General News
23 June, 2025
No love to be shared
IRONMAN Cairns organisers have rejected a proposal to rotate the start-finish every second year at Port Douglas.
Some residents and businesspeople called for the change to spread the economic benefits to the Douglas Shire.
However, an Ironman Cairns spokesman said alternating the start and finish venues between Cairns and Port Douglas was unlikely.
“As happens every year the Cairns Airport Ironman Cairns team will work with key event stakeholders following the event to identify ways that we can continue to improve what is renowned as one of the best Ironman events in the world,” he said.
“However, at this stage the event team is not looking to change the footprint of the event, including the start and finish venues.”
Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the idea of rotating the start and finish locations between Port Douglas and Cairns “hasn’t been formally proposed but (the) council would be open to discussing it with event organisers and the Department of Transport and Main Roads, who control the use of the impacted roads associated with the Ironman triathlon”.
“This change could allow both the Douglas Shire and the broader Cairns region to benefit economically, with the added advantage of potentially reducing road closure times along the Cook Highway," she said.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer Emma Tunnock said it was obviously never ideal to have the region’s main access route closed for a full day, “especially as we head into our peak season”.
“However, it’s crucial for us to take a strategic approach to managing disruptions and advocating for our local businesses to ensure the best possible outcomes and ongoing support,” she said.
“Together with Douglas Shire Council we’re committed to gaining a better understanding of the business impacts from this year’s event and exploring ways to better leverage Ironman Cairns in future years.
“While it’s true that the event can bring both challenges and opportunities, with thousands of athletes and their support crews coming into the region, there’s potential for all parties to work more effectively together to ensure Port Douglas and Daintree benefits more fully in the years ahead,” Ms Tunnock said.
Treveen Page on Facebook suggested that the start and finish of the event should be shared with Port Douglas.
“Cairns wins Port loses. Accommodation houses usually have to deal with guests leaving a day earlier or arriving a day later than planned. Add that revenue up, Port Douglas loses, shops and restaurants lose Sunday trade, the market is dead, the only benefit can be to share it Cairns one year, or Douglas the next,” she said.
Grant Knight said it was time for Port Douglas to welcome Ironman back into town.
