CPAC to open on time – at big cost

STRICT fire safety measures will be in place to ensure the Cairns Performing Arts Centre opens on schedule – but it is going to be expensive and the unions are kicking.

Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said Cairns Regional Council had struck an agreement to install extra fire hydrants, sprinklers and smoke detectors, and post dedicated security guards on smoke-watch to meet the December 15 opening deadline.

But the issue that has plagued the $71.1 million project for months – flammable Chinesebuilt cladding – must still be replaced.

Mr Crawford said that process could take up to a year.

“The certifiers and builders are on track to get preliminary certification from (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services),” he said.

“The contracts are done, so there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to open a safe building on opening night.

“But we will see cranes and scaffolding going back up to replace some of the cladding on the outside – I’d say that will take six to 12 months.”

Mayor Bob Manning said the council was confident the December 15 opening night would go ahead.

“We continue to work closely with QFES to address issues raised and we are close to a resolution,” he said.

“The final cost of the project will be known once completed.”

Mr Crawford said replacement cladding would have to be imported from Japan.

In the meantime, a team of security officers will be on standby around the theatre whenever it is open, ready to call 000 at the first sign of smoke, flame or spark.

Mr Crawford said the building would be safe for opening night and the run of upcoming shows, as long as the stringent conditions were adhered to.

“We’ve been hearing for a long time about potential problems with the cladding, but it was only in the dying months of the project that people started to engage each other,” he said.

“Had QFES been able to have a conversation with the certifier, council and the builders back in February or March, the crisis could have been averted. It would have saved a lot of money, a lot of time, and meant they wouldn’t have cranes and scaffolding in the carpark for months after opening.”

The Cairns Post understands the ETU has lodged a complaint over the project for a potential breach of the Work Health and Safety Act.

THERE IS NO REASON THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPEN A SAFE BUILDING ON OPENING NIGHT.