General News
6 April, 2026
Cardwell flats safe for now
CASSOWARY COAST Regional Council has confirmed that it will not be selling off housing it owns in Cardwell just yet.
This follows speculation on social media that some individual units could either not be used for accommodation anymore due to asbestos issues or were awaiting redevelopment.
Last October council advertised it would be “divesting” its community housing portfolio – which includes properties in Innisfail, Tully and Cardwell – and invited expressions of interest from registered community housing providers to buy them.
Those expressions for the first stage of divestment involved one or two bedroom units (16 in total), six duplexes and four houses in Innisfail and five units and a house in Tully – with council estimating savings of more than $50,000 a year.
But council says none of its Cardwell properties are for sale just yet.
“The Cardwell community housing properties on Victoria, Bowen and Eden streets are not included in council’s initial stage of housing divestment,” a council spokeswoman said.
“Asbestos, where present, is managed in accordance with property-specific asbestos management plans, consistent with regulatory requirements,” she added.
“Council is currently assessing submissions for the first stage of divestment of freehold-funded properties, which has attracted a strong level of interest and a high number of quality submissions.
“Council’s long-term intent is to divest its community housing portfolio, with further stages to be considered following the completion of the current assessment process.”
Mayor Teresa Millwood said at the time of the divestment initial stage that council was committed to ensuring a process which would make for a “smooth transition for existing community housing tenants with minimal impact or disruption.”
Council-owned community housing in Cardwell is believed to have been built in the 1970s and 1980s.
“Originally built as accommodation for pensioner housing,” Facebook poster Errol Eadie commented. “Basic bed sitter with facilities. They were fibro-sheeted that did contain asbestos which is safe provided it was painted and not disturbed or broken,” he said.
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