General News
6 May, 2022
Council seeks funding for Stage 1 of Events Precinct
COUNCIL is pushing forward with plans to develop a Major Events Precinct with stage 1 requiring a significant upgrade of the Barlow Park lights to attract more high-profile sporting events.
The $10 million Digital Broadcast Lighting Upgrade Project will ensure the facility meets TV broadcast standards.
This will pave the way for elite-level rugby league, rugby union, and football matches, potentially contributing $5.2 million annually to Gross Regional Product support 57 jobs.
The investment will dovetail with Queensland Government’s plans to use Barlow for football games during the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
The project, however, needs government funding to proceed, with Council calling on Leichhardt candidates in the Federal election to commit to $10 million in funding over two financial years.
Acting Mayor Terry James said the project was a key priority for Council as the first step in developing a major events precinct close to the city centre.
“Council has long held aspirations to create a major events precinct on the doorstep to the CBD,” Cr James said.
“The Barlow Park / Showgrounds area is already well used for sporting, music and cultural events, such as the Cairns Show, making it the obvious location.
“There is still a lot of work to be done to determine how the venues would work, take into account all stakeholders’ needs, and plan the necessary supporting infrastructure.
“But while that work is underway, if we can secure the necessary funding, it makes sense to push forward with this critical lighting upgrade to ensure we can cement Cairns in the minds of sporting codes and promoters as a premium location for events.”
Cr James said the economic benefits to the city, still recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, were considerable.
“Independent economic analysis of the project indicates the construction phase will inject $13.1 million into the Cairns economy, and 41 full time direct and indirect jobs,” Cr James said.
“Securing more major events in Cairns will be critical to the ongoing recovery of our tourism sector post-COVID-19.
“Once complete, and using a conservative estimate of five additional elite-level sport fixtures a year, the local economy can expect a $10.3 million boost through increased business revenue from day-to-day operations to spend by visiting sports fans.”
More information on the proposal is on Council’s website.
