Published Thursday 7 April 2016

Cairns’ plans of creating a ‘city in a rainforest’ by bringing elements of its natural environment into the CBD, is taking shape.

The fences have come down in Shields Street, revealing a tropical oasis in the centre of Cairns’ CBD.

Stage 1 of the Shields Street Heart project is nearing completion, with landscaped mounds, attractive porphyry paving and tropical garden beds now dominating the pedestrian mall-style thoroughfare between Lake and Grafton Streets.

With the addition of 2391 plantings, including 23 palms and 19 large trees, the space brings a rainforest atmosphere into this key section of the city centre.

“Through tropical urbanism, we are creating a cool and inviting city centre that encourages pedestrians to explore and enjoy their surrounds,” said Mayor Bob Manning.

“There is still some work to do on the landscaping, public art and minor installations but the construction is now substantially finished.

“Public art will be added during the next three months, including mosaic tiling to the walls of raised garden beds, sculptures and bicycle racks featuring leaf, yam and vine embellishments.

“All the artworks are designed by Indigenous artists, reflecting the history of our region,” said Manning. The project is expected to be completed in July.