A NEW entertainment precinct based at Munro Martin Park will take centre stage in an “overdue” revitalisation of Cairns’ major performing arts assets.

Cairns Regional Council is expected today to commit to progressing with a new Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) on the current site of the ageing Civic Theatre.

The new theatre would be paired with redeveloped parklands across the road, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and tropical gardens.

The development has been called The Precinct and estimated to cost $65 million.

media_camera Plans for a replacement building and paved road where the Cairns Civic Theatre is currently. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

The council is also expected today to commit to a $2.2 million upgrade of the Tanks Art Centre.

This will take place in November and is scheduled to be completed by February, in time for work to start at CPAC.

The new theatre and parklands are expected to be open 18 months later.

The precinct would be funded from the council’s capital works budget over the next three years, but the council will seek funding from state and federal governments.

media_camera Aerial representation of a makeover of Munro Martin Park for Cairns Regional Council’s proposed "The Precinct”. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said if any government support was not forthcoming, the project would still move forward.

“The council will fund this and this is going ahead,’’ he said.

“The Munro Martin Parklands will start in a couple of months’ time and the Cairns Performing Arts Centre will go out to tender probably around August.

“We will, of course, be talking to the State Government and the Federal Government about funding.

“We have already spoken to them about it.

“If we say we’re going to go out and build it, subject to them approving funding, if they don’t approve funding then the council will fund it all itself.

“But I suggest to the state and federal members that would be frowned upon by the people of Cairns, especially when you consider what’s gone to other places.”

media_camera Indoor concept plans for "The Precinct" - Cairns' new entertainment precinct. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

The establishment of an entertainment complex in the Cairns’ centre has been a sore spot for the city since a complex initially proposed for the waterfront about three years ago was scrapped.

The $154.6 million project relied upon $57.3 million from council, $97.3 million from the State and $40 million from the Federal Government.

When the Newman Government walked away from the project, the current council followed suit.

media_camera An artist’s interpretation of a walkway through the proposed "The Precinct”. PICTURE: SUPPLIED

Cr Manning said his council had always remained committed to upgrading the city’s entertainment facilities, es­p­ecially the Civic Theatre.

He said council had consulted with the city’s major arts groups about what was needed.

“We’ve been talking about a performing arts centre in this town since 2008 and before,” he said.

“We’re talking about rebuilding the facility that’s there now.

“We’re enhancing it with this outdoor venue and botanical parkland on a historical site, and we have been talking and consulting with groups as we have gone along.

“I think there’s a time and a place for everything, and there’s a time when you’ve got to get moving on something and just get it done.”