sport

Cairns Sports Venues Receive Funding for Major Infrastructure Upgrades

Barlow Park, Cazalys Stadium and other local facilities receive targeted funding for lighting, seating and new courts.

By Cairns Sport Desk · Published 18 July 2026

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Barlow Park has completed a $10.9 million lighting and audiovisual upgrade funded by $6.9 million from Cairns Council and $4 million from the State Government to meet TV broadcast standards for 2032 Brisbane Games preliminary football matches. The Australian and Queensland governments have jointly allocated $91 million to rebuild the West Stand, raising permanent seating from 1,700 to 3,500 seats plus 1,500 retractable seats while targeting a 20,000 capacity during the 2032 Olympics with temporary seating.

Barlow Park Developments

The North Queensland Cowboys are advancing plans for a proposed $30 million High-Performance Centre at West Barlow Park that has secured a $15 million Federal Government commitment to serve as a base for their NRLW team and the Northern Pride. These works build on the recent lighting and audiovisual improvements already delivered at the venue.

Cazalys Stadium Masterplan

AFL Cairns announced a $25 million masterplan upgrade for Cazalys Stadium that includes a new 2,200-seat grandstand to increase total undercover seating to approximately 5,000 seats with a long-term goal of 20,000 capacity. The project focuses on improving spectator facilities at the established rectangular stadium site.

Council Budget Allocations

Cairns Regional Council's 2025/26 Budget includes nearly $2.1 million specifically for upgrading sporting facilities and $2.9 million for a new Henley Street Tennis Club with four synthetic grass courts at Lions Park. These allocations support ongoing maintenance and expansion of community-level venues across the region.

The upgrades address broadcast requirements and seating capacity at major rectangular venues while adding new courts at a local park site. Funding sources span council, state and federal contributions tied to specific projects at Barlow Park, Cazalys Stadium and Lions Park. Further planning for the High-Performance Centre and grandstand works will proceed under existing government commitments.