Community
3 February, 2025
Games legacy consolidated
CAIRNS Regional Council has passionately re-committed to Barlow Park upgrades and the establishment of a high-performance centre at West Barlow Park as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.
Councillors have also earmarked Cazalys Stadium as a venue for cricket (if it becomes an Olympic sport) and upgrading Endeavour Park at Manunda for visiting football teams’ training.
They are among recommendations the council has made to the state government’s 100-day review into infrastructure for the 2032 games.
The review is assessing the intricate network of critical infrastructure projects required to support the games, ensuring projects align with long-term planning, fiscal and future legacy objectives.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden told Wednesday’s first council meeting of the year that the Games Independent Infrastructure and Coordination Authority had just been in the city inspecting facilities, with some “very strong and robust” discussions.
She said the council had made six recommendations as part of its submission to the authority.
“All six recommendations have a focus on delivering legacy benefits for Cairns and strengthening our city’s vision to become a pre-eminent destination for women’s sport,” Cr Eden said.
“The games are a fantastic opportunity to provide long lasting benefits to our city and create a legacy that will enhance the lives of residents.
“As a council, we look forward to working closely with the Queensland Government to ensure those benefits are maximised in Cairns.”
They included a request for previously announced Olympic legacy upgrades to Barlow Park to be expedited to further strengthen the council’s vision for Cairns to become a foremost destination for women’s sport.
Barlow Park is slated to host preliminary football matches for the games, with legacy upgrades previously announced to enhance the venue for the world stage, including:
A new western grandstand to increase permanent seating capacity to 3500
Additional 1500 retractable seats for use over the existing athletics track
Upgraded food and beverage facilities, function and corporate facilities and enhanced accessibility
Significant improvements to player and spectator amenities.
The council has also proposed that the upgrades be completed in early 2028, thereby ensuring the benefits would be realised before, during and after the 2032 games.
Councillors are also calling for support in the establishment of high-performance facilities at West Barlow Park (directly adjacent to Barlow Park), which would enhance the appeal of Cairns for visiting international teams ahead of the Olympics and deliver legacy benefits for the region.
Other recommendations included:
Upgrades to Endeavour Park to enable the venue’s utilisation as an Olympic training facility, especially for visiting football teams
If cricket is confirmed as an Olympic sport, Cazalys Stadium to be used as a host venue given the facility’s proven track record hosting international cricket and other major events
Cairns to be prioritised as a host city for games training camps and paralympic sport before and after the event
Where venue upgrades to existing facilities in southeast Queensland require temporary relocations, these events should be hosted in centres such as Cairns as a further demonstration of infrastructure investments delivering benefits for rural and regional Queensland.
