Reimagining 26 hectares at the heart of Cairns

• Have your say on the future of Cairns' 26-hectare Major Events Precinct.
• Help shape the future of the Cairns Showgrounds, Barlow Park and surrounding areas.
• Support a vision that will strengthen Cairns as a leading regional destination for sport, events and community life.

Community consultation is now open on the Major Events Precinct Masterplan, giving residents the opportunity to help shape the future of one of Cairns' most significant community assets.

Developed by Cairns Regional Council in partnership with Scyne Advisory the once-in-a-generation project will reimagine a 26-hectare site encompassing the Cairns Showgrounds, Barlow Park and surrounding areas.

The Masterplan will guide the transformation of the precinct into a coordinated and vibrant destination for sport, entertainment and community use.

It will also help progress the vision of Cairns becoming Australia's premier regional sporting and events precinct.

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the project presented a rare opportunity to shape a place that would benefit Cairns’ residents for generations to come.

"As we celebrate 150 years of Cairns, it's only fitting that we think about the next 150. This is one of those rare opportunities to shape the future of our city in a lasting way," Cr Eden said.

"Behind those walls is 26 hectares of opportunity. Don’t think about what it is today. Think about what it could become. Imagine a place that’s unmistakably Cairns. Tropical. Green. A place that’s just as special on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon as it is during a major event. Be bold. Dream a little.”

“Great cities are remembered for their iconic places. Great places are remembered for the moments people share there. That’s what we’re inviting the community to help create. Not just another precinct, but Cairns’ next iconic place.”

“I want this iconic place to feel like a natural extension of our city. Open. Welcoming. Connected. Not somewhere people only visit for major events, but somewhere that’s part of everyday Cairns.”

The Masterplan will also guide upgrades to existing facilities, identify new ways to use existing buildings, and help plan future infrastructure and public space improvements across the precinct.

Importantly, the project positions Cairns to maximise the long-term benefits of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games while supporting employment, investment and local business growth across the region.

Division 5 Councillor Rob Pyne said this project is about creating a precinct that is accessible, welcoming and able to support the needs of our growing community.

"The best outcomes come when the community is involved from the beginning. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to tell us what they'd like to see in this important part of Cairns."

Community feedback will play a vital role in informing the final Masterplan and ensuring the precinct reflects local needs and aspirations.

Residents can provide feedback and learn more about the project through Council's Have Your Say website, with the online consultation open until 9 August 2026.

This $850,000 project is 100 percent funded by the Australian Government’s regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.