Cairns Performing Arts Centre

At its Ordinary Meeting on 30 May 2012, Cairns Regional Council resolved to confirm and continue the suspension of the Cairns Entertainment Precinct project.

Subsequently, at the Ordinary Meeting on 22 August, Council resolved to progress planning in respect of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre through a formal Heads of Agreement with Ports North.  Under the terms of this agreement, a feasibility study will be undertaken for the performing arts centre location on the site of the Ports North Administration Building.

Performing Arts Centre Feasiblity Study

In August 2012, Council appointed consultants to prepare a concept plan for a performing arts centre on land adjacent to the Convention Centre.

Savills Project Management are overseeing the preparation of a concept plan for inclusion in a feasibility study as required under a Heads of Agreement between Council and Ports North, which currently occupies the land.

The consultants will transfer a large part of the work undertaken as part of the evaluation of the Cairns Entertainment Precinct to the new proposal.

The appointment of consultants, worth a combined $1.3 million, allows the commencement of investigations into a practical and cost-effective facility for the performing arts in Cairns.

Council has stipulated that the feasibility study is to be completed by February 2013, in order to assess the next step of the project.

As part of the new appointment, a business case will be developed to support the concept plan.