Whose Heritage

Introduction Over the past two decades Cairns landscape has transformed from a remote tourist town beside Great Barrier Reef to an international, tropical city with new focus on culture and arts. A number of important urban design projects have enabled this transformation, including key waterfront redevelopments, addition large shopping mall convention centre, renovated museum, now performing arts precinct proposed ‘gallery precinct’ for people access art forms events. Anderson Law (556) depict recent developments as kind “mayor’s trophy collection” or set “must have” attractions needs stay ‘competitive’. More generally they might be interpreted ‘entrepreneurial urbanism’ (Harvey) attractors Richard Florida’s creative class, although there is more scepticism about how these fuel property speculation benefit middle classes rather than ‘bohemians’ Florida saw growth transformation (Wainwright). The renovation Munro Martin Park discussed here infrastructure project helping transform into ‘arts capital north’. Here we interrogate winners losers renovation, specific its heritage values are preserved. identity hub not unfounded, but debate changed in emphasis Entertainment Precinct (CEP) 2011/2012. then Mayor Val Schier had secured federal state funding development $155 million near Port, outgrown existing facilities at nearby Civic Theatre venue was unable host performances. CEP cultural marking era activities Cairns. subsequent election became referendum precinct, location need being questioned. Bob Manning mandate scrap instead renovate part scaled-down vision. In 2016, demolished make way Performing Arts Centre. original constructed 1970s one small handful buildings designed late Brutalist architectural style: exterior walls were made fluted grey concrete blocks. Popular 1950s 1970s, brutalist architecture celebrated Modernism translated raw, exposed concrete. Despite renewed popular interest many western cities, “are new, … homogenous (often glass composite-clad) towers [are being] erected their place” (Mould 701). no exception. Park, directly across Theatre, folded plans area imagined together form (CPAC). History (originally Norman Park) gazetted recreational reserve 1882. park aside soon after European settlement space outdoor recreation. Community attachment grew over time known meeting place sporting events, community celebrations, parades, political rallies. Circuses began annual visits 1891 it closest open ground inner city. These physical features also facilitated other such public holiday celebrations May Day ANZAC Day. Attempts beautify create shade early 1880s again 1892. Trees planted aim establishing botanical reserve, did survive. Those that – mangoes, figs, species created shade, provided fruit eating fresh making chutneys sauces, roosts local flying foxes bats. major change use occurred when taken by military during WWII, accommodation huts training. An Air Raids Precautions control centre (today few remaining examples, listed), radio tower. After war authority until returned military. park’s mostly removed, parkland decline underutilised (Grimwade 21). Most clubs moved grounds gatherings longer associated events (Cairns Regional Council 804). 1954 substantial redevelopment bequest well-regarded philanthropists: sisters. City redeveloped beautified completion renamed recognition It quickly status organised rallying point parades protests. Although continued used, sports, purpose-built fields southside town. Much passive activity moving Esplanade 1960s, multi-purpose recreation areas saltwater swimming baths. This trend land along reclaimed mudflats turned (McKenzie et al. 113). By 2014 work been undertaken some time, underutilised. report Grimwade evaluating condition found much disrepair. While still used circuses, festivals, rallies, group most often homeless Indigenous people. Plans redevelop once 2015, CPAC Fig. 1: Aerial image 1970. (Source: Historical Society P291110.) 2: 2018. Creative Life Council.) Winners Losers re-opening community. beautifully landscaped entices audiences enjoy arts, families who find safe secure environment leisure. barriers entering venues displaced egalitarian seating blankets, programming casting demographically inclusive, which turn diverse audience. life, offers health benefits social interactions, welcomes regardless standing (Slater Koo 99). At same reflects neoliberal sensibilities regard safety anti-social behaviour, wider branding exercise (Mercer Mayfield 508). controlled ticketing, example, means fenced restricted access. Prior haven waiting those travelling communities Cape York Torres Strait Islands frequented Rosie’s, charity providing meals homeless, sleep (Dalton, Post). locked out performances every night sunset (CCTV ensures do remain). unfortunate day-to-day basis sporadic; partly because costly rent become commodified economy refuge alienated excluded. words, raises familiar questions ‘right city’ (Marcuse). where could just ‘be’ dwell, inevitably homelessness (Mitchell 123). uncommon different groups claim site times day. thing users feel strong enough connection so likely (Barnes al.). displacement community, lost significant trees survived 1800s. Local environmental activists protested sitting refusing come down commenced (Power, expressed value home endangered bat colonies (Queensland Department Environment Resource Management). only fox habitats, loss contributed demise. On hand, through trees, plants elaborate vined arbours, award-winning showcase greenery evoking civic pride. revitalisation beautification creates opportunities attachments sensory perceptions (Hashemnezhad 7). related thus time. value, understood Burra Charter, quality makes spiritual, political, national, sentiment. Jones (21) defines encompassing “the significance historic contemporary communities, people's sense identity, belonging place, well memory spiritual association” (see Johnston, 1). Fond memories days, school excursions, circus held older 1970 positive associations diminish behaviour avoided. remembered interpretive panels recall circuses takeover history accessible younger audiences. rally start march, shifted outside portrait remember stories park. obelisk sisters restored, reminder Eddie Oribin’s Sid Barnes’s joint influential Cairns-based architects (who built former neighbouring Theatre). World War Two room, coordinated all air raid wardens city, remains listed Queensland Heritage Register. reused Scouts shop fibreglass scout hat put top. thereby acknowledges 2000s. Old places uses old places, activist Jane Jacobs famously said (Chang 524). narrative imaginary, creating evolving story. As case parts city’s history, however, histories silenced renewal (Law), reflecting multiple sometimes conflicting play. 3: WWII Command Centre, n.d. Society, P08730.) 4: Centre Scout Hut hat, 2016. P20692.) Conclusion arts-led gentrification documented understood. article builds critiques gentrification, asking slightly memory, contested meanings renewal. situated users, evolved For generations evokes closeness war. curated signage conservative middle-class past: No Sports Sundays; Celebrations; Rallying Park; Military Takeover. generations, whom avoided dangerous edge inhabited promoting accessibility mangoes shelter population given venue, vines foliage, will produce Whether “herald renaissance life” delivering “fresh botanic experiences” (Cultural Services 8) seen shadow COVID-19. What know stopover erased, dispersed difficult reach except food trucks shelters. Their park, whether highly constrained small, unfenced corner Sheridan Minnie Street (which rarely used). vision activities, ask what cost. surveilled nature permits rough sleeping informal increased visitation inclusive class residents contemplate history. 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