The proposed land use pattern for the region aims to consolidate growth within existing urban centres and discourage the establishment of satellite suburbs around major towns. This will help provide infrastructure more efficiently and effectively, reduce fragmentation of rural lands and improve energy efficiency by reducing travel distances between home and work.

Based on the draft regional plan, around 70% of the predicted 100,000 new residents will settle in Cairns, with the highest growth west of the Bruce Highway in the southern growth corridor between Edmonton and Gordonvale. Growth will also be accommodated in existing urban areas of Cairns.

The main growth outside Cairns is anticipated to occur in Mareeba, Atherton, Innisfail, and to a lesser extent Tully and Mossman.  By 2025, Mareeba is expected to become a major centre for the Tablelands. Mareeba, Atherton and Innisfail are anticipated to experience population growth of up to 50%. Tully is anticipated to have similar growth but from a smaller population base, while Mossman will grow but at a slower rate than other centres.

To implement this development plan, all land in FNQ has been put into categories:

• urban footprint
• rural living area  
• regional landscape and rural production area.