Community space funds welcomed
Council, state combine for facility
Trinity Beach is set to get its new Community Activity Space after the state government promised almost $1m to fund the project’s construction in partnership with Cairns Regional Council.
Funding was one of four bigticket items on council’s wishlist and Mayor Bob Manning was delighted to see at least one of his council’s advocacy items given the nod.
“(This is) a priority project identified by council ahead of state parliament’s sitting in Cairns, this announcement is an outstanding result for the Northern Beaches community, and I want to thank the state government for recognising the significance of this project,” Mr Manning said.
“The current facility is more than 40 years old and is an important community centre, used extensively by diverse groups from the Red Cross and Alcoholics Anonymous to playgroups, and exercise, martial arts and art classes.
“This funding, which will be matched by council, will allow for a new Community Activity Space and will become a focal point for local residents to connect, gather, learn, share and play.”
After hosting 450 events with almost 9000 attendees in 2022, the previous centre was
“at capacity”, according to a council spokesman.
The new centre will cost about $2m, and will be about twice the size.
It will be built next to the Trinity Beach Kindergarten and Northern Beaches Youth Activity Space.
Division 9 councillor Brett Olds said the old centre was “loved to death” but was in deep need of an upgrade.
“This important project is one of many that risked being pushed out, so it’s awesome that the state government have committed to go 50-50 with (us on) costs, as it assures that it’ll now go ahead in a timely manner,” Mr Olds said.
“Thanks goes to the state and our local MPs for seeing this as a priority. The community will continue to love this new centre even more than the old one.”
The council is still waiting to hear if its other advocacy priorities – $3m to redevelop Kenrick Park, $200,000 for a multicultural centre and $800,000 for the Northern Beaches Leisure Trail – will gain government approval.
Mr Olds said he was still hopeful some announcements would come at the 11th hour.
“We’re expecting a couple more, maybe on Friday, fingers crossed,” he said.
Barron River MP Craig Crawford said the new centre would suit a growing population.
“The Smithfield and Northern Beaches population is expected to grow 25 per cent in the next 15 years to more than 52,000 people, so the new centre will help to strengthen social networks as the community grows,” Mr Crawford said.