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Cairns local government area

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Area homepage: www.cairns.qld.gov.au

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Based on wetland mapping version 7.0

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Cairns local government area wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 16,113 100.0% 9.5%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 13,881 86.2% 8.2%
Artificial and highly modified 2,131 13.2% 1.3%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 5,973 37.1% 3.5%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 165 1.0% 0.1%
Lacustrine (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 18 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 5,585 34.7% 3.3%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 10 0.1% 0.0%
Riverine 2,231 13.8% 1.3%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 5,973 37.1% 3.5%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 165 1.0% 0.1%
Lacustrine (artificial) 169 1.0% 0.1%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 383 2.4% 0.2%
Lacustrine (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 18 0.1% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) < 1 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 1,579 9.8% 0.9%
Palustrine (natural) 5,585 34.7% 3.3%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 10 0.1% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 2,231 13.8% 1.3%
Riverine (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Cairns local government area wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 11,700 100.0% 6.9%
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 5,716 48.9% 3.4%
Salt marsh and salt flats 389 3.3% 0.2%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 525 4.5% 0.3%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 17 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 3,462 29.6% 2.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 386 3.3% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 19 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 21 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 1,166 10.0% 0.7%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 5,553 47.5% 3.3%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 163 1.4% 0.1%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 389 3.3% 0.2%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 523 4.5% 0.3%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 17 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 3,461 29.6% 2.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 1 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 381 3.3% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 5 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 19 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 21 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 1,164 9.9% 0.7%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 2 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Cairns local government area wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 16,113 16,109 16,098 16,090 16,094 16,067 16,088 25,456 * 54.9%
Artificial and highly modified 2,131 2,123 2,106 2,091 2,098 2,074 2,073 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 5,973 5,973 5,973 5,973 5,972 5,971 5,973 6,868 87.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 165 165 165 165 166 166 169 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 18 18 22 22 19 5 3 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 5,585 5,585 5,585 5,590 5,593 5,600 5,610 12,359 45.2%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 n/a
Riverine 2,231 2,236 2,236 2,239 2,235 2,240 2,249 6,229 35.8%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 5,973 5,973 5,973 5,973 5,972 5,971 5,973 6,868 87.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 165 165 165 165 166 166 169 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 169 161 145 130 137 117 117 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 383 383 383 383 383 378 378 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 18 18 22 22 19 5 3 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 < 1 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 1,579 1,579 1,579 1,579 1,579 1,579 1,579 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 5,585 5,585 5,585 5,590 5,593 5,600 5,610 12,359 45.2%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 2,231 2,236 2,236 2,239 2,235 2,240 2,249 6,229 35.8%
Riverine (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Cairns local government area wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 11,700 11,700 11,700 11,705 11,708 11,715 11,730
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other 5,716 5,716 5,716 5,716 5,716 5,715 5,723
Salt marsh and salt flats 389 389 389 389 389 389 387
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 525 525 525 525 525 529 532
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 3,462 3,462 3,462 3,466 3,468 3,470 3,478
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 386 386 386 386 386 386 386
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 21 21 21 21 21 21 21
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 1,166 1,166 1,166 1,167 1,168 1,169 1,169
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 5,553 5,553 5,553 5,553 5,552 5,551 5,556
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 163 163 163 163 164 164 167
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 389 389 389 389 389 389 387
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 523 523 523 523 523 527 530
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 17 17 17 17 17 17 17
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 3,461 3,461 3,461 3,465 3,466 3,469 3,476
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 381 381 381 381 381 381 381
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 21 21 21 21 21 21 21
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 1,164 1,164 1,164 1,165 1,167 1,167 1,167
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Cairns local government area land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 169,174 99.9%
1.1 Nature conservation 80,959 47.8%
1.1.3 National park 77,075 45.5%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 684 0.4%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 3,200 1.9%
3.3 Cropping 26,003 15.4%
3.3.0 Cropping 18 0.0%
3.3.4 Oilseeds 3 0.0%
3.3.5 Sugar 25,982 15.3%
1.3 Other minimal use 21,926 12.9%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 1,257 0.7%
1.3.1 Defence 188 0.1%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 20,481 12.1%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 9,425 5.6%
5.4.1 Urban residential 5,920 3.5%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 1,306 0.8%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 2,197 1.3%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 1 0.0%
1.2 Managed resource protection 8,329 4.9%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 8,329 4.9%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 7,647 4.5%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 7,647 4.5%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 5,204 3.1%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 5,204 3.1%
5.5 Services 2,799 1.7%
5.5.0 Services 4 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 732 0.4%
5.5.2 Public services 580 0.3%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 1,456 0.9%
5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban 27 0.0%
6.3 River 2,174 1.3%
6.3.0 River 1,991 1.2%
6.3.1 River - conservation 157 0.1%
6.3.3 River - intensive use 27 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture 1,301 0.8%
4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture 49 0.0%
4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits 1,252 0.7%
3.2 Grazing modified pastures 785 0.5%
3.2.0 Grazing modified pastures 785 0.5%
5.7 Transport and communication 644 0.4%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 389 0.2%
5.7.2 Roads 164 0.1%
5.7.3 Railways 16 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport 31 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 45 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 408 0.2%
3.6.0 Land in transition 339 0.2%
3.6.1 Degraded land 20 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation 43 0.0%
3.6.4 No defined use 1 0.0%
3.6.5 Abandoned perennial horticulture 5 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 359 0.2%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 350 0.2%
5.3.1 General purpose factory 9 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 355 0.2%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 46 0.0%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 310 0.2%
5.8 Mining 217 0.1%
5.8.0 Mining 77 0.0%
5.8.2 Quarries 124 0.1%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use 16 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 183 0.1%
5.2.3 Poultry farms 6 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture 61 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs 99 0.1%
5.2.8 Abandoned intensive animal husbandry 17 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 124 0.1%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 96 0.1%
3.1.1 Hardwood plantation forestry 24 0.0%
3.1.2 Softwood plantation forestry 4 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 78 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 53 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill 17 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 8 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture 71 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture 69 0.0%
5.1.5 Abandoned intensive horticulture 2 0.0%
6.1 Lake 58 0.0%
6.1.0 Lake 23 0.0%
6.1.3 Lake - intensive use 35 0.0%
4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 58 0.0%
4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 9 0.0%
4.5.4 Irrigated turf farming 48 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 42 0.0%
5.6.2 Hydro electricity generation 2 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 15 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 25 0.0%
3.4 Perennial horticulture 9 0.0%
3.4.0 Perennial horticulture 4 0.0%
3.4.1 Tree fruits 5 0.0%
3.5 Seasonal horticulture 6 0.0%
3.5.0 Seasonal horticulture 6 0.0%
2.2 Production native forests 5 0.0%
2.2.0 Production native forests 5 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 3 0.0%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping 3 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 4,113 478 419 220 4,593
Animals 835 33 227 73 868
Mammals 97 10 8 19 107
Birds 418 9 93 33 427
Reptiles 118 2 20 6 120
Amphibians 50 1 15 9 51
Ray-finned fishes 59 6 64 5 65
Cartilaginous fishes 15 0 15 0 15
Insects 75 5 12 1 80
Malacostracans 1 0 0 0 1
Arachnids 2 0 0 0 2
Bacteria 2 0 0 0 2
Chromists 6 0 0 0 6
Fungi 453 0 0 0 453
Plants 2,816 445 192 147 3,263
Protozoans 1 0 0 0 1

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-lga

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Cairns local government area — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/lga-cairns/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation