Business
15 July, 2024
End of port’s historic shed
THE White’s Shed historic sugar handling building that is badly dilapidated behind the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal is to be demolished.
It has not been used since the mid-1960s when the Cairns bulk sugar terminal was opened at Portsmith.
Back in 2012 White’s Shed was to be incorporated in a proposed Cairns entertainment precinct and be refurbished to include community spaces and a museum.
It was part of former mayor Val Schier’s “Valcano” project, which also included 1100-seat and 450-seat theatres, a central plaza and other facilities. It never proceeded beyond the initial design phase.
A Ports North spokeswoman said the port authority and local stakeholders had been calling for the shed’s removal for some time, however, inside was a bag-stacking conveyor that was recognised as infrastructure of significant cultural heritage.
“This has meant the deconstruction of the building has required careful consideration and consultation with the Queensland Heritage Council,” she said.
“We now have an approved plan in place to deconstruct the shed and preserve the bag-stacking conveyer during the first three weeks of August 2024.
“The timing coincides with a break in cruise shipping, avoiding disruption to services and passengers.
“Ahead of deconstruction, we need to finalise the contractor and approach. We anticipate areas of the parkland directly in front of the cruise liner terminal may need to be cleared of trees to allow adequate access to the site.
“It is also possible that other park features may need to be temporarily relocated to avoid damage. As part of the planning, we have consulted the relevant agencies and groups to ensure we respect cultural and environmental aspects.
“During the deconstruction period we need to close a section of Wharf Street on the southbound side and some areas of the park will need to be fenced off from the public.
“All work is due to be completed, including total restoration of the parkland, by end of September 2024.”
The spokeswoman said at this stage it was not known what would be done with the cleared site.
She said it was hoped the bag- stacker, which would be stored safely off-site, would go on display in the future.
