Jeff Pezzutti Park upgrade receives $1.5m LNP state election commitment

Candidates running for the seat of Mulgrave are being asked to consider the “liveability” of Cairns’ south as one party commits funds towards the upgrade of an “underused” park.

LNP Mulgrave Candidate Terry James is pledging $1.5m towards the Jeff Pezzutti Park upgrade.

Candidates running for the seat of Mulgrave are being asked to consider the “liveability” of Cairns’ south as one party commits funds towards the upgrade of an “underused” park.

LNP candidate for Mulgrave and former Cairns Regional Council Mayor Terry James understands the need to upgrade Jeff Pezzutti Park at Woree better than most – pledging $1.5m towards the $3m project, if the state opposition wins government next week.

Works at the Woree park have been on the council books since 2018, with the completed stage one including the relocation of the tennis club and safety improvements at the intersection of Windarra and Rigg streets.

Stage two is expected to include a new skate park, playground, pump track and multi-use basketball and netball court with an anticipated completion of 2026 – 2027.

Stage 2 of the Jeff Pezzutti Park masterplan has entered the detailed design phase. Picture: Cairns Regional Council

In response, ALP Mulgrave candidate and fellow former councillor Richie Bates said funding the project was “lower” on a list of priorities presented to him by the local government but said if elected he would advocate “to find funding” for both the Woree precinct and towards upgrades of Alley Park at Gordonvale.

“The spend we’ve got far outweighs the LNP in Mulgrave – satellite hospital and health services, the school halls, and the multicultural centre,” Mr Bates said.

ALP candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates says the ALP has a greater spend in Mulgrave than the LNP. Picture: Brendan Radke

However, without being specific, Mr James was critical of Labor’s cost blowouts suggesting the overspend on other projects could have been allocated towards grassroots infrastructure.

“Labor’s failures have overseen $20bn plus in project cost blowouts that could have instead delivered grassroots infrastructure like these upgrades to Jeff Pezzutti Park in growth areas like Cairns’ southern corridor years ago,” Mr James said.

“The delivery of the new Jeff Pezzutti Park Youth Activities Centre, will address a critical lack of recreational facilities in Woree and surrounding suburbs, which is home to 18,500 people, including many families.

“Importantly, the upgrades will increase lighting to improve safety and reduce anti-social behaviour and will deliver a contemporary recreation experience for youth and increased participation in physical activity.”

LNP candidate for Mulgrave Terry James is pledging $1.5m towards the Jeff Pezzutti Park upgrade. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I am very excited about the benefit that this project will deliver to the local groups

currently using the park including – Leichhardt Junior Soccer Club, Bayview Scouts

and Saints Hockey”.

Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger welcomed the LNP commitment and said she had been reminding candidates that “liveability” rated as the most important factor in the council’s Our Cairns Survey.

“It might be our job to build the parks, but the state can take the pressure off ratepayer with grants.”

Originally published as Jeff Pezzutti Park upgrade receives $1.5m LNP state election commitment