Pop-up plan on the menu Local groups can make a meal of it
A POP-UP “market area” will be included in a $5 million outdoor food and entertainment precinct to be built at a Cairns shopping hub.
Plans have been released for DFO Cairns’s new “Dfood” complex, the construction of which has been flagged to start early next year.
Sentinel Property Group managing director Warren Ebert said the precinct would include space for three food trucks and a market area, which would operate on a “casual leasing pop-up basis”.
“We will provide an opportunity for local community organisations, TAFE colleges, sporting groups and other charitable organisations to use these facilities to showcase their ideas and make great food offerings to raise money,” Mr Ebert said.
“Successful applicants will be given access to the facilities for a limited time.
“We will provide necessary infrastructure the including the marquee, power, hotplate barbecue cooking facilities and refrigeration.
“We are hoping this initiative will promote new start-up food ventures.
“We are also encouraging community members to contact DFO Cairns centre management with their own ideas.”
It is understood Sentinel hopes the new facility will be a “Cairns version” of Brisbane’s popular Eat Street Markets.
The precinct will also include a children’s playground, outdoor movie screen and an “array of cafes and restaurants”.
The project comes more than 18 months after Sentinel bought the Westcourt shopping centre for just under $40 million.
“The new eateries will be open for lunch and dinner and, along with the entertainment area, should provide a fantastic family-style amenity for the Cairns community,” Mr Ebert said.
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has previously told the Cairns Post that it would support the provision of more markets in the city to support the region’s “growing food culture”.