Welcome

Welcome to our new subscribers and thank your for your ongoing interest in The Precinct project.

We have achieved a significant milestone in the project with work starting on the Munro Martin Park redevelopment on Monday 31 August.

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Work started

Council has begun preliminary site works at Munro Martin Park.

This has involved installing security fencing, removing trees and demolishing concrete footpaths.

Keep up to date on the works >

Reuse wherever possible

As part of the preliminary works Council has removed 3 mango trees for the Munro Martin Park site. The wood from these trees - anything above 300mm diameter - has been salvaged with the intention of curing and milling the wood to be used in Council projects, including the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Council has also established an asset disposal register where we log materials that have been salvaged for reuse. Council will then make these materials available to local organisations on a needs basis.

We will let you know through this newsletter, and on Council's website, what materials are available and when Council will start taking requests for their reuse.

Pencil orchids and elkhorns

Several of the large trees in Munro Martin Park have beautiful, well established pencil orchids and elkhorns.

Council has carefully removed the plants so they can be replanted in Munro Martin Parklands.

The orchids have been divided into three groups: 2 groups are at Council's Stratford nursery being cared for, the 3rd group has been given to James Cook University to be used as teaching elements in the uni's herbarium.

One of the elkhorns (top) and a collection of pencil orchids (bottom) rescued from trees at Munro Martin park.

Vines under way

Mayor Bob Manning and Landscape Architect Andrew Prowse gave the media a sneak peek of vines being "pre-grown" at Council's nursery ready to be planted in Munro Martin Parklands.

The vines are being trained on trellising to ensure they will be easy to transfer to the pergolas and arbours that will form a covered walkway along the Sheridan Street frontage.

Read the media release >

Mayor Manning (left) and Mr Prowse (right) inspect the vines at Council's nursery.

Tree removal

There has been some publicity this week about removal of trees at the park.

When Munro Martin Parkland is completed, there will be a net gain of 32 trees and 7200 plants (vines, bushes, ground covers and trees).

Before construction:

45 mature and semi-mature trees
15 juvenile trees
135 mature and semi-mature palms

Trees to be removed:

21 mature and semi-mature trees
10 juvenile trees

Vegetation to be planted:

63 trees
6975 shrubs and ground covers
275 vines

Civic Theatre reopens

The Cairns Civic Theatre has reopened ready for the Cairns Choral Society's Gala Performance on 12 and 13 September.

The theatre was closed in July after an inspection identified Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) that had been used as a fire retardant..

All exposed asbestos materials have been sealed and covered and the entire theatre has been thoroughly cleaned.

The plaque at Munro Martin Park celebrating the contribution of the sisters

Munro Martin sisters search continues

We are still searching for any living relatives of the Munro Martin step-sisters - and any historic images of the park.

Council would like to recognise the generosity of the Munro Martin families in official celebrations and include their story in the park's heritage walking trail.

We are also searching for any photos of the park that can enhance our interpretative signage.

Have your say

If you have any questions or feedback about The Precinct project please don't hesitate to get in contact with us via theprecinct@cairns.qld.gov.au

And you can always check out the answers to our Frequently Asked Questions.

Cairns Regional Council
119 - 145 Spence St, Cairns
PO Box 359
Cairns Q 4870
Cairns: +61 7 4044 304

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