Cairns Showground masterplan: Ekka-isation plan flagged for redevelopment
Cairns Show stalwarts are bristling at a suggestion their historic home needs to be “Ekka-ised” amid fears a redevelopment mindset could be pushed too far.
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CAIRNS Show stalwarts are bristling at a suggestion their historic home needs to be “Ekka-ised” amid fears a redevelopment mindset could be pushed too far.
Mayor Bob Manning spoke at an Accommodation Association forum at the Hilton last week and touched on the Cairns Showground’s apparent underuse for a land parcel of its size.
He coined the term “Ekka-isation” while outlining plans to keep the Cairns Show in its place while carving up the property for additional uses.
Cr Manning has since said no firm plans had been agreed upon.
However, volunteers have baulked at the threat of overdevelopment with concerns apartment towers, stadiums and other projects would threaten too many proud traditions.
“For the betterment of Cairns, the city and region, council continues to explore the development of the Barlow Park-Showgrounds site,” Cr Manning said.
“Through foresight and planning, we are looking to contemporise this public asset with an intent to accommodate current uses in the best possible way and safeguard the long-term sustainability of the precinct.
“A number of options are being considered, including a small to medium, fit-for-purpose stadium, capable of attracting leading sports and entertainment events, while still accommodating local needs.”
Cr Manning said the showground would be a key component of the wider stadium precinct and could wind up with complementary facilities, services and connections to ensure national and international-scale events could be hosted.
“However, detailed options will need to be formally presented to myself and councillors before an endorsed council position can be reached,” he said.
“The reference to the ‘Ekka-isation’ relates only to the process, with the redevelopment of the Brisbane Showgrounds used as example.”
Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds are edging towards the end of a 15-year transformation worth $2.9bn, launched in 2011 to economically rationalise the facility.
It will be the largest brownfield development of its type in Australia with 340,000sq m of new residential, commercial and retail buildings and 76,000sq m of new showground development.
It includes the swanky The Yards and The Green apartment towers and a 4.5-star Rydges hotel with 208 rooms.
The project is primarily funded through Lendlease and through a $65m loan from the Queensland Treasury Corporation.
The regeneration project is predicted to deliver $300m per year in economic benefits to Queensland and support more than 2000 jobs.
Cairns Show Society secretary and manager Ian Moller-Nielsen said the organisation had big plans but they were very different to those of Brisbane.
He said Mackay had also gone down the on-site apartments route.
“While it may suit their properties, there is no way in the world the Cairns Showgrounds are looking at anything like that,” he said.
The biggest issue currently facing the Cairns Show is its three-year interim lease with Cairns Regional Council which expires in October.
The organisation is pursuing a 20-year lease so it can secure grants and invest big money into the facility.
Hopes have been buoyed by Brothers Leagues Club’s recent receipt of a 30-year lease, paving the way for $12m in upgrades to its Stan Williams Park facility in Manunda.
“We’re in the final stages of our business development plan for the whole lot,” Mr Moller-Nielsen said.
“I believe we have met all the steps we had to with regard to the lease, it’s just a matter of time and council voting on it.
“It was ready by mid-November last year.”
The works flagged in the masterplan are worth about $35m.
The Cairns Show Society wants to overhaul Fred Moule Pavilion by adding an extra storey, commercial kitchens and DJ facilities with the end goal of launching it as a full-time members’ clubhouse.
A new “eat street” dining precinct has been flagged including an enhanced Mulgrave Rd frontage with space for pop-up restaurants and food vans to operate during events.
The Fearnley Street Canal – currently a dirty drain running through the precinct – is earmarked to become a “tropical public space with broad appeal” including an esplanade, pedestrian and cycling paths and attractive landscaping.
It also wants to establish a permanent camping ground and RV park on the site.
“Cairns Showground is one of the few showgrounds in Australia where you’re not allowed to camp except if there’s an event on,” Mr Moller-Nielsen said.
“You’ve just got to look at the Mareeba Rodeo grounds to see how well utilised it is there.”
That dream may not eventuate if the council goes opts to carve off showground land to house a new athletics facility as part of Barlow Park’s rectangular stadium redevelopment.
Whatever happens, Mr Moller-Nielsen was adamant.
“We don’t want to become the Ekka,” he said.
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