Major Barlow Park upgrade locked in
A $91 million upgrade of Barlow Park in Cairns has been given the green light, with a new Western Grandstand to boost capacity for the 2032 Olympic Games.
Australian and Queensland governments have jointly allocated funding from the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program for the upgrade and procurement for the project will commence shortly.
The upgrade will see the current 1,700-seat West Stand rebuilt and its capacity more than doubled to 3,500 permanent seats, with an additional 1,500 retractable seats for use over the existing athletics track.
During the Olympic Games, the venue will be able to host football preliminaries with the addition of around 15,000 temporary seats, boosting the total capacity to 20,000.
Spectators will enjoy improved visibility and amenities, with the upgrade including space for food and beverage outlets and a function room, and incorporating best practice sustainability and accessibility standards.
The upgrade will also deliver better access to onsite amenities for athletes and players, including equitable access for female players and referees thanks to an increase in the number of changing facilities.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said, “In eight years’ time, our Aussie football stars of the future could be playing here at Barlow Park in search of a gold medal in front of 20,000 people.”
“While it will provide a fantastic venue for the Games in 2032, these upgrades are a game-changer for the region.
“An upgraded Barlow Park will provide Cairns with a world-class venue that will help entice international events to the city and help inspire the next generation of our sporting stars.”
The project will support an average of 77 full-time equivalent jobs across each year of construction as well as further employment opportunities to support the venue’s ongoing operations and maintenance.
The tender process for the Managing Contractor will commence shortly. Appointment of the successful Managing Contractor is expected in late 2024, allowing works to begin in late 2025 and finish in 2028.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed to sourcing at least 30 per cent of procurement from Queensland small and medium-sized enterprises for the Minor Venues Program, as well as targets for 10-15 per cent of all the hours on the projects to be undertaken by apprentices or trainees – helping to deliver the pipeline of construction workers the growing state needs.
Sport Minister and Member for Cairns Michael Healy said, “The multi-million-dollar Barlow Park upgrade will support Cairns to attract international sporting and entertainment events in the future.”
“This is a fantastic development that will deliver a strong legacy outcome, leveraging existing venues and providing capacity for a growing city.
“Cairns is set to become home to talented young athletes, top sports teams, and the Olympics football preliminaries. Our ongoing investment will ensure kids in the North get every opportunity to grow and develop into world class champions.”
