CAIRNS' premier race carnival will be adults only for the first time this year after organisers decided the under 18s ban nearly imposed last year cannot be put off any longer.

Amateurs’ president Alan McPherson last night said the decision had been difficult, but the club could not afford the risk of fines for underage drinking.

Last year’s event cost the club about $12,000 in fines from more than 20 liquor licensing breaches around the track, mainly involving unaccompanied minors.

"We’re not happy about it at all and I’ve got the greatest regret of the lot because I’m so passionate about it remaining a family event," Mr McPherson said.

"But we’ve explored everything, even a separate area on the track (for under 18s), but after analysing all the risks, it’s not on."

He said there was no chance the committee would change its mind, unlike last year when a public outcry before the September carnival led to the ban being overturned at the last minute.

The news brought a cry of dismay last night from Amateurs regular Leanne Schuler of Redlynch, who said she had been looking forward to taking her daughter Kendal, 16, to the carnival like previous years.

"She loves to dress up and in that age group, they don’t get a chance to do that much," Mrs Schuler said.

Chelsea Riley, 17, of Whitfield was also disappointed.

"That sucks. It’s unfair to those who don’t do the wrong thing," she said.

A trackside smoking ban will also be introduced this year, with five exits where smokers can step into the car park or outside the fence to light up.

Another change will be to the Picnic in the Park area where all the marquees and furniture will now be supplied and serviced by one central "superbar".

BYO food and soft-drink Eskys will still be allowed.

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