Cairns Regional Council will oversee work on the first stage of a local entertainment precinct.

The initial stage has been budgeted at $155 million, but costs have yet to be determined for the next two stages.

Early works are expected to begin in 2012, which will deliver a 1000 to 1100 seat theatre, car parking, a bridge and walkway, large public space and landscaping to a future museum.

Stage two will deliver a 450 seat flexible use theatre, rehearsal spaces and retail and food outlets, while the third stage will be the regional museum.

The Queensland Government requires that council complete a Project Assurance Framework (PAF) for the Cairns Entertainment Precinct and has provided funding for the assessment.

Project manager Linda Cardew said in the council’s briefing note that the federal government has committed $40 million from the Infrastructure Employment Program, which the council must acquit by 30 June 2012.

Ms Cardew said the preparation of tender documents for the early and main works prior to the end of 2011 is “essential preparation” for the $40 million expenditure, provided the State and Federal Governments confirm the funding.

The briefing states that no tenders will be invited unless work described by the tender is fully funded; no construction contracts will be entered into and no construction will commence until after funding is in place.

According to the briefing, the costs to prepare the development application documentation and the tender documents are budgeted at $4.7 million, which will be met in part by the remaining Project Assurance Framework funding.

The framework provides approximately $1 million and the approved council budget for the project is $10.2 million.

Cairns Regional Council will not be required to make any further financial decisions or commitments until after the State Cabinet Budget Review Committee decision is known in December 2011.

“Council’s desire to secure funding from other levels of Government requires the program set by the State and Federal Governments to be adhered to meet the delivery dates set by the State and federal Governments,” Ms Cardew said.

“In order to meet these program deadlines, the work needs to continue without delay.”