General News
17 September, 2026
Housing deadlock
A 10-room, wheelchair-accessible retirement facility in the heart of Babinda remains sitting empty despite Far North Queensland being gripped by an ongoing housing crisis – as local, state and non-profit stakeholders remain locked in a multi-year legal stalemate.
A 10-room, wheelchair-accessible retirement facility in the heart of Babinda remains sitting empty despite Far North Queensland being gripped by an ongoing housing crisis – as local, state and non-profit stakeholders remain locked in a multi-year legal stalemate.
The Cootharinga Gardens complex – which features 10 ensuite studio rooms and a caretaker’s unit – has been untenanted since January 2026.
Originally funded in 1999 under a long-term community housing program, the property is subject to a complex web of governance, including a 2017 contract of sale, a capital funding agreement and a deed of covenant involving Cairns Regional Council, the state government and site owner Cootharinga North Queensland (CNQ).
The ongoing deadlock reached the floor of Queensland Parliament, where Member for Hill Shane Knuth challenged Housing Minister Sam O’Connor over the years of delay.
Mr Knuth, who has lobbied alongside Fred Lizzio and Christine Norman of the Babinda Aged Care Association, questioned why residences remain empty when alternative community housing providers had already been identified to take over operations.
“We have a housing crisis, we have 10 residences sitting empty in Babinda ... yet somehow the department has managed to turn what should be a straightforward solution into years of red tape, meetings and bureaucratic buck-passing,” Mr Knuth said.
He called on the minister to order his department to sit down with all parties to facilitate an immediate transfer.
In response, Mr O’Connor pointed to legal provisions giving Cairns Regional Council sole authority over the property’s next steps.
“Under the surviving terms of the contract of sale ... council is responsible for determining the future use of the property, including whether it is to be transferred back to council or to another provider,” Mr O’Connor said in Parliament.
He disclosed that Crown Law issued a formal response to council’s due diligence and transfer-back matters and the state is currently awaiting council’s direction.
“The state is ready to go, but once again, we are waiting for the Cairns Regional Council to make a decision ... I would strongly encourage the Cairns Regional Council to make that decision as soon as possible.”
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden acknowledged the frustration but noted that resolving the site involves navigating significant legal, financial and structural hurdles, including bringing the building up to modern fire safety standards.
“This is not a matter that sits with any one party,” Cr Eden said.
“Council has an interest in the land, the state has an interest in the building and CNQ owns the facility,” she said.
“Any lasting solution will require those interests to be resolved together.”
While all parties maintain they want the site reopened for elderly residents, the facility remains locked, leaving locals waiting for a breakthrough.
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