Twice voted the ‘world’s best congress centre’ (in 2004 and 2014) and celebrating its silver anniversary this year, the Cairns Convention Centre’s refurbishment project is nearing completion.
With a capacity of 5,300, the outside of the complex has undergone some significant upgrades, with local tiling company Only Floors doubling its workforce to 20 in order to finish the job.
Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni said that business owners Anthony and Leanne Dunlea have laid 4,000 square metres of tiles as part of the $176 million project.
“Anthony and Leanne have been operating their family-owned business out of Edge Hill for over 20 years and have previously helped the Palaszczuk Government deliver upgrades to Cairns Hospital.
“Floor to ceiling tiles in the Convention Centre kitchen and bathrooms required around 20,000 kilograms of adhesives and each one is being laid by a local.
“With practical completion of refurbishment works on track for 31 March, local jobs will continue to be a major focus as expansion works continue until mid-2022.”
Mr de Brenni said 604 workers have been inducted to work on-site since construction began in May 2020, with the procurement policy ensuring 515 hail from the Far North.
Only Floors’ Leanne Dunlea said the project’s benefits are being felt throughout the community.
“We employ Cairns locals ourselves, and we always try to work with other local businesses through our supply network,” she said.
“Anthony is a graduate of Trinity Bay High School so the local jobs focus that’s been applied to this project really resonates with him.”
Smithfield State High School graduate and first-year apprentice tiler Blake Vanderwerff said he was getting the very best support.
“I love the tropics and this apprenticeship means I can continue to live locally here in Cairns with my family and friends and be trained by some of the best tilers in the business,” he said.
Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said stage two works had already kicked off.
“We’re actually talking about a 10,500 square metre expansion,” Mr Healy said.
“Piling works to support the foundations of the new expansion are well underway with some 320 piles being placed around the site as we speak, mapping out just how impressive the final product will be.
“In the next 12 months, we’ll start to see the large undercover forecourt, larger main entry and a 410-seat plenary lecture space take shape, which will help Cairns attract new conferences and events of greater size and complexity.
It is believed the new facility will draw an extra 20,000 visitors to the region annually, injecting an additional $50 million into the local economy every year.
