Gallery’s rejection
A $40 MILLION art and cultural gallery precinct dream in Cairns has stalled after the Federal Government rejected a $13 million funding application.
The knockback has put in doubt a 2021 completion date for the precinct centred around the former Courthouse Hotel.
But Mayor Bob Manning is upbeat, saying it is just the first round, a federal election is in the wings and follows talks with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Cairns earlier this week.
DOUBT has been cast on Mayor Bob Manning’s $40 million gallery precinct dream after the Federal Government swatted away his outstretched palms.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s office told the council late on Tuesday its funding application for $13 million had been rejected.
Cairns Regional Council bought the heritage-listed former Courthouse Hotel for $5.75 million and locked its doors in 2016, leaving it a dead space on prime CBD real estate for the past two years.
It was flagged to become part of a world-class visual arts precinct linking the existing Cairns Art Gallery, former Mulgrave Shire Council building and a new $13.7 million multi-storey gallery complete with bar and rooftop garden.
The Regional Growth Fund rejection has threatened the council’s 2021 project end date, but Cr Manning was adamant the dream was not over.
“That’s round one,” he told yesterday’s council meeting.
“This is how we started off, if you remember with the CPAC (Cairns Performing Arts Centre).
“We will be back and we will be back very quickly.”
Cr Manning said election storm clouds were a good omen for the project’s eventual success.
“I think we’re in a very good position,” he said. Support from the State Government appears to be more forthcoming, at least in terms of lip service.
Speaking from Cairns yesterday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she had been involved with detailed discussions with the mayor.
“There’s a lot of great ideas to really grow an arts precinct here in Cairns,” she said.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunity and we’ll continue those discussions.
“I know (Cairns MP) Michael (Healy) will always be in my ear as well. “We’re happy to help where we can.”
The council is proposing a three-way funding split between itself and the Federal and State Governments.