Revamp for park

$6m boost for Gordonvale

Gordonvale will have a new park with a smorgasbord of facilities within 18 months, thanks in part to a surprise funding contribution by the state government.

Kenrick Park will receive a $6m makeover, half funded by the government, with a new playground, pump track, basketball court, toilet block and shelters to be built by December 16, 2024.

The park’s redevelopment was one of four council-led advocacy priorities that councillors were hoping would get some love from the state government while parliament was in town for a regional sitting a fortnight ago.

They were almost left despondent when the ministers went home and the park’s funding seemingly had not been announced.

But a bolt of lightning went through the organisation the following Monday when councillors realised Deputy Premier Steven Miles had actually snuck in the funding announcement during a speech on the floor of the convention centre.

Division 1 councillor Brett Moller could barely contain his excitement during the council’s Wednesday meeting, at which the park’s redevelopment plans were unveiled.

“I’m as excited as I was as a little kid at the Cairns show when I got $20 from my parents,” Mr Moller said.

“This has been long awaited by the Gordonvale community, and it will be absolutely awesome for the residents of Cairns.”

The council will pitch in the other half of the $6m cost.

“This goes back to 2016 when early consultation identified this very underwhelming district park … in the middle of a huge residential development needed love, attention and investment,” Mr Moller said.