Progressing the strategic economic development of Tropical North Queensland will be Margaret Darveniza’s mission in her new role as  Regional Development Officer (RDO) with Advance Cairns.

Appointed with the assistance of the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC), Ms Darveniza began her role as RDO with Advance Cairns yesterday.

Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said Ms Darveniza brought a wealth of experience to the position with a successful background in training, business services and community development, and currently holds the Chair position with Skill360 Australia.

Mr Contarino said the RDO position was designed to address the economic needs of councils from Cardwell to Cooktown, with Ms Darveniza’s primary task to provide linkages between and liaise with the Cassowary, Tablelands and Cook shire regional councils, as well as local government bodies in Yarrabah and Wujal Wujal.

Ms Darveniza will be based in Innisfail but will work across the region on a range of economic projects prioritised by FNQROC, including lobbying for improved road networks across TNQ, identifying opportunities and costs that arise from the carbon reduction trading scheme for a range of the region’s industry sectors, seeking funding for high-priority infrastructure projects, and developing economic development models for regional councils.

FNQROC Chair Tom Gilmore said the FNQROC is keen to develop and champion robust economic linkages between Cairns and the surrounding council areas. “The appointment of a regional development officer will provide the support needed to facilitate this,” Mr Gilmore said.

Ms Darveniza said she is looking forward to working across the region and believed that collaborative efforts will build the strengths of the individual shires and the region as a whole.