Centre revamp start on target

PREPARATION works are already under way as next month’s construction start date draws near for the $176 million Cairns Convention Centre expansion project.

There is a lot riding on the schedule staying on track – both to prop up the construction industry and to allow business tourism to bounce back after coronavirus travel bans have been lifted.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni is acutely aware of the project’s importance to the Cairns economy.

“The Palaszczuk government’s Buy Queensland policy is making sure that it’s Cairns tradies that get a fair crack at working on the Cairns Convention Centre,” he said.

“This has never been more important.”

Exploratory works have started, with fencing expected to be erected around the construction site very soon.

“On-site works are aimed to ramp up in coming weeks, starting with the establishment of the contractor’s site infrastructure,” Mr de Brenni said.

“To date, the managing contractor Lendlease has awarded nine early exploratory work contracts to locals, with more local workers to be brought on in coming weeks.

“Lendlease is also evaluating further submissions that have closed in recent weeks, in line with the local benefits test applicable to this project.”

The centre was due to close May to October for major works to get under way – of little importance now since it is already shut down – with further work to continue until February 2022.

Mr de Brenni did not say whether those later works could or would be fast-tracked.

However, Treasurer Jackie Trad, Cairns MP Michael Healy, Advance Cairns CEO Nick Trompf and the heads of five major Far North companies joined a conference call yesterday to discuss opportunities to bring forward developments across the board.

“The message is very clear to government about what needs to happen up here,” Mr Healy told The Cairns Post.

“We know that economic stimulus is going to be absolutely fundamental to the entire economy.

“At the moment our focus is on containing, identifying and killing this virus.

“I’m confident we will start to see announcements about these things, but we’re just not there right now.”