“It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Labor has yet again ignored the demands of the community in rejecting the Cairns Yacht Club building for National Heritage Listing.

“Mr Garrett, Minister for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, has made it clear that he does not consider this building to meet the requirements for National Heritage Listing. This is despite the fact that according to the National Heritage List criteria, a place which "has outstanding heritage value to the nation because of the place's importance in exhibiting particular aesthetic characteristics valued by a community or cultural group" has sufficient heritage value to warrant listing.

“A building which stands as a monument to the architectural history of a great part of this nation is not considered to be outstandingly significant. A nearly 100 year old building which represents an important page in the history of Queensland and an essential link to the history of this nation is regarded by the Minister responsible for protecting heritage as less worthy than the high density residential block which is destined to take its place.

“It's interesting to see the type of person Mr Garrett has become. This is who he once was, " The Breakfast Creek Hotel is up for sale; the last square mile of terra firma gavelled in the mail; so farewell to the Norfolk Island pines; no amount of make believe can help this heart of mine." This is who he is now, "The Cairns Yacht Club is up for sale; the plot of port frontage gavelled in the mail; so farewell local timber floors, of heritage a sign; the pro development forces make up this heart of mine."

“So now, after being dismissed by the Federal Labor government, the people of Cairns must again address the State Labor government in the hope that an amnesty for this beautiful old building can be negotiated. It is a sad day when the demands of over 10,000 people are ignored by the governments who relied on their votes to secure power.



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