The National Trust of Queensland last week presented Ports North and Converge Heritage & Community with the John Herbert Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Nomination and a Gold Queensland Heritage Council Award for Heritage Conservation for the Cairns Cruise Terminal.
The building was originally constructed between 1912 and 1914 as part of a sequence of sheds servicing Cairns port operations. Listed on the Queensland State Heritage Register in 2000, it was one of the first concrete wharves to be built in Australia. Recently, Arkhefield and Total Project Group Architects redesigned the building as the Cairns Cruise Terminal, aiming to celebrate as much of its heritage as possible using contemporary insertions and openings. The timber structure, originally only seen from the interior, is now revealed to the exterior through large windows. It is the first major public facility in a new precinct designed as a tourism and cultural hub of Cairns.
Held in Brisbane, the National Trust of Queensland Awards recognize achievements in identifying, conserving and promoting Australia’s cultural heritage. Other projects awarded on the night included the Old Lands Office in Gympie, Kirra Hill Community Centre, Brennan and Geraghty’s Store and the Queensland Police Academy’s cricket pavilion. A full list of award winners can be viewed on the National Trust of Queensland’s website.
