Lobbying for the long term
Securing long-term health, infrastructure and sustainability solutions for Tropical North Queensland were the major talking points during one-on-one meetings with Queensland Government ministers in Brisbane this month, Advance Cairns reports.
The information-gathering and lobbying trip generated some key commitments from the State Government including the need for community consultation on the proposed World Heritage listing of Cape York, confirmation of flood mitigation works to the Bruce Highway at Ingham in light of recent extensive flood damage, and addressing the need for additional health services by acquiring land in the southern reaches of Cairns to build a complimentary health clinic to the Cairns Base Hospital.
Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said the economic development agency’s small delegation, that included chairman Russell Beer and director Owen Dalton, was well received by the seven state ministers and their senior staff who met with the group over two days from June 3.
“Each of the ministers we met with, during individual appointments, was receptive of our issues which we outlined in briefing papers specific to each portfolio,” Mr Contarino said.
“We were particularly well received by senior staff to Tim Mulherin, the Minister for Rural and Regional Development, who applauded the work Advance Cairns is doing in the Tropical Expertise arena, saying the ongoing project was a shining light for economic development in Queensland.”
“We also discussed our concerns about the future of health services in the North with Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas and his senior staff, raising our previous concerns with the lack of correct planning for these health services. The Minister outlined his commitment to a long-term solution to the region’s needs for additional health services, and that the community’s input would be sought.”
Advance Cairns will follow up with a number of state ministers who made a commitment to visit the region in the near future to meet with industry leaders to gather information and formulate activities to assist them in their endeavours.