Fear for port’s erosion

MAYOR Bob Manning has urged the State Government to reveal its full plans to expand the Cairns Convention Centre amid fears it could encroach on land used as a cargo area for the city’s seaport.

“We find it hard to believe there aren’t more advanced plans they could be showing to council, port users and the community,” Cr Manning said.

“The expansion of the convention centre is at the top of our state government priority list so we applaud them on the announcement of $178 million funding, but the direction in which it expands needs to be determined.”

Sea Swift managing director Fred White said intrusion into the port area south of Wharf St would erode opportunities to grow coastal trade.

He was particularly concerned about an area of port- side land Sea Swift used for loading cargo and cruise ship providoring services.

“While expansion to the north and east would allow for the welcomed growth of the convention centre, any extension to the south would pose a commercial risk to all marinebased operations in the Port of Cairns,” Mr White said.

A Ports North spokeswoman said the state-owned corporation was aware of the need to retain strategic land.

“The Cairns Convention Centre expansion is a Department of Housing and Public Works project and Ports North’s position is that any expansion must take into consideration the operations and future growth of the Port of Cairns and appropriately interface with Cityport,” she said.

“Whatever the outcome, the final design must be made taking into consideration securing the long-term future of the Port of Cairns.”