CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the historic Cairns yacht Club plan to confront Premier Anna Bligh in Cairns this morning.
People Against the Demolition of the Yacht Club co-ordinator Wendy Richardson, who plans to stand as a Liberal National Party candidate in the next state election, said the group would demand to speak to Ms Bligh as she attends the Local Government Association of Queensland annual conference.
More than 10,000 people have signed petitions calling for the yacht club to be saved, however, Cairns Ports is pushing ahead to have the site cleared within the month.
"The public is incensed with the attitude of the State Government's local members who are steadfastly ignoring the heritage status of the Cairns Yacht Club building and its site, and pursuing demolition," Ms Richardson said.
"We believe the Premier and her Ministers have not been made fully aware of the history and the potential of this building for the future of heritage tourism in this city.
"For example, does she or for that matter most locals, know that over 100,000 service men and women were based in the Cairns region during World War II and many of them regularly visited the Yacht Club, known then as the Aquatic? Does she know that their hobnail boots wore out the dance floor?"
"The Government now needs to realise that important heritage is being sacrificed for a relatively small immediate financial gain that will only deliver yet another highrise on the Cairns waterfront."
