Council unveils major events precinct plan for Barlow Park

An ambitious plan to turn Barlow Park into a first-class sporting and events hub has been unveiled with a major piece of infrastructure also part of the proposal. Read what it all hinges on.

PLANS to create Australia’s premier sporting and events precinct have been unveiled by Cairns Regional Council – but the project is only on its wishlist for now with no funds in the 10-year capital works program for upgrades.

Councillors will vote to endorse the Major Events Precinct Vision Development Opportunities Report at a meeting on Wednesday.

It commissioned Ross Planning to produce the report for a major events precinct incorporating the Cairns Showgrounds, Barlow Park Multi-sports facility and surrounds.

Cairns Regional Council has unveiled grand plans to turn the showgrounds and Barlow Park into a major events precinct but there is no budget for the proposal. Picture: Supplied

It proposes transforming Barlow Park into a high-performance hub with regular training opportunities, sports tourism, education and commercial activity, partnering with stakeholders such as TAFE and CQUniversity.

In council’s works budget, there is $6.93m in 2024-25 and $2.97m in 2025-26 for the lighting upgrade at Barlow Park and a “notional” $750,000 in 2026-27 for other upgrades.

“In addition to the proposed Olympic Games legacy contribution of $43m, the state government has committed $4m to the Barlow Park lighting upgrade project,” the report states.

Cairns Regional Council has unveiled grand plans to turn the showgrounds and Barlow Park into a major events precinct. Picture: Supplied

Council has sought federal funding of $5m for the lighting upgrade.

The colourful report produced by Ross Planning notes there is almost 26ha of reserve land with the purpose of sports and showgrounds.

“Barlow Park will remain the region’s premier multipurpose sporting facility, attracting high levels of grassroots use, regular high level and representative use and televised feature events,” it states.

“This zone will expand as a high-performance training, education and development hub.”

A visual of Cairns Regional Council’s plans to turn the showgrounds and Barlow Park into a major events precinct. Picture: supplied

It says modern and inviting pavilions and function spaces at the showground would ensure the precinct was activated year-round.

It notes “the precinct has limited sense of arrival” and does not take advantage of the volumes of passing traffic, with the showgrounds a largely hidden venue.

A concept showing what the sporting and events precinct could look like. Picture: supplied

“The precinct does little to draw in patrons to explore the facilities and activities within,” it says.

“Opening the precinct will be a catalyst for urban and streetscape improvements adding value to surrounding neighbourhoods.

“The precinct will become a valued public open space with quality active transport links along Smiths Creek, into the surrounding neighbourhoods and into the CBD.”

It says casual use by walkers and cyclists would be encouraged and traffic-calming initiatives on Scott St would be implemented.

Cairns Regional Council has unveiled grand plans to turn the showgrounds and Barlow Park into a major events precinct but there is no budget for the proposal. Picture: supplied

It envisages dividing the showground into “nodes” rather than one open facility, with targeted infrastructure development to support existing tenants including Cairns City Kennel Club and Cairns BMX Club.

The report says the precinct could have a commercial edge.

Originally published as Council unveils major events precinct plan for Barlow Park