FAST LANE TO FUTURE
Council rethinks $32m Esplanade revamp plan
A $32 MILLION transformation is coming to the Esplanade outdoor dining precinct quicker than expected after a bureaucratic about-face reeled in construction timelines by two years.
A new timeline including a construction start of June this year – 11 months before the previous “fasttracked” schedule – has a February 2021 finish date.
Crystalbrook Collection CEO Geoff York is thrilled at the turnaround which will focus on the Esplanade between Shields and Aplin streets – right at the doorstep of the hotel chain’s Flynn hotel.
“What a golden opportunity it is to do this now,” Mr York said.
A $32 MILLION transformation is coming to the Esplanade outdoor dining precinct quicker than expected after a bureaucratic about-face reeled in construction timelines by two years.
Cairns Regional Council angered hospitality operators when it said the project was not included in a list of fasttracked works because the soonest construction could possibly begin was May 2021.
It has released a new timeline where construction starts in June this year – a full 11months before the previous “fast-tracked” timeline – and is finished by February.
The turn of events thrilled Crystalbrook Collection CEO Geoff York.
“What a golden opportunity it is to do this now. It gives Cairns another wonderful piece of new and modern tourism infrastructure to go to market with,” Mr York said.
“In the ‘come and visit Cairns’ story, this should be front and centre.”
The project focuses on the Esplanade between Shields and Aplin streets – smack bang on the doorstep of Crystalbrook’s Flynn hotel.
The new timeline still needs to be ticked off by today’s council meeting.
“The project was originally scheduled over two financial years commencing in late 2021,” the report notes.
“Based on feedback from the community, building owners and some traders in the precinct, a project team has been working on a fast-tracked delivery model that would allow the project to commence by June 2020 and be completed early 2021.”
The upgrades will be delivered across three stages, with the first – completion of the 3.4m-wide footpath – to be finished in September.
Construction of outdoor dining areas and awnings is scheduled to finish in December, while major changes to the Esplanade road and landscaping will wind up in February.
“During this time the current outdoor dining areas along the precinct outside the 3.4m-wide footpath footprint would still be available for dining, and access to businesses will be maintained as much as possible,” the report notes.
“This may entail working at nights, early mornings and weekends.”
IN THE ‘COME AND VISIT CAIRNS’ STORY, THIS SHOULD BE FRONT AND CENTRE
CRYSTALBROOK COLLECTION CEO GEOFF YORK