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Project updates about the Cairns Convention Centre upgrade

Works are underway on the Cairns Convention Centre, expansion and refurbishment.

Snapshot as at 8 January 2021

  • 78 subcontracts have been awarded
  • 55 of these awarded to local businesses
  • 531 onsite workers inducted, 436 are local
    Note: This figure fluctuates based on the complexity of the trade packages being delivered and is influenced by the availability of skilled workers locally. Where possible, subcontractors are encouraged to employ local workers.

Completion of the refurbishment works is forecast late-March 2021. The expansion works are expected to be complete mid-2022.

Stunning new designs detail now available

The latest architectural designs for the new-look Cairns Convention Centre have just been released, revealing for the first time an impressive interior bathed in sunlight and stunning sky deck overlooking Trinity Inlet.

View the image gallery

Long lead specialist items

From cheering on the Cairns Taipans to playing host to Australian and international conference guests, the new-look Cairns Convention Centre will make the most of state-of-the-art specialist equipment to create a space that can be used for performances, art exhibitions, and conferences.

These long lead time items, only available for manufacture outside of Queensland, will transform the Centre:

  • Innovative retractable seating from an internationally renowned manufacturer will create a truly flexible space, ready for anything. Similar retractable seating is already in place in Arsenal Football Club, the Royal Albert Hall, the BBC and the State Netball Centre.
  • High-tech operable walls which are globally recognised for their design flexibility and acoustic performance. Each wall panel weighs 615kg, the same as a Giant Queensland Groper. Six containers will be shipped from the USA, if each panel was laying flat and joined, they would nearly be length of Trinity Beach (1.32km)
  • World class chillers which will power reliable, tailored humidity and temperature control for the tropical north. The chillers will keep the Centre at a cool 23 degrees - equivalent to the average minimum temperature in Cairns. The 13740 kg operating weight of the large chiller is approximately half the size of an adult humpback whale. The 5.5m length of the large chiller is the equivalent to the length of local Green Island celebrity croc Cassius.

Retractable seating

This map shows the manufacture and delivery path of the retractable seating needed for the Convention Centre upgrade. The map shows the current location of the retractable seating from where it is being manufactured in the United Kingdom. It will then be shipped from the United Kingdom to Singapore where it will change vessel, before being shipped finally to Cairns.

Operable walls

This map shows the manufacture and delivery path of the operable walls needed for the Convention Centre upgrade. The walls come in two parts. The element for the auditorium was manufactured in the USA and arrived in Cairns in early August. The meeting rooms are currently being manufactured in Melbourne and will be delivered to the Cairns site in late-August 2020.

Chillers

This map shows the manufacture and delivery path of the chillers needed for the Convention Centre upgrade. The chillers were made in France then shipped to Belgium. They have been shipped from Belgium to Sydney where they are currently in Port Botany awaiting transfer to Brisbane. They will be then delivered to Cairns by train in August 2020.

Milestone moment

The sod has been turned and the expansion and refurbishment works continue apace to deliver the new-look Cairns Convention Centre.

While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the delivery of major bespoke plant and equipment items from overseas, the project takes a step closer with the installation of the technologically advanced chiller plant which will deliver the comfort of air-conditioned spaces throughout the future bigger better Centre.

This specialist equipment has come from far and wide and over the next few months will be installed by locals.

Whether cheering on a hot performance by the Cairns Taipans or enjoying a searingly inspirational speech at an international conference, the installation of these chillers marks a cool milestone for the delivery of the $176 million project.

The installation is quite a process! It includes securing the chillers in place, connection to power and other services over the next few months.

A vital piece of the upgrade puzzle, once commissioned, these chillers will power reliable, humidity-controlled air conditioning through the centre, providing comfort for the tropical north.

It has been said that the 5.5m length of the chillers is equivalent to the length of local Green Island celebrity croc Cassius.

Weighing in at 13740 kg when operational, the journey of this state-of-the-art equipment has been no mean feat.

Manufactured in France before being shipped from Belgium to Sydney, the two major chillers were then transported to Brisbane where they were loaded on trucks for their final destination in Cairns.

The installation of the chillers is great news hot off the press, but this is no time for the project team to chill! They’ll continue to work hard to deliver the bigger better Centre that Cairns and the tropical Far North deserve.

Last updated: 
15 January 2021