Annual report reviews Council's actions in 2023/24 financial year

It was a year that will go into the record books.

The 2023/24 financial year brought with it the heartbreaking devastation of a record-breaking flood, the awarding of Council’s biggest ever contract, and three different mayors.

And what was Council doing in that time?

As outlined in the Annual Report tabled at Council today, here’s a few actions and activities delivered by Council in the 2023/24 financial year:

• $137 million investment in infrastructure which directly added 312 local construction jobs and indirectly supported another 800
• In collaboration with TEQ and TTNQ, supported the delivery of three major sporting events – the UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, Crankworx Cairns and IRONMAN Cairns – which injected $23.6 million into the local economy
• Completed the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail from Kewarra Beach to Clifton Beach
• Implemented key recommendations from the Babinda Boulders Safety Audit, including installation of updated signage with graphics illustrating the dangers of the waterway
• Activated its Public Space Safety team, with suburban patrols used to identify and act upon matters of anti-social, illegal or undesirable behaviours.
• Progressed the development of the Cairns Gallery Precinct, with refurbishment of the Mulgrave Gallery on the Esplanade into a gallery.

That’s not all we did, over the year we delivered 71% of the 28 initiatives outlined in the Operational Plan 2023/24. The remaining 29% of initiatives will continue to be addressed as part of our business-as-usual activities.

These 28 key initiatives/actions aim to deliver the five strategic goals outlined in Council’s Corporate Plan 2021-2026 – supporting a diversified and robust economy; protecting and enhancing our natural environment; creating a safe, sustainable and connected place; fostering community and culture; and being a lead in local government.