Ongoing community concern that proceeds from the Cairns Airport sale will be spent outside of the region could be addressed by the Queensland Treasurer, through implementing a local advisory committee to counsel the Future Growth Fund, says Advance Cairns.

Despite reiterations from the Queensland Treasurer last week that sale proceeds from the Cairns Airport sale will be used exclusively for TNQ projects through the Future Growth Fund, concerns remain regarding this commitment and in particular its reliability if changes happen either within this Government or if there is a change of Government.

Advance Cairns CEO, Mr Ross Contarino said, “Feedback from the local business community suggests they are yet to be convinced by words alone from the government on this matter, despite our local State Members keeping this issue in the forefront of the Treasurer’s thinking”.

Advance Cairns considers that the Treasurer could go a long way towards allaying the concerns of Tropical North Queenslanders by utilising a section of the Future Growth Fund legislation, which provides for the formation of a local advisory committee to give the Future Growth Fund counsel on the best use of those funds.

The Treasurer also has the power under the legislation to issue a binding direction to the Fund that those monies must be spent in Tropical North Queensland.

“Confirming the issue of such a direction and setting up a local advisory committee will give the local community better confidence in and, some ownership of, the whole process” said Mr Contarino.

“The board of Advance Cairns still objects to the sale of the airport to finance the hospital projects but concedes the development of the Future Fund for upcoming regional projects as the best outcome for the current situation”, said Mr Contarino.

“We will be writing to the Treasurer outlining this recommendation for his consideration and will also be utilising the opportunity of the Cairns sitting of Parliament next month to discuss the proposal with the Treasurer personally and convince him that this is the best way forward”, Mr Contarino went on to say.