Major funding boost for Barlow Park fuels Cairns’ Olympic, NRL dreams

Cairns’ NRL dreams and hopes of playing a significant role in the 2032 Olympics have been bolstered by a commitment to fund a multimillion-dollar makeover of one of the city’s major sporting stadiums.

Barlow Park will be revamped as part of a $44m upgrade to the Cairns multi-sports venue's facilities.

Cairns’ NRL dreams and hopes of playing a significant role in the 2032 Olympics have been bolstered by a commitment to fund a multimillion-dollar makeover of one of the city’s major sporting stadiums.

It’s estimated that more than $44m of state government funds will be spent upgrading facilities at Barlow Park, in a bid to attract more major domestic and international events to the region.

An exact figure won’t be determined until further reports are completed, given rising construction costs, a government source said.

Federal government funding for the project has yet to be finalised.

Barlow Park will host preliminary soccer matches during the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

The development will add momentum to the joint Cairns-PNG NRL bid and ensure the Far North benefits from the Games being staged in the Sunshine State, Tourism and Sports Minister Michael Healy said.

“The Cairns community enjoys an active lifestyle, and the city has long been a destination for elite athletes and teams to train in the Far North including the Australian Dolphins swim team,” Mr Healy said.

“I’d like to see Cairns become a home for talented young athletes, in particular female and Indigenous athletes from across regional Queensland, and I fully support PNG’s NRL bid to base their team in our city.”

Improved infrastructure will enhance Cairns’ chances of becoming a hub for a future PNG NRL team with the advantage of direct flights to Port Moresby, mayor Amy Eden said.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for Cairns to play a role in strengthening the relationship between our region, Australia and PNG through a shared passion for rugby league,” Ms Eden said.

“Residents may have noticed works to improve Barlow Park have already started with progress being made on a $10.9m upgrade of the lights to ensure they meet television broadcast standards, which was supported by state government funding of $4m.”

Under the revamp, Barlow Park’s seating capacity will almost triple from around 1700 to 5000, with improved amenities and better equipment for athletes and the public.

Barlow Park is currently earmarked to host preliminary soccer matches with 20,000 spectator seats – 15,000 of which will be temporary seats – as part of the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Up to 5,000 fans will be able to pack into Barlow Park's grandstand once works on the venue have been completed.

“Hosting Olympic football in 2032 will be great for our city, but more importantly for Cairns, these upgrades will deliver a legacy our community benefits from both before and long after the Games have come to town,” Ms Eden said.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the state government in delivering these upgrades, which will result in a modernised and more spectator-friendly sporting facility, which retains the athletics track while having greater appeal to world-class events, carnivals, training camps, especially for sports such as rugby league, rugby union and football (soccer).”

In March, the Cairns Post exclusively reported on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s desire for a PNG NRL team to have an administrative base in Cairns.

During the local government elections, Ms Eden said she supported the city’s joint NRL bid provided it was cost neutral for council.

Works on Barlow Park are expected to be completed by late 2027.

Originally published as Major funding boost for Barlow Park fuels Cairns’ Olympic, NRL dreams