Page 36 - Tropic Magazine Issue 30

TROPIC • CONSTRUCTION

Progress report

INFRASTRUCTURE
Tropic takes stock on
the key infrastructure
projects and developments
in the region.

Words: Annabel Bowles
From roadworks (so many
roadworks) to new health facilities, JCU Ideas Lab
schools, hiking trails, hotels, and arts
and tourism precincts, there’s a lot ONES TO WATCH
happening across the Tropical North.
In this special report we’ve cast our Cairns University Hospital
eye over what’s been promised, in While the Cairns University Captain Cook
progress, gone MIA and what we’ve Hospital wasn’t included in the
achieved in the past five years. While latest Budget, the university Highway upgrade
there are still many projects on our is pushing ahead with the Early works are due to start on
wishlist – a new sports stadium development after brokering a the largely federal government-
to draw national-level sport to the land deal in April. JCU says it’s in funded $359-million project in
city, a public transport solution and positive discussions with both September, with the final works
a greater focus on renewables and state and federal governments scheduled to begin in late 2022.
tropical architecture to name a few – regarding required funding.
some exciting things are underway. Wangetti Trail
Smithfield Bypass Construction’s underway on the
The $164-millon project Mowbray River footbridge, while
connecting McGregor Rd the entire 94-kilometre, largely
Marine Precinct roundabout and the Cairns state-funded $41.4-million project
More than $200-million has Western Arterial Road – a bypass is scheduled to be operational by
been put forth by the Federal route on the Captain Cook next year.
Government to upgrade HMAS Highway – is due to be complete
Cairns, build a maintenance by the year’s end. The Fairmont Port Douglas
centre, build new warcraft and Construction has started on the
upskill our Pacific neighbours. Cairns Convention Centre huge 253-room, $300-million
Read more on Page 18. After reopening its refurbished luxury eco resort, with an opening
building in May, the Cairns date scheduled by 2023. It will be
Newman Catholic College Convention Centre’s expansion is the first Australian destination for
The campus on the JCU grounds due to be complete mid next year operator Accor Fairmont.
is due to be complete by the end following repeated delays.
of this year, ready to welcome its Cairns Mental
first cohort of students in 2022. Daintree microgrid Health Facility
It will be Australia’s first school $19.3-million in federal funding Works have started on the
situated in a university precinct. has been granted to this $70-million investment towards
renewable energy project, the a new mental health unit at
Mandingalbay Yidinji first of its kind in Australia. Cairns Hospital, expected to be
eco-tourism project Construction is expected to operational by 2022.
Stage 1 of the $40-million project commence by the end of this year.
is almost complete, which Bruce Highway
includes a pontoon jetty, arrival Atherton Hospital More than $600-million in both
shelter, amenities block and a The second stage – a new federal and state funds have
53-metre boat. The Mandingalbay purpose-built four-storey been put towards duplicating the
Yidinji People are now seeking Clinical Services Building – of number of lanes from Edmonton
investment for three 33-metre- the $70-million redevelopment is to Gordonvale, as well as
high towers – the centrepiece of underway, due to be complete mid widening Kate St to Aumuller St.
the project – through Indigenous next year. The first stage opened The six-year timeline is set to be
Business Australia. last September. complete in 2023.

36 • Tropic • Issue 30