According to a media release received from the Warren Entsch campaign office, our LNP candidate for Leichhardt Warren Entsch has secured $40 million to progress his vision for a Tropical Sports and Cultural Precinct for Cairns City.

It appears he has convinced the Coalition leadership to commit this $40 million over the next two years to secure the project and produce substantial economic benefits for the region.

Mr Entsch said the funding was to be announced by a visiting LNP Leadership Group member, but in light of community angst caused by mischievous and inaccurate lies from the Labor Member, he had decided to announce the initiative immediately.  “This is an innovative initiative, developed in cooperation with a wide range of community organisations and individuals,” Mr Entsch said.  “It goes to the heart of developing wider economic opportunities for Cairns.”

Mr Entsch said the initiative included an immediate $10 million injection of funding to enable projects that are ‘shovel ready’ to proceed, with priority to be given to Cairns-based businesses.

This will include:

• $3.5 million for stage one of the hockey stadium
• $3.9 million for roof covering for the tennis centre
• $3.5 million for the first stage of the rectangular precinct upgrade

“In addition, a further $1.5 million will be provided to prepare an updated business plan for the Sports and Cultural Precinct, which will include an upgrade of the Tobruk Memorial Pool, a rectangular stadium for soccer, rugby league and rugby union, a netball stadium and a 1500 seat performing arts centre and adjoining precinct,” he said.

“The Coalition will also provide a further $27.6 million contribution towards the Tropical Sports and Cultural Precinct, subject to the findings of the business plan and agreement to an appropriate funding contribution from the state and local government.

Mr Entsch assured us that, “This is not smoke and mirrors; this is real funding that represents the start of a major performing arts and international sporting precinct for Cairns and the region.   “It is the first step towards creating a brand new industry, which will help turn around the decline Far North Queensland has experienced under Labor.

Mr Entsch said Far North Queensland could expect more announcements in the remaining two and a half weeks of the election.  “There are significant issues related to indigenous communities, youth, James Cook University, Health, Roads and Education, that need solutions,” Mr Entsch said.  “You will find that, in the framework of major policy announcements by the Leadership over the next week or so that Cairns will benefit with the inclusion of regional initiatives within an overall framework.”

Editors Comments: It was only Tuesday of last week that Mr Abbott was throwing cold water on Mr Entsch's ambitious plans for these Cairns City developments.  Now it seems that everything is 'hunky dorey' in the playground again.  What a difference a week makes, eh?  Call me cynical but the phrase "Show me the Money" keeps rattling around in my head.  Nothing personal, Mr Entsch, but I'd like to hear Mr Abbott confirm these plans are in the budget.  Oh and by the way, are there any plans for Port Douglas and surrounding regions?  It's just that while these big carrots are being thrown about for Cairns to help the voting process, I think residents in the far(ther) north would like to be told what's in it for them!