Cairns rectangular sports stadium bid finally gains traction ahead of 2032 Olympics

The city’s stadium dreams are finally taking a step forward with tens of millions of dollars on the table and high hopes for much more.

THE city’s stadium dreams are finally taking a step forward with tens of millions of dollars on the table and high hopes for much more.

The State Government has flagged a $40m-plus allocation to Cairns as a 2032 Olympics satellite city with Barlow Park earmarked for major grandstand and lighting upgrades.

It is still only a broad proposal and key proponents are urging Cairns Regional Council to aim higher.

The investment would result in a drastic improvement on the existing Barlow Park but would not deliver the true rectangular stadium required to get national and international-level games of rugby, football and other sports to Cairns.

That would require about $120m and result in Cairns Athletics relocating to a new facility and likely the current BMX precinct on Scott St finding a new home.

One thing is clear.

Nothing will happen unless the council, which owns Barlow Park, drives the project or steps aside to let someone else take over.

Equally, nothing will happen if local, state and federal politicians are not singing from the same hymn sheet.

Council CEO Mica Martin said discussions had kicked off with the Palaszczuk Government.

“Cairns is being considered as a satellite venue for football games during the 2032 Olympics, and we are in ongoing discussions with the Queensland Government regarding associated legacy funding or infrastructure,” she said.

“In this context, council is now considering the potential for a fit-for-purpose rectangular stadium and the associated benefits for the city.”

Councillors were given a briefing on the state government’s position last week.

“As part of that process, councillors have received preliminary information relating to the Barlow Park precinct and the city’s participation in the Games,” Ms Martin said.

“The next step will be for council to engage with key external stakeholders to move toward consensus on proposed direction.

“However, council’s focus remains on securing $215m in federal and state government funding to secure our city’s water supply into the next decade, and that remains our number one priority.”

Enterprise North chief Kevin Byrne. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

That tentative water-comes-first enthusiasm does not sit well with Enterprise North chief Kevin Byrne, who has put together a working group to prosecute the $120m stadium case.

He said Mayor Bob Manning’s on-again-off-again ardour was the chief sticking point in the arena pursuit.

“Council could walk and chew gum with this,” he said.

The other issue has been a lack of accord on a location.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch previously backed a block of land on Hartley St, but now agrees Barlow Park is the only option.

“Originally, it seemed there was no way through with the athletics,” he said.

“But I’ve now got a letter from the president of Cairns Athletics very clearly saying what they want.

“If we’re smart, this will provide us a world-class relocated BMX track, a world-class upgraded athletics stadium, and a world-class rectangular stadium that will facilitate the growth of the city for the next 50 years.”

Daily Mercury content

Mr Entsch urged the council to make a proposal for 50:50 state and federal Olympic funding for the full 20,000-seat stadium.

He said any partial upgrade of Barlow Park that retained its athletics track should be rejected.

“We’re not looking for a mule, we’re looking for a thoroughbred,” he said.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said the council would need to ramp up its campaign for a stadium if it wanted the project prioritised.

Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch now agrees Barlow Park is the only option. Picture: Getty Images

“The night after the Brisbane Olympics were announced, I rang the mayor and said let’s have a chat about a stadium. We’ve had a discussion and it will be an ongoing discussion,” he said.

Mackay, Bundaberg and Rockhampton already have rectangular stadiums and the Gold Coast recently got an Olympic commitment for two new small stadiums.

Cairns has none.

“We’ve wasted a decade in dealing with this obvious issue,” Mr Byrne said.

“The council, and more importantly the city and region, is being presented with an opportunity that’s not going to come by again.

“And we’re still dithering.”

Follow @chriscalcino

Originally published as Cairns rectangular sports stadium bid finally gains traction ahead of 2032 Olympics