Cairns Economic Monitor - February 2026
Cairns is entering 2026 facing familiar national pressures, with inflation remaining high, economic growth slow, and interest rates expected to rise. Yet despite these headwinds, local experts say the region remains resilient, with major projects, a recovering tourism sector and strong population growth providing a foundation for the future.
In the last month there’s been strong momentum on some major projects across the region, including the $1B Cairns Hospital expansion and the $450M Mount Peter Priority Development Area.
It’s great to see more large, job creating developments potentially coming online, projects that will not only support employment but also deliver improved health care and much needed land supply to help ease the region’s tight vacancy rates. These kinds of investments are critical to the sustainable long term growth and liveability of Cairns.