Work to upgrade lighting in Anzac Park in the Cairns CBD will start this week.
The upgrades, which will involve replacing currenting lighting with the installation of 18 new light poles, fairy lights and an upgraded switchboard, will enhance the park's appeal and improve safety.
The lighting upgrade is Stage 1 of a larger project that will include the replacement of footpaths in coming years.
Council will also take the opportunity to the repair the irrigation system in the park, which is located adjacent to the Pullman Reef Casino
The lighting upgrade will require the removal of four palms and possibly three other trees to allow for the new infrastructure.
Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden said while it was regrettable that some trees would be removed, it was necessary to allow for the much-needed lighting upgrade.
"Anzac Park is one of the oldest parks in Cairns and so it was important that through the planning process that careful considered was given to which trees would be removed and how it would affect the overall ambience of the park," Cr Eden said.
"The current lighting no longer meets the standards expected of locals and visitors, and in some areas the park can be quite dark and unappealing.
"Once complete, the upgrades will open up and lighten the park, add to its appeal and also improve safety by removing obstructions to CCTV sight lines."
The lighting installations are expected to start tomorrow (Thursday 12 May) and to be completed by 30 June. Irrigation works and landscaping remediation will continue until August.
The park will be closed while the works are being undertaken, although the majority of the footpaths will remain accessible to pedestrians.
The $640,000 project received $370,000 in funding through the Australian Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.
The LRCI program supports local Councils to deliver priority local road and community infrastructure projects across Australia, supporting jobs and the resilience of local economies to help communities bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
