State government announces $3m for Gordonvale’s Kenrick Park, but someone forgot to tell council the good news
The Far North’s top advocacy bodies gave their wish lists to the state government last week during regional parliament. Here’s the funding commitments the region got, and those it missed out on.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The state government will give Cairns Regional Council $3m to redevelop Gordonvale’s Kenrick Park, but they just forgot to tell council the good news.
The city’s top advocacy bodies — including the council, Advance Cairns and TTNQ – all wrote their wishlists for the state government prior to their Far North visit for last week’s regional parliament sitting.
The state government answered by making more than $60m worth of infrastructure and economic development commitments for Cairns alone.
Two of the council’s four priorities were delivered.
On Thursday the state government announced $935,000 for the Trinity Beach Community Activity Space, which council spokesman said would create 24 local jobs during construction, due to begin in the 2023/24 financial year.
But deputy premier Steven Miles also snuck in a $3m promise for Kenrick Park’s redevelopment in Thursday’s parliament sitting, a fact unknown to the council until Monday.
The park’s redevelopment is also due to begin in the 2023/24 financial year with $6m of initial capital funding.
White Rock’s planned multicultural centre and design work for the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail were overlooked, but Cairns mayor Bob Manning said he wasn’t too upset about the omissions.
“I never thought (regional parliament) would be a gravy pit. We’ve got a budget coming up, and an election. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of these announcements were made down the track,” Cr Manning said.
Key TTNQ agenda items such as Smithfield Mountain Bike Park’s expansion and securing Crankworx beyond 2024 were other overlooked funding requests.
But the city’s maritime industry scored massive wins when $39m was set aside for infrastructure upgrades at Cairns Marine Precinct, plus $16m to expand the marine campus college at the city’s TAFE, an Advance Cairns advocacy priority.
Cairns MP Michael Healy said the government’s spending aimed to help Cairns diversify its economy.
“Whenever tourism took a hit, Cairns took a hit,” Mr Healy said.
“Cairns Marine Precinct has now benefited from almost half a billion dollars in funding. That’s fantastic. We needed to diversify our economy and this contributes.”
Mr Healy said he was still supportive of tourism projects such as Smithfield’s mountain bike park expansion, but more time was needed to work through complexities.
“Mountain biking and tourism walking tracks are clearly strong tourism drawcards … but there are some challenges to be worked out, such as who will be responsible for maintenance,” he said.
“We’re still working out how councils, the private sector and government departments will work together to achieve the best outcome. I’m confident we’ll get there.”
Advance Cairns also sought a $100,000 commitment from the state government for a local defence industry strategy, but missed out.
Advance Cairns CEO Jacinta Reddan said the week was still a “big win” for the region.
“We are pleased to see a strong focus on investing in our marine precinct,” Ms Reddan said.
“This investment … ensures the Cairns economy continues to diversify.
“We will continue to push for funding for the development of a Defence Industry Strategy which we believe is key to making sure the region is well placed to optimise the investment in the marine precinct.”
FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC) wanted a $20m commitment to fund a Kuranda Range Rd study, plus a solid promise from the state to prioritise housing in remote Indigenous communities.
Both asks were not answered.
Douglas Shire mayor and FNQROC chair Michael Kerr said the regional parliament sitting benefited the region but the state government had a reasonable opportunity to make more commitments.
“We’re still pushing hard for the Kuranda Range Road study. Now is the time to do this work. The longer we leave it, the more expensive and harder it’s going to get,” he said.
Cr Kerr said some Indigenous communities were desperate for a housing solution.
“(There are some communities) that have 20 people in a house. If we want to address youth crime and health issues, we have to be realistic about how overcrowded houses are contributing,” he said.
“It’s good we had announcements on the Path to Treaty and a possible First Nations cultural centre, but those things aren’t going to help right now. We need to address housing.”
The Torres Strait Islands and Northern Cape York region benefited from the largest single funding announcement: $288m for two new aeromedical helicopters and supporting health staff.
Cairns’s social and support work sector also benefited from a $22.9m commitment to a domestic violence co-response trial, plus the establishment of a $4m sport and recreation fund aimed at ameliorating youth crime rates.
But one keystone FNQ project, which has gathered a blanket of dust over five years, was kept off the lips of all parliamentarians: the $47.1m Wangetti Trail.
The project appeared lifeless after it was revealed state government infighting had pressed it firmly into mud underfoot.
But Michael Healy said meetings between key stakeholders were held during the parliament week which delivered the project a huge adrenaline shot.
“I expect positive announcements will be made within the next four to six weeks,” he said.
More Coverage
Originally published as State government announces $3m for Gordonvale’s Kenrick Park, but someone forgot to tell council the good news
Your ultimate guide to every gun club in Queensland
A new public shooting gallery catering to unlicensed shooters as young as 11 has opened as firearm sports experience a surge in popularity. See our exclusive list of all gun clubs in Queensland.
Revealed: The unusual arrangement in accused MP’s ‘toxic’ office
An employee in the office of an accused bully MP is one of only four to have reached confidential settlements in the last term of government, new data has revealed.