A Cairns Esplanade icon is celebrating 20 years of staying afloat
A key public project which transformed the Esplanade foreshore into the iconic tourist attraction it is today has celebrated its 20th birthday.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A key public project which transformed the Esplanade foreshore into the iconic tourist attraction it is today has celebrated its 20th birthday.
City councillors past and present gathered to celebrate the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon’s two decades on Tuesday morning.
Officially opened on March 29, 2003, the beloved city jewel is an enduring testament to what can be achieved when different levels of government work together, according to Cairns Mayor Bob Manning.
He recalled discussions of making the facility pay-for-use back then, which ultimately did not come to fruition.
“I know at the time there was some resistance to this vision, but 20 years on, I don’t think you would find too many people who could argue about the value it has added to our city,” Cr Manning said.
“Credit needs to go to former Mayors Tom Pyne and Kevin Byrne and their respective councils for their foresight and vision in transforming the Cairns Esplanade into the iconic destination it is today.”
Former Mayor Kevin Byrne said the idea to integrate land and city elements was inspired by the American city of Boston and recalled the ideation meeting years ago at a seafood restaurant in Darling Harbour with a big sheet of paper and pencils over coffee and wine.
“This was the second big project that really internationalised Cairns, after the opening of Cairns International Airport,” he said.
Cr Byrne acknowledged the support from federal and state government, praised the ports authorities of the time and said “the drive to get the job done” would make him wake up with a spring in his step every morning.
As part of 20th birthday celebrations, Council will be holding a free family event at the Lagoon from 3pm to 9pm on Saturday, featuring free admission to the Reef Eye Ferris Wheel, live entertainment, children’s activities, and the screening of the movie Clifford the Big Red Dog.
More Coverage
Originally published as A Cairns Esplanade icon is celebrating 20 years of staying afloat
‘We can’t fall apart now’: Mud army mobilised for Cardwell clean up
Questions have been raised about how a Far North council has managed a Cardwell flood disaster as residents now start out on the long road to recovery by moving mountains of waterlogged possessions and mucking out homes coated in mud.
Cairns FM89.1 celebrates four decades riding the airwaves
ON February 8, 1985, Cairns made radio history when it launched its first local High Fidelity Stereo FM station – 4CCR – now Cairns FM89.1, 40 years later the team are still thriving as ‘the voices of the community’ across our airwaves.