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Cairns Regional Council has reported that in the year since its opening the Munro Martin Parklands has become a much-loved addition to the city, delivering on the promise of providing a unique botanic experience and outdoor performance space.

Speaking on the eve of the Parkland’s first year anniversary last week, Mayor Bob Manning stated “Munro Martin Parklands has been transformed from an unloved, under-used, eye sore to a venue that the people of Cairns can be proud of.

“It’s extremely satisfying to see that our vision of a vibrant, tropical parklands with a high-calibre performance space has come to fruition. To have the likes of the Royal Ballet choosing to perform in Cairns is a testament to the quality of the venue.

“We’ve not only been able to present amazing touring productions that may otherwise not have come to the city, but just as importantly MMP has been a platform for our own home-grown talent.”

Mayor Manning praised the work of landscape architect Andrew Prowse who was instrumental in the evolution of the parklands project, taking it from the initial idea of a small recreational park to what is now a stunning entry statement to the city.

Designed to display tropical vines that are just too big for a traditional botanic gardens, the 72 arbours are now awash with tropical foliage creating a shady network of paths for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Munro Martin Parklands was officially opened on 19th August last year by Mayor Manning and Paul De Jersey, Governor of Queensland, with a sell-out performance of Queensland Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro.

One component of The Precinct, the parklands will complement the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), currently under construction across Florence Street. With seating for a combined 1,300 people in the main auditorium and black-box theatre and the ability to close Florence Street for larger festivals, The Precinct will play a pivotal role in showcasing Cairns as the Arts and Cultural Capital of the North.

Built at a cost of $12million, Munro Martin Parklands has hosted 13 performances attracting an audience of almost 40,000 people since its opening.

In a related development of the management of Cairns Regional Council’s open spaces,  parks can now be named after living people following an update of Council’s Naming of Parks and Reserves Policy.

The Sport and Community Services Committee recently voted to amend the policy which had previously required someone to be deceased before a park could be named in their honour.

Committee Chair Councillor Cathy Zeiger explained “park names are chosen to recognise the contribution people have made to their community, often over a long period of time.

“It makes sense that Council can honour those people while they are living so we can properly recognise their contribution and include them and their family in the celebrations.”

Images: Jade vines in flower at Munro Martin Parklands (top) and a concert event in the Parklands (below).

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