ONE of former Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne's pet projects faces being scuttled as the good ship Duyfken sails into stormy financial waters.

Last year Mr Byrne was instrumental in bringing the replica of the small Dutch sailing ship to Cairns as a tourist attraction, at significant cost to the then Cairns City Council and the State Government.

But Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Schier yesterday forecast tough conditions ahead for the Duyfken after a new report indicated it hadn't been the success Mr Byrne had hoped.

"We've got a significant investment in this and quite frankly I am worried about it," she said.

Added Cr Alan Blake: "It's a hole in the water we pour money into."

The original vessel is famed as being the first to make European contact with the Australian coast near Weipa in 1606.

Now berthed at Marlin Marina, the replica was brought to Cairns after its management, the Duyfken Foundation, twice failed to make it a viable tourism attraction in Fremantle.

Cairns City Council and the State Government agreed to pump in $450,000 and $300,000 respectively over three years to keep the ship afloat.

At the time, Mr Byrne said the Duyfken would be a "wonderful asset for the community".

During a committee meeting yesterday, councillors raised concerns about a report from the Duyfken Foundation, of which Mr Byrne is chairman, that showed the venture was making a loss.

Cr Schier said she was "very concerned" about the ongoing funding arrangement as no signed copy of any contract could be found.

She said the report was "vague" about visitor numbers and the ship's activities.

Cr Blake said he had been against the project and failed to see what value it offered.

"I have grave concerns. I really think we need to go down and ask them to substantiate what they are doing," he said.

"Otherwise it is ratepayers money being poured down the drain."

Council officers told the meeting that as transactions had taken place it was likely that under law it could be argued there was a contract.

However, an agreement between council and the foundation does exist which allows for termination if pre-determined milestones are not met and then complied with after a warning.

Council has noted the report from the foundation and asked for more information.

Mr Byrne last night said as far as the foundation was concerned there were no problems.

"They (council) need to outline their concerns," he said.

"The board is more than happy to respond to what their concerns are."

Do you think the Duyfken should be scuttled or saved?

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