Captain James Cook statue on Sheridan Street to relocate to Mount Molloy
It’s presided over Sheridan St for 50 years, now this divisive landmark will be relocated for the bargain price of $1.
Cairns
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ONE of the Far North’s most iconic landmarks has found a new home after standing proud in Cairns for half a century.
Preparations are underway to remove the imposing and controversial statue of Captain James Cook and transport it to a property in Mount Molloy where its new owner plans to restore it “to its former glory.”
James Cook University Campus Director David Craig said Cairns resident Martin Anton had made a successful bid for the Sheridan Street behemoth.
Mr Anton, a demolition contractor and recycler based in Machans Beach, said the statue would be repaired, repainted and restored on his company’s property, if it can be safely removed.
“It’s been standing on Sheridan Street for 50 years, and regrettably we don’t have reliable, detailed information on its engineering and construction,” he said.
“Almost anything could happen when we try to move the statue. Is it hollow or solid core filled?
Mr Anton said the statue would be “forensically examined by structural engineers” before it makes the 102km trip to Mount Molloy, north west of Cairns.
“What I do know is that we will do our utmost to carefully move the statue off site, with the intention of restoring it to its former glory.”
The figure has been at the centre of much controversy in long history, most recently by protesters demanding it be torn down due to cultural insensitivity.
Beyond simply the divisive figure Captain Cook represented and his part in Australia’s colonial history, petitioners argued it was a slap in the face to have such a large statue of someone who appeared to be doing a “Nazi salute”.
Dr Craig said the University received no proposals that involved relocating the statue within Cairns.
They would receive “a token payment of one dollar” for the statue, with Mr Anton responsible for all costs relating to its removal.
“The University’s focus now is on the continuing clearance of the site, in preparation for the construction of CTEC – the Cairns Tropical Enterprise Centre – which will accommodate teaching and research in medicine, allied health and related areas,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the often passionate discussion over the statue’s future.
“We recognise there’s a range of strongly held views and we have sought an outcome that is respectful of those differences.”
Site work will be conducted at the Sheridan Street site in the coming weeks.
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Originally published as Captain James Cook statue on Sheridan Street to relocate to Mount Molloy
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