Deputy mayor to consider alternative dates for lagoon closure

Disappointed tourists from NSW locked out of a public swimming area have lashed council for closing the Esplanade Lagoon during NSW, Victoria and SA school holidays.

Cairns Council shut one of their best known attractions in Cairns, just as the New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia school holidays begin. Picture: Supplied.

Cairns Regional Council Deputy Mayor Brett Olds says the organisation should not close the Esplanade Lagoon during school holidays periods in other states.

Council shut the lagoon on Monday for a month for maintenance work but received backlash because it coincides with NSW, Victoria and South Australia school holidays.

Mr Olds said he would encourage council to make sure the next closure accommodated the rest of Australia.

“I will do my utmost to see the next lot (of maintenance), in two year’s time, is pushed back by at least a week so our southern friends have a place to swim,” he said.

“We can absolutely look at this request because we want to try and find the best time that inconveniences the least amount of people.”

George Livery from Sydney said he was disappointed by the closure.

“We were shocked when we went to enjoy the lagoon on Sunday and read the signage that it’s closing. My 10-year-old daughter was the most disappointed as she couldn’t remember it from our last visits,” he said.

Cairns Regional Council shut one of their best known attractions in Cairns, just as the New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia school holidays begin. Picture: Supplied.

The Livery family of six, are holidaying in Cairns which they say is their “favourite Australian holiday location”.

The 58-year-old dad said this trip to Cairns was his family's first vacation to the region since Covid-19.

“We decided to stay in Cairns CBD on this occasion and while we know there are no beach opportunities in the city, we knew we had the lagoon to enjoy.

“It was one of the reasons we chose the city. We probably would have made a different decision if we knew the council was closing the lagoon.

“I would really like the council to consider the important tourist market when making their decisions. I understand that they must put the local community and ratepayers first, but doesn’t that also mean local businesses that rely on tourists?”

Mr Livery added he was “happy” council had taken the matter seriously following Mr Olds’ comments.

“I’m very happy council will take our feedback into consideration for next year, that’s all I wanted,” he said.

George Livery from Sydney New South Wales, said he was disappointed in the response he received from Cairns Regional Council when he emailed them asking for answers about the lagoon closure. Picture: Supplied.

Cousins Harper Suleiman, Charli Suleiman, Oscar Suleiman and Dion Suleiman enjoy having a swim in the sunshine when the lagoon was open. Picture: Brendan Radke

In a joint statement sent on behalf of the Mayor Amy Eden and the Deputy Mayor, council said there was “no good time to close the lagoon”.

“However, based on patronage numbers, winter is the best time of the year for the shutdown,” they added.

“When scheduling the works, council had to balanced contractor availability, tight delivery time frames and dates of major events to ensure the biennial maintenance period had minimal impact on the city.”

The lagoon turned 20 last year. It is being drained and getting new sand as part of the maintenance.

Originally published as Deputy mayor to consider alternative dates for lagoon closure