Cairns high performance centre: Qld 2025 budget funding in serious doubt

State funding for an elite new Cairns sporting facility is in serious doubt with the LNP refusing to commit to the project ahead of Tuesday’s budget.

Artists rendition of Cairns Community, Development and High Performance Centre. Picture: supplied.

State funding for a $40m Cairns high performance centre is in serious doubt with the LNP refusing to commit to the project ahead of Tuesday’s budget.

Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith pledged $15m towards the project during his election campaign earlier this year with the North Queensland Cowboys locked in to spend $10m to build the elite facility, accommodating the club’s relocated NRLW team.

The Cowboys had hoped the Crisafulli government would tip in an additional $15m, matching the cost of the club’s $40m centre in Townsville, which opened in 2021.

But that is now in doubt with key LNP figures refusing to back the project.

The Cowboys high performance training centre in Cairns could fall short of the Townsville facility without state government investment. Picture: supplied.

The funding shortfall won’t affect the move with the NRL powerhouse having previously declared that it is committed to establishing its women’s program in the Far North from 2027.

Cairns MP Michael Healy, who committed $15m towards the centre during the state election, said the funding disparity between the north’s two major cities showed the LNP “doesn’t want to invest in sport up here”.

“If the state government were willing to invest in the Far North, we would not only be able to have a high performance centre for the Cowboys women’s team, it would be also utilised by both the universities here (for training and education),” he said.

Michael Healy, now in opposition, making the announcement for a sporting centre of excellence at Barlow Park with former Australian 100 metre champion Otis Gowa, during the 2024 state election. Picture: Stephen Harman

When asked about a contribution towards the high performance centre, Member for Barron River Bree James said the city already had similar facilities.

“In the end, it’s a Cowboys decision and it’s their club that they want to invest into having the team here and having that facility,” Ms James said.

“So for them, the business case stacks up and they definitely want to have that high performance facility here.”
Asked if the business case stacked up for her and her government, Ms James said her analysis would include a trip to Townsville.

Brothers Rugby League Football Club in June completed a $12m upgrade of Stan Williams Park including a new clubhouse and grandstand. It has now received $6m from the state government for additional stage 2 upgrades. Brothers Rugby League Club's head of football Tim Rumford, Brothers Cairns chairman Stephen Widt, Barron River MP Bree James and Brothers Cairns chief executive Ed Camilleri.

“I haven’t seen everything,” she said.

“I have tried to organise a trip to Townsville to go and check out the facility down there because I want to see it and see the vision that they’ve got.

“I’m someone that’s a big picture thinker and in the end, they’ve got skin in the game.

“I’ll back people that have got skin in the game every day.”

The Townsville training facility received $5m from the state, $15m from the federal government in 2021 with a $20m Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility loan.

The Cowboys were contacted, but could not be reached for comment.

Originally published as Cairns high performance centre: Qld 2025 budget funding in serious doubt