Officially opened by Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, on 29 March, the multi million dollar Cairns Esplanade project has been five years in the making.
“Our aim for Cairns to become Australia’s number one regional city, and the safest tropical city in the world, is becoming a reality,” said the Mayor, Councillor Kevin Byrne. “Cairns is a city that is motivated and moving ahead. I have labelled this ‘The Decade of Excitement’ for Cairns. The opening of the Esplanade is just the start of a new face for Cairns.”
The opening celebrations was a full day packed with events, entertainment and activities. Council ran free bus and train services so as many people as possible could join in the festivities.
“The brainchild of the previous Council, this Council has seen the Esplanade Project through to fruition,” said Councillor Terry James, Chairman of Cairns Works Committee. “Alongside the Bedminster Resource Recovery Centre and extensive works at Barlow Park, there are not too many Councils running three major projects in the one term.”
He said that prior to the official opening, the swimming lagoon and associated facilities were put through a rigorous two week trial, with local school children pleased to test the waters and give the venue their wholehearted approval.
The 4,000 square metre saltwater swimming lagoon offers residents and visitors an all year safe swimming location on the Cairns foreshore overlooking the Barrier Reef and Trinity Inlet. Salt water is pumped from the inlet through a state of the art filtration system.Children can enjoy the sandy edges, build sandcastles and play in shallow water, while others can relax on the timber decks in moderate shade.
A lifeguard is on duty from dawn till dusk. With swimming not permitted between 10pm and 6am, 24 hour security will patrol the area and there will also be 24 hour closed circuit television surveillance.
“The next step is the completion of the $9 million Cairns Foreshore Promenade,” Councillor James said.
The Promenade is expected to become a prestigious precinct with easy access to the vast array of restaurants, hotels and accommodation facilities located along the famous Cairns Esplanade. With the foreshore area already extremely popular with pedestrians, cyclists and joggers, the new three kilometre boardwalk will enable people to leisurely experience the natural environment linking them to the Cairns CBD, swimming lagoon and enhancement works being undertaken by the Cairns Port Authority.
The boardwalk will be solely for pedestrians, with cyclists and other ‘wheeled’ enthusiasts restricted to the dual use paths. To enrich the experiences of visitors to the foreshore, environmental, cultural and historical themes will be woven into the redevelopment through the use of public art, interpretive signage and landscaping.
“We are a progressive Council, with half the Councillors small business owner operators,” Councillor James said. “The Mayor’s Unity Team is unashamedly pro development but we work within strict guidelines for balanced sustainable development. Being on the doorstep of two World Heritage areas, we must protect the natural beauty that attracts new residents and visitors alike.”
