Mayor bets on poll race cash

MAYOR Bob Manning might have lost the first battle but he is determined to win the funding war to build his new Central Business District art and cultural precinct.

An application for $13 million for the $40 million project has been rejected by the Federal Government.

Central to the precinct is the upgrade of the former Courthouse Hotel next to the existing art gallery.

The rejection by the Regional Growth Fund has put the 2021 completion date in doubt.

But Cr Manning remains upbeat, claiming it is just round one, using the delays in funding for the $71 million Cairns Performing Arts Centre as an example.

A looming federal election next year will also loosen purse strings by a desperate Coalition government which knows how important the seat of Leichhardt is to retaining power.

Furthermore, Cr Manning has had fruitful talks about the project with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk when she was in Cairns this week.

Two months ago the State Government committed $481,580 to allow the council to prepare a business case for the project which was due to start next year.

The precinct would involve the former Abbott St hotel, bought by the council for $5.75 million, the existing gallery on the corner of Abbott and Shields streets and the former Mulgrave Shire Council chambers on the Esplanade.

The council is proposing a threeway split involving all levels of government.

The shame in all this is that the hotel, instead of closing two years ago, could have continued to trade, providing jobs and revenue for the council.

It remains a CBD dead spot. Nick Dalton Deputy editor FOR THE RECORD: The Cairns Post is committed to accurate, fair and fearless publication of news and commentary. But we acknowledge and aim to promptly correct errors when they occur. Corrections, clarifications and explanations the newspaper wishes to make will appear in this space. If you are aware of an error in this newspaper, please contact editorial@cairnspost.com.au or phone 4052 6627.