General News
6 April, 2026
Bigger thinking matters
THE Mayor is elected by the entire city to provide leadership and help shape the long term vision for the community.
Councillors are elected to represent their divisions and work together to guide that direction.
When that alignment is strong, the organisation receives clear direction.
Officers can focus on delivering the work the community expects and residents can clearly see who is accountable for decisions.
For a city with the potential of Cairns, that bigger thinking matters.
One of the most valuable things I did early in this term was to bring people together through a series of mayoral roundtables.
Leaders from across industry, sport, tourism, the arts and community organisations sat down to talk about the future of our city.
Those conversations helped shape my thinking about where Cairns can go next.
They reinforced something I hear often when I am out in the community, whether it is at a local event, walking along the Esplanade or simply doing the grocery shopping. People believe in this place.
They want to see Cairns grow, evolve and seize the opportunities ahead. Looking ahead, the next two years are about continuing to position ‘Team Cairns’ for the future.
The announcement of the contract award for the Barlow Park upgrades is an important step as Cairns prepares to play its part in the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Beyond that project, council has also secured funding to master plan a broader multi-event precinct centred around Barlow Park and the Cairns Showgrounds. This work will identify key projects, scope them and establish the investment required to bring them to life.
At its heart, this is about placemaking. Creating a vibrant destination where sport, entertainment, culture and community life come together in one connected part of our city.
Projects like this have the potential to become powerful economic engines for the region while also creating places where the community can gather, celebrate and share experiences.
Cairns is also increasingly stepping confidently into its role as Australia’s gateway to the Pacific.
Strengthening relationships across the region creates opportunities for cultural exchange, trade, sport and investment, particularly with our close neighbour Papua New Guinea.
I often talk about our ‘Cairnsness’, what defines us as a community and as a city.
We are remote geographically but close as a community. We are tough and resilient because we have to be. We are innovative and hard working. We pull together in adversity and help each other out when the going gets tough.
We champion the underdog and call out the bullies. We can have a laugh but not at the expense of others.
Above all we know that we are better together than divided.
As we celebrate 150 years of Cairns, the responsibility we carry is, not just to honour the past, but to shape the future of the next 150.
If you are not on Team Cairns, ask yourself what team you are on and why?
By the numbers – first half of the term
Community and business events attended: 395
Listening posts held: 29
Council meetings chaired: 40 of 43
Meetings with state and federal representatives: 85
Media interviews and appearances: 129
Emails received: 23,192
Citizenship ceremonies conducted: 19
Number one issue raised (to me) by residents: crime
