Community consultation will be conducted next year after Cairns Regional Council proposed to open Lake Street in the Cairns CBD to through traffic.

The proposal involves the refurbishment of Lake Street between Spence and Aplin Streets, including the construction of a two-lane roadway through City Place. The area would be a low-speed shared zone for ease of pedestrian movement.

In the new year, the proposal will be put to businesspeople, stakeholders and the general public before any detailed design takes place.

“We will prepare a concept design, which we will put to the public for their feedback,” Acting Mayor Terry James said.

“It is important that any changes are determined with the input of the people who use Lake Street and City Place – be it as a shop owner, motorist, bus passenger or pedestrian.”

The concept plan will include an upgraded bus transit station located to the north of City Place.

“The use of Lake Street as a bus interchange is important to many businesses and we need to come up with the safest, most practical and beneficial option,” Cr James said.

The concept plan is expected to be released for comment early in early 2013.