Media statement: Vale Kevin Byrne: 1949 to 2023

Personal statement from Cairns Mayor Bob Manning

“I have relayed his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of former Mayor Kevin Byrne, who passed away yesterday.

“I was very saddened to hear of Kevin’s passing; our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time,” Cr Manning said.

“Kevin and I had some unique things in common, from our roles as Mayor of this city, as well as both having served as Officers in the Australian Army.

“While his views were known to attract controversy from time to time, I don’t think anybody would contest his conviction and deep passion for this city.”

Council’s media statement

In 1992, Mr Byrne was elected Mayor of Cairns and was re-elected in 1994 before being defeated in 1995 following the amalgamation of Cairns City and Mulgrave Shire.

He was then re-elected as Mayor in 2000, a position he held until 2008.

“Kevin was passionate about this city and it is hard to overstate how instrumental his role was in totally transforming this city into what it is today,” Cr Manning said.

“One thing about Kevin, he always spoke with conviction, and you never had to guess where he was coming from.

“He played a major role in turning Cairns into the premier international destination it is today.

“For most people, he will be remembered as the man who got the Esplanade Lagoon built, despite some heated and vocal opposition.

“But his conviction in forging forward ahead with its construction has been vindicated; today the Esplanade Lagoon is one of the city’s most iconic destinations.

“However, Kevin was also at the helm during the implementation of some Council’s biggest projects, such as Cleaner Seas, which dramatically improved the quality of wastewater being release into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon, and upgrades of Barlow Park to turn it into one of the State’s premier multi-sports venues.

“His legacy will also live on through the redevelopment of the Botanic Gardens and his City in a Garden vision, a concept to use tree plantings and attractive streetscaping to reflect the city’s tropical environment – a model that remains active today.

“He also worked closely with the Port Authority on the City Port and with the Airport on aviation matters.

“On behalf of Council and the community, I convey our appreciation for his contribution to Cairns and the greater region, and our sincere condolences to his friends and family.”

About Kevin Byrne:

• Born in Lae, Papua New Guinea in 1949, his primary education was on Manus Island and he attended Nudgee College in Brisbane from 1963 to 1967.
• A former Australian Army officer, in graduating from the Officer Cadet School in Portsea, Victoria, in 1969, he was awarded the academy’s top honour, the Sword of Honour for Leadership.
• Mr Byrne’s 17-year military career included overseas postings to Malaya, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Rhodesia and South Vietnam, including postings throughout Australia.
• He was Mentioned in Dispatches for gallantry as a young Infantry Platoon Commander in South Vietnam in 1971.
• Following his discharge from the army, Mr Byrne was appointed as Regional Manager, Office of Northern and Regional Development, in Cairns.
• He held this appointment for three years until 1990 when he became Regional Manager of the Queensland Confederation of Industry, the State's largest employer organisation.
• Mayor of Cairns for a total of 11 years; from 1992 to 1995 and again from 2000 to 2008.
• Immediately following the 1995 election, he was recruited to direct the administrative effort of a giant oil spill clean-up operation in the Kolva Basin, Northern Russia. The Pechora River tributaries were remediated, and 146,000 tonnes of oil were recovered.
• Recipient of the Papua New Guinea Independence Medal in 2000 for services to Aviation and Tourism.
• Awarded the Australian Centenary in 2003 for services to Local Government and the City of Cairns.
• Chairman of the Cairns Regional Gallery Foundation for 15 years (2001-2016).
• He was founder and board member of Advance Cairns for eight years from 2000-2008, and was the organisation’s CEO from 2016-2017.