Cairns Global Tourism Hub dead: Mayor Bob Manning says development over

Mayor Bob Manning has declared the Global Tourism Hub dead after receiving a piece of important advice from State Government officials.

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MAYOR Bob Manning has declared the Global Tourism Hub dead after being told by authorities within the State Government to “stop worrying about it”.

The issue of the waterfront project’s strongly suspected demise was raised at this week’s Cairns Regional Council meeting by Division 6 Cr Linda Cooper, who is running for the LNP in Barron River at the next state election.

GLOBAL TOURISM HUB A ‘DEAD DUCK’: CRISAFULLI

She argued Tourism Minister Kate Jones’ suggestion at the Cairns Post’s recent Future Tourism forum the project was at risk of being cancelled due to the impact of coronavirus.

An aerial view of the area earmarked for the Tropical North Global Tourism Hub in Cairns. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

“We actually had a session in September with (Department of Innovation and Tourism Industry Development projects chief executive) David Edwards advising about the single proponent, which was six months before there was an issue with coronavirus,” she said.

Cr Manning suggested councillors do away with any thoughts of the project going ahead.

“For better or for worse, I sometimes get a chance to soar with eagles – but only for a very short period of time,” he said.

“I’ve been given a very clear message.

“There is nothing, and I will stake my reputation on that.

“Whether the government can be persuaded to resurrect it, only time will tell.

“But I’m advised to stop thinking about it, stop worrying about it, it’s not going to happen.

“And I’ve always held the view this was never going to get off the ground.”

Division 9 Cr Brett Olds joked he was a great admirer of Ms Jones’s viral defence.

“I’ve been using it all the time,” he said.

“My wife asked my why I didn’t take the trash out the other night and I said, ‘Love, I’ve got to be honest, it’s because of coronavirus’.”

Originally published as Cairns Global Tourism Hub dead: Mayor Bob Manning says development over