“Cairns Regional Council’s performing arts centre project cannot and will not proceed on the Ports North Wharf site." That's the unequivocal message from Mayor Bob Manning spelling an end to the Cairns Entertainment Precinct in its current form.

Cr Manning said the State Government has also pulled support of the site, but added he will not turn his back on arts and entertainment in the region.

"I am openly committed to developing a performing arts centre on an alternative site or reworking the existing Civic Theatre," he said.

“Council will do all it can to preserve the $97.3 million of State and Federal government funds, which have been promised to this region. We will seek to have that funding available for an alternative site such as the Ports North administration location or another project.

“There have been misleading claims that Council is in breach of its contracts with the State and Federal governments. We have not received any notice of breach of contract," he said.

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Cr Manning said Council were investigating other options for funding such as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

"I can state there has been preliminary interest in this type of arrangement. A PPP is not a one-size-fits-all model but by embracing this principle, we can deliver a project that is affordable and practical.

“It is important to point out that we are not simply picking up the current project as it stands and moving it to an alternative site. The figures of between $118 million and $124 million refer to the project in its current form being moved to another site.

The scope of this project will be reviewed in terms of both affordability and site. Furthermore, I am committed to ensuring that the cost to ratepayers in the development of a performing arts project does not exceed the previously forecast amount of $57.3million.”