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Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development - The Honourable Andrew Fraser.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Work starts on Cairns cruise ship terminal redevelopment.

Source: www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/mms/statementsearch.aspx.

The first sod was turned today on the $11.2 million Cairns cruise ship terminal redevelopment.

At the work site today with the State MPs for Barron River (Steve Wettenhall), Cook (Jason O’Brien) and Mulgrave (Curtis Pitt), Acting Premier Andrew Fraser said the project would restore and refurbish the heritage-listed wharf shed number 3, converting it into a modern cruise liner terminal and multi-use facility.

“This project will create about 84 jobs and continue to provide economic benefits to the community, while creating an impressive entry point for visitors to Cairns,” Mr Fraser said.

“The refurbished terminal will provide a significant boost to the local cruise ship industry, which contributes about $30 million to the Cairns economy every year.”

Forty-three international vessels visited Cairns in 2008/09.

The restoration work will be guided by specialist heritage consultants, with help from the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s heritage experts.

“Items of cultural heritage and significance will be retained, restored or upgraded as necessary and featured within the development,” Mr Fraser said.

The work will include refurbishment of the heritage shed, construction of pedestrian zones, covered access to new bus and taxi bays and landscaping.

Mr Fraser said the work would be undertaken by Hutchinson Builders, one of Queensland's largest privately owned construction companies, which has been operating in Cairns for about 13 years.

The Member for Cairns, Desley Boyle, said she was particularly pleased with the way the project merged the best of the old and the new.

“This project combines aspects of far northern history and lifestyle with contemporary international style by coupling the old port shipping wharfs with the new cruise ship terminal,” Ms Boyle said.

“This will be a great facility to welcome cruise ship visitors to the region. From this newly revamped facility, they will come to Cairns to have a great time, spend some money onshore and support our local tourism industry.”

Paul De Jong, Cairns team leader for Hutchinson Builders, said his company was very excited about undertaking the project.

“Original construction on the heritage-listed wharf and shed started in 1912, the same year Hutchinson Builders was established," Mr De Jong said.

“We thank the Queensland Government for providing funding for the project to proceed, and the Far North Queensland Port Corporation and the consultant team for selecting Hutchinson Builders as the building contractor.”

OTHER PROJECT DETAILS:-

• The historical wharf entry off Wharf Street will be retained and upgraded and the original rail tracks will remain, to demonstrate the historical activities on the site.
• Conservation of the massed timber framed Wharf Shed combined with modern window panels, will provide a building design reflecting the history of the site while providing a quality facility for cruise passengers.
• Specific elements such as the Clock Tower structure, the Bronze Bell, the timber doors and central columns, wharf bollards, historical signs and markings will receive specialist conservation treatments.
• New landscaping, feature pavements, artwork and interpretive signs and graphic displays will be undertaken to further enhance the appreciation of the site and its history.