‘Best for Cairns’: Events precinct funding finely balanced ahead of federal election
A key advocacy priority for Cairns is tenuously placed with both major party candidates reluctant to commit funding to a master plan that has been called out by a major stakeholder.
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A key advocacy priority for Cairns is tenuously placed with both major party candidates reluctant to commit funding to a master plan that has previously been called out by a major stakeholder.
In March, Cairns mayor Amy Eden called for funding for a major redevelopment of the city’s events precinct with “urban living options” to be built on the 17ha Cairns Showground.
The site’s leaseholders, the Cairns Show Association, bitterly rejected the proposal claiming Ms Eden never discussed building residential apartments or hotels on the site when seeking their endorsement for the plan.
Since then, Cairns Regional Council has revised its proposal, the association’s president Ian Allen said following crisis meetings held last month.
“When we had that last incident they said that we didn’t make it clear to them what we wanted,” Mr Allen said.
“We sat down with them later and voiced our opinion and they agreed. Our views haven’t changed whatsoever.
“They are trying to get some funding for the whole precinct still but I’m certain they’re not going to follow along those lines (of building hotels and apartments).”
The council did not respond to a request for comment regarding Mr Allen’s claim prior to deadline on Monday.
Neither of the major parties have committed to funding the master plan during the federal election campaign.
But the ALP’s candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith said the proposal to transform the 26ha precinct, including Barlow Park, into a premier destination for food, culture, music and sport had potential.
“We’re still going through the process with that,” Mr Smith said. “It’s a really great idea and anything that makes Cairns a better place to live we’re fully behind.”
“But the master planning (negotiations) are still at a very early stage.”
Asked if he was concerned that the council and show association had been at loggerheads, Mr Smith said he was confident the two stakeholders’ differences could be settled.
“That’s happened a lot over the years,” Mr Smith said. “I used to work at the council. I know what that’s like but ultimately you’ve got two organisations that want the best for Cairns.”
The LNP’s candidate Jeremy Neal said his party had already shown a willingness to invest in the council’s vision, having committed $15m towards building a high performance centre at Barlow Park.
“I’ve looked through that (master plan proposal) with the council,” Mr Neal said.
“We’ve obviously announced our commitment towards the centre and having the (North Queensland) Cowboys’ women’s team relocate to Cairns.
“That’s one stage of it and I’m happy to keep pushing through the rest of the plan with them.”
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Originally published as ‘Best for Cairns’: Events precinct funding finely balanced ahead of federal election
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