Aquarium was in need of help

THE $50 million Cairns Aquarium had to be saved by government funding.

The entity might be privatelyowned but by not receiving a $3.5 million lifeline from the Palaszczuk government, as well as the Morrison government earlier also providing support, it would have more than likely closed. Even worse, if it was closed for good, it was probable that all its 16,000 specimens would have been destroyed, from sharks and whip rays to snakes and lizards. Most could not be returned to the wild.

It would be extremely difficult to find a buyer for the tourism and research centre. Any buyer would need deep pockets.

The building can’t be sold as it is without the fauna and flora. It is designed as an aquarium and any modifications for alternative uses would be prohibitive.

So the only way forward was to keep it as a going concern until all COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and visitors and tourists return to Cairns to provide the revenue needed to keep the business turning over, feeding the animals, maintaining the amenities and paying the 45 staff.

Some would argue that governments should not be bailing out private enterprise but the aquarium is unique and a special part of the region’s tourism offerings.

The Cairns Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world dedicated exclusively to the habitats and species of Tropical North Queensland.

The funding will also help 200 other businesses which provide vital goods and services to the venture.

Owners Daniel Leipnik and Andrew Preston and their business partners took a risk, but no one foresaw COVID-19 and the utterly devastating consequences of the virus’s medical and economic reach. Nick Dalton

Deputy editor