THE Cairns Aquarium is celebrating 12 months of construction of one of the regions most anticipated tourist attractions.

With 75% of total construction finalised the aquarium is now on track to achieve practical completion in the first week of April with a commissioning phase to follow.

Next week will see the final pour for the Level Two slab take place, providing a degree of weather proofing that will facilitate the arrival of interior fit-out teams who will begin installing sprinkler, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Final preparation of concrete for painting will also begin.

Cairns residents have expressed their delight at the sight of a crane on the Cairns CBD skyline for the past 12 months and as the aquarium building rises from the ground the anticipation and level of enquiry for tickets has continued to build. This enquiry and demand has seen the aquarium bring forward its ticket release date by providing an Annual Pass Gift Voucher that is available for purchase.

“Each day the construction process brings us closer to our opening date and each day we see an increased level of interest and enquiry from the local market so it made sense to cater for this demand by launching a “Locals Pass,” Cairns Aquarium General Manager, Julie Cullen, said.

“This will be in the form of a Gift Voucher for Annual Passes with more ticket types to be made available closer to the opening date”.