General News
26 June, 2026
Drummed out
THE rhythmic beat of drums echoing across Centenary Lakes at Edge Hill has been silenced.
Cairns Djembe has been given their marching orders from the pagoda at the Cairns Chinese Friendship Garden by Cairns Regional Council after eight years.
Organiser Jeff Cotter said council had deemed the weekly event a commercial operation and their final performance was last Saturday. He said he charged $20 to recover some of his expenses, for lessons and for his time for 90 minutes each Saturday from 9am.
“The price has stayed the same for eight years,” he said.
“We are respectful and peaceful and there have been no noise complaints.
“We get between 12 to 15 people every Saturday from 9am-10.30am and there are probably 50 members of the group.
“The $20 is just to cover expenses but Cairns Regional Council emailed me two to three weeks ago after coming to a decision that I was operating for commercial purposes and I would have to find an alternative venue.”
Mr Cotter said the drumming sessions attracted tourists, visitors and people with disabilities who came to watch and listen.
“It’s traditional West African drumming. We also have Qigong sessions and yoga. People come from as far away as Babinda, Port Douglas and the Tablelands.
“This is the perfect venue, we use it all year-round and it’s right in the heart of the Cairns cultural precinct. We keep it sharp from 9am to 10.30am.”
Mr Cotter said people could hear the drums from the top of the Red Arrow and came down to watch while the trees throughout the gardens shielded the noise from the Edge Hill café precinct.
He said he spoke to the-then manager of the Botanic Gardens eight years ago who gave him permission to operate in the pagoda if there were no noise complaints.
Mr Cotter is hoping to run his next drumming sessions at Glenoma Park tomorrow as he has been unable to secure a hall venue.
Participant Hazel Leung said Cairns Djembe drummed free-of-charge at events such as at Ellis Beach tomorrow and the Bat Festival on Sunday.
“We opened the Cairns African Festival a couple of weeks ago, for instance, and Jeff ran free community drumming lessons at the recent festival at Port Douglas,” she said.
“While Jeff is charging $20 per lesson, the real cost of a lesson in other regions is about $40.
“Jeff provides drums and stools free-of-charge for those starting out. This means he has to stock and maintain quite a few drums and stools which have to be accommodated in his home and transported when needed. His operation is not a multi-national corporation, nor is he making a fortune.
“While he may be receiving some remuneration, it is minimal when you consider the amount of time he gives to the community."
A council spokeswoman said council was committed to managing public spaces consistently and fairly while balancing community access, amenity and appropriate use of its facilities.
“As the Chinese Friendship Garden is not a bookable space, council cannot issue a permit for this activity under council's 'Best Practice Management Guideline (BPMG)' for the Cairns Botanic Gardens,” she said.
“It was recently brought to council's attention that an organised commercial activity was being conducted at this location on weekends and council's decision is not based on any specific noise complaints."
The spokeswoman said the drummers made the pavilion unavailable to other visitors.
She said council would consider other suitable parks for the drumming, including Glenoma Park, subject to impacts on nearby residents and public amenity. There were also nearby privately-operated venues in the area for hire.
Cr Anna Middleton said as the divisional councillor for the area she had spoken to Mr Cotter “and though I appreciate the benefits of his drumming classes, he has been undertaking them in what is officially an unbookable space”.
“Unfortunately, Jeff’s use of the space for his West African drumming lessons has been bought to council’s attention and he has been advised of the situation. From my understanding, Jeff has been provided with alternative options for his classes and I wish him all the success in continuing them," she said.
Drumming group supporter Judith Barrie has launched a petition to persuade council to let them stay at the Botanic Gardens
“The echo of djembe drumming has been a cherished sound at the Chinese Friendship Garden in Cairns, division 7,” she said. “It has been a gathering point for our community, where drummers young and old, experienced and novices, come together to create rhythms that invigorate our spirits and enrich our souls.
“The news that djembe drumming is no longer allowed at the gardens was unexpected and disheartening to many of us who have thrived in this vibrant community space.
“Over these years, to the best of our knowledge, there have been no complaints. Instead, the rhythmic beats have contributed positively to the landscape, drawing people in to enjoy the ambiance, partake in the music and sometimes join in the dance.
“We understand there may be concerns that led to this decision, but we believe there are amicable solutions to address any issues. We ask the Cairns Regional Council and division 7 authorities to reconsider and support maintaining this cultural and social gathering.”
Visit the petition at www.bit.ly/3QEqeeH
