CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTREDISCOVER THE

CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

THE PRECINCT

THE

CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

MUNRO MARTINPARKLANDS

The project involves the construction of the Cairns Performing

Arts Centre (CPAC) on the site of the existing Cairns Civic

Theatre, and, to create a unique and attractive new precinct,

Munro Martin Park will be developed into attractive parklands

with an outdoor performance space (Munro Martin Parklands).

The Precinct will deliver a striking entry statement to our city

and provide a dedicated performing arts venue that will meet

the needs of the Cairns community for the next 50 years. The

project will be funded from Council’s capital works budget over

the next three years but Council will continue to work with State

and Federal Governments with a view to entering into a funding

partnership for the project. If funds are forthcoming, Council will

be able to redirect some of its funding allocation to other works.

By re-using consultancy and expert advice commissioned for

previous proposals for a new performing arts facility, Council

has been able to make significant time and cost savings. Council

also drew upon significant community consultation undertaken

for previous proposals, and has engaged with users of the

theatre on the new CPAC proposal to ensure the facility will

accommodate the needs of the performing arts sector, whether

local, national or international.

The community has also had the opportunity to provide

feedback on the initial concept for The Precinct via

Council’s website, through a dedicated email address, and

at the Cairns Show.

Council now presents more detail and imagery on the new

Cairns Performing Arts Centre for public comment. When the

Material Change of Use Application is lodged, a statutory period

of consultation will commence during which official submissions

can be lodged with Council.

The Precinct is a $65 million project that will deliver a new purpose-built performing arts centre, complemented by tropical parklands with an outdoor performance space.

By early 2018, Cairns wi l l have a purpose-bui l t , s tate-of- the-art , regional performing arts centre. More than

tr iple the size in f loor area of the exist ing Cairns Civic Theatre, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC)

wil l address the shortfal ls of the exist ing faci l i ty and provide a great ly enhanced audience experience, as

well as back-of-house technical components expected of a modern performance space. As well as the 940-

seat main auditorium, CPAC wil l include a 400-seat studio theatre. Added to this is an outdoor performance

space with room for more than 2500 people (seated), just across Florence Street in the redeveloped Munro

Mart in Parklands. This combinat ion of better faci l i t ies, increased audience capacity and technology to share

experiences across the three venues, wi l l ensure Cairns can attract the very best in terms of touring shows

whi le providing a platform for our home-grown performers to showcase and hone their ski l ls

CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

PERFORMERSWorking with input from the key users of the Civic Theatre, Council has been

able to create a purpose-built theatre with the space and technology needed to

showcase the very best in local and touring performances. Add to this a second

studio theatre that can be configured to suit different performance types and serve

as a much-needed rehearsal or warm up area for the main auditorium. The wider

and deeper main stage is now at national standard and can accommodate full

symphony orchestras (98 musicians) and ballet companies. Greater space in the

stage wings, a larger fly tower, increased fly lines and bigger prop staging area,

will make it easier to put on a full-scale productions whether they be local, state,

national or international. For performers themselves, the pressure on changing

space has been significantly reduced with room for an additional 52 people in front

of mirrors (66 in total), and during peak usage times, such as eisteddfods and end-

of-year showcases, the studio theatre and cross over can also be used for costume

changes. In addition, three times as many back of house toilets will be provided for.

NEW VERSUS OLDTHE CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE WILL DELIVER MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS AND PERFORMERS ALIKE.

AUDIENCEThe combination of stalls and balcony seating in the main auditorium means more

people can enjoy a show while maintaining the intimacy of a smaller facility. And,

for the first time, Cairns audiences will be able to experience the glamour of box

seating, right at home.

Public areas have also been greatly expanded to accommodate the 40% increase

in patrons, with each person having twice as much room as the existing theatre

– without taking the 375m2 terrace into account. The balcony level foyer will also

provide stunning views over the lush tropical gardens of Munro Martin Parklands.

Add to this a significantly larger service area for refreshments and a doubling

in toilet facilities, which will eliminate long queues before shows and during

intermission. And with major improvements to the stage and back of

house facilities, Cairns will be able to attract an even more diverse array of

performances and better accommodate touring shows, ensuring audiences have

the full theatrical experience.

FORM AND FUNCTIONCairns has simply outgrown the 40-year-old Cairns Civic Theatre. Over

the past four decades, our population has more than trebled and

the technology behind modern performances has evolved dramatically.

Council, therefore, set out to create a performing arts centre that will

meet the needs of our city for the next 50 years.In doing so, Council has

drawn on feedback from previous projects and complemented this data

through workshops with the Civic Theatre’s key users, such as the Cairns

Choral Society, junior and senior eisteddfods, Cairns Brass Band, and

local schools and dance academies, and comments from state, national

and international touring groups. Through this process, Council has been

able to set the key functional requirements of the Cairns Performing Arts

Centre – everything from the number of seats to the size of the green room

– which have, in turn, formed the basis of the layout of the building.

LOCATION

Prior to The Precinct, proposals to build a new performing arts centre have revolved around sites, which Council does not have control over, near the

Cairns waterfront, and incorporate other uses such as a museum and retail shopping. The Cairns Performing Arts Centre and Munro Martin Parklands are on Council-controlled land with Council as the sole occupant. This eliminates a wide array for variables, providing certainty of the final delivery and timeline.Added to this is feedback from the Cairns community that residents appreciate the central location of the Cairns Civic Theatre – 500m to the Esplanade and 500m to Shields Street – and see the theatre as an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric.A further option considered was to build CPAC on the Munro Martin Park site. This would have allowed performances to continue at the Civic Theatre until the new facility was opened. Munro Martin Parklands would then be developed on the Civic Theatre site after the building was demolished. While this option ensured continuity, it created planning concerns as both sites would need to be rezoned.Consideration was given to redeveloping the existing theatre. Expert advice, however, indicated 85% of the building would need to be demolished and there was no certainty that the redeveloped building would address all the functional and audience requirements. Another key consideration was the cost of bringing the building up to relevant building and cyclone codes.

The Precinct is just 500m from the main pedestrian routes of the Cairns Esplanade and Shields Street making it easily accessible from the centre of the city.

It is anticipated that by revitalising the area, The Precinct will generate more commercial activity in this part of the city.

At the intersection of the two major vehicle approaches to the city, The Precinct will form a much-needed and unique entry statement to Cairns.

Research shows the community appreciates the central location of the Cairns Civic Theatre and sees the theatre as an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric.

To enhance the connection between CPAC and MMP, pavement treatment will be added to Florence Street. Operable bollards will be used so Florence Street, between Sheridan and Grafton streets, can be closed for major festivals, performances and events that will use both venues.

THE

CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

MUNRO MARTINPARKLANDS

A comfortable 10-minute stroll from the heart of the city, The Precinct will be an extensive redevelopment of existing facilities to create a purpose-built theatre and lush tropical parklands, and in doing so, revitalise this part of Cairns.

WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE HEART OF THE CITY

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre has been designed to reflect our

tropical lifestyle. The landscaping, use of local materials, water feature,

structure of the entry canopy and the façade sun shading, combine to

give the building a particular Cairns identity, by day and by night.

FLORENCE STVIEW

TOTALLY TROPICAL

With a three-storey façade and 9-storey fly tower, CPAC is a building on a grand scale that has been carefully structured to appear out of the landscape, rather than dominating its

surrounds. Extensive landscaping softens the building while aluminium blades mitigate the harsh, tropical climate while allowing soft, natural light to brighten the interior. Architectural

elements synonymous with the tropics have been used and can be seen reflected in the verandah-like foyer spaces that bring the outside in and the inside out as well as vertical plantings.FLORENCE ST

ENTRY

THOROUGHLY MODERN DESIGN

CPAC COMES ALIVE AT NIGHTBy day the aluminium-blade screening used on the exterior provides relief from the

hot Tropical sun. But by night, it creates a spectacular lantern effect that literally lights

up the area, welcoming theatre-goers while wowing visitors on their way into the city.

THE TERRACE

41 2 3 5 6The terrace serves as an informal meeting area before and after shows, as well as intermission, and can be used as a performance space in its own right

The two-way bar means patrons can purchase refreshments wherever they choose to mingle

Use of verandah-like foyer spaces helps to bring the outside in, and the inside out

Screening reduces the heat and glare of the tropical sun, while providing soft natural lighting

Plantings will soften the building while highlighting our tropical flora

The selection rich, warm colours and locally sourced materials sets the theme for the building.

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FOYERVIEW

41 2 3 5Three-storeys high and with 725m2 of floor space — 641m2 ground floor and 84m2 balcony level — the new foyer is almost three times the size of that in the existing theatre

The balcony-level foyer and internal staircase provide stunning views over Munro Martin Parklands

Screening mitigates the strong, hot tropical sun while providing soft, natural light

A significantly larger bar will reduce wait times for refreshments

Interior finishes use rich, warm colours, continuing the theme set by the exterior. Where possible, locally sourced materials will be used

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BALCONY VIEW

The view of Munro Martin Parklands from the balcony of the Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

THE THEATRE

41 2 3 5 6The new auditorium has 941 seats, making it half as big again as the existing theatre

Balcony seating for 260 people has been introduced, including 20 in the balcony boxes, creating a more intimate theatre with different seating options for patrons

Seating has been carefully planned to ensure uninterrupted sight lines so there isn’t a bad seat in the house

A dual-aisle format makes it easy for people to get to and from their seats

Locally sourced timber will bring warmth to the interior while providing acoustic benefits

The stage has been increased to modern-day standards, and can accommodate a full symphony orchestra or ballet company

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GRAFTON STAPPROACH

The Grafton Street view of the CPAC

SHERIDAN STREET VIEW

The Sheridan Street view of the CPAC

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FLO

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GRAFTON STREET

FOYER

DROP OFF

STAGE

FRONTTERRACE

SHERIDAN STREET

MAIN AUDITORIUM

SECOND THEATRE

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CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

CLIENT PRESENTATION13TH OCTOBER 2015

1:400@A30 4 8 12

GROUND FLOOR

BALCONY LEVEL PLAN

STAGEBELOW

PLANT

BALCONY

SECOND THEATRE BALCONY

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CAIRNS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

CLIENT PRESENTATION13TH OCTOBER 2015

1:400@A30 4 8 12

BALCONY LEVEL

FLOOR PLAN

The Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be twice the size of the existing theatre, making room for greatly enhanced back-of-stage functionality while giving patrons greater comfort in all aspects of their visit.

EXISTING CIVIC THEATRE NEW PURPOSE BUILT CPAC

Total floor area (all levels) 2,075m2 7,385m2 Seating main theatre 669 941 including 260 balcony seats and 20 box seats

Seating studio theatre NA 400 including 81 balcony seats

Stage dimensions 10m deep by 22m wide 13.5m deep by 27m wide large enough for a full symphony orchestra or ballet companyProscenium 13.1m 14m

Fly lines 21 48

Dressing rooms 14 people 66 people

Green room 30m2 50m2

Toilets Female 12, Male 8 (including urinals) Female 28, Male 14 (including urinals) Ground floor, female 18, Male 9 Balcony, Female 10, Male 5 3 accessible toilets

Hearing loop NA Yes

Foyer 224m2 641m2

Balcony foyer NA 84m2

Food and refreshment service 6m 33m

Terrace NA 375m2 paved area

Orchestra pit 27m2 38m2

Crying room NA 15m2

Porte Cochere NA 18.75m 3-4 car lengths or 50-seater bus and 1 car

COMPARISON

With a footprint of 4200m2 the new Cairns Performing Arts Centre will be more than twice the size of the existing Cairns Civic Theatre

EXISTING THEATRE

FOOTPRINT1,900 SQM

NEW CPAC FOOTPRINT

Parking 110 onsite spaces 158 onsite spaces

Better functionality, greater comfort

DEMOUNTABLES

MUNRO MARTINPARKLANDS

A lush, tropical entry statement to Cairns31 2

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The stage, amphitheatre and lawn area can accommodate concerts for more than 2500 people (seated) or be used for festivals and community events

Pergolas and arbours will be used to display tropical, flowering vines that are impossible to showcase at the Cairns Botanic Gardens due to their rapid growth

Public amenities have been cleverly incorporated into the amphitheatre mound

The large plaza will be well used throughout the day and as a meeting point before performances.

The obelisk will be retained and refurbished to honour the half-sisters Margaret Munro and Janet Martin for whom the park is named after

Directly opposite CPAC, Munro Martin Parklands will not only be a rich, tropical parklands, the

large lawn area, amphitheatre and stage, will provide a third performance and entertainment space within The Precinct. The park has been a key gathering point for the Cairns community for more than a century, although it has been underutilised in recent years. As part of The Precinct, Munro Martin Parklands will be reinstated as the city’s premiere park. Visitors will be able to wander through dramatic vine displays, picnic beneath the trees, and catch up in the plaza.

The central lawn will play host to community events and festivals, and music and performances will ring out from the small stage. For safety and security, as well as accommodating ticketed events, the parklands will be fully fenced so it can be closed at night or after evening events and performances. At the intersection of the northern and southern routes into Cairns, Munro Martin Parklands will not only be a beautiful, botanic park for residents but provide a dramatic entry statement for the city.

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CAIRNS PERFORMING

ARTS CENTRE

For more information on The Precinct, visit Council’s website, cairns.qld.gov.au/ThePrecinct.

We welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can comment on the project via the website, by email

theprecinct@cairns.qld.gov.au, or at any of Council’s customer service centres and libraries.