From the CEO
It’s hard to believe we are now into the back end of 2023, a year in which has seen the region move well and truly beyond the ravages of covid. While covid hit and hit hard, the past three years have also underpinned the resilience of the economy as it continues to expand.
Indeed, the regional economy is now more diversified than ever – and the most diversified in Queensland – with the health sector now clearly our largest sector, employing well over 25,000. And as the region continues to attract a growing number of residents, the pressures on the health sector will only grow. We will continue to keep a strong focus on critical funding needed to ensure that plans to expand our clinical and research facilities at Cairns Hospital remain at the top of priorities.
Indeed, the regional economy is now more diversified than ever – and the most diversified in Queensland – with the health sector now clearly our largest sector, employing well over 25,000. And as the region continues to attract a growing number of residents, the pressures on the health sector will only grow. We will continue to keep a strong focus on critical funding needed to ensure that plans to expand our clinical and research facilities at Cairns Hospital remain at the top of priorities.
We have been pleased to keep the conversation about our priorities in the spotlight with an address by the State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and Shadow Treasurer David Janetzki in the wake of the Queensland budget. And we were pleased to engage with Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers as part of a Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) lunch.
It was also hard not to miss the allied naval vessels visiting Cairns as part of the Exercise Talisman Sabre with the message from the British and Canadians that we can expect to see a lot more of them. This increased focus across the Pacific shows no sign of abating and the broader geopolitical drivers were a key part of discussions at the Developing Northern Australia conference in Darwin. This conference highlighted the unique strengths and challenges across the region and the disproportionate weight borne by a sparsely populated top end.
These are some of the major strategic issues we are considering as we continue the development of our long term strategic priorities for the region. Into this of course plays the Queensland Infrastructure Plan and the review of the State Statutory Plan both important processes into which we continue to be heavily engaged.
We have a number of key events in the pipeline with a highlight being a conversation with one of Australia’s most respected business leaders, Elizabeth Proust. Elizabeth’s insights are always well-considered and highly informed. Exclusive to members, this event is one not to be missed.
Best Regards,
Jacinta Reddan
Chief Executive Officer
Advance Cairns
Federal Treasurer visits Cairns
We were delighted to join a special lunch with Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers thanks to the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF). This was an important discussion with the Treasurer during which the leadership forum discussed the economic outlook, the need for support of the travel trade industry to reconnect with a changed international industry landscape post covid, the importance of a visa regime bringing essential backpacker labour to the region and the role tourism plays in fostering a better understanding of the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef. We also discussed Federal Government defence spending in the region which was central to providing vital infrastructure and road links across the region.
Many thanks to Advance Cairns member Cairns Convention Centre for hosting us at the event.
QLD State Opposition Budget Response
We were pleased to welcome the Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli MP and Opposition Treasury spokesman David Janetzki who gave members of Advance Cairns an exclusive insight into their State Budget response and the LNP’s vision for the Far North.
Conversation focused around small and family businesses, decentralisation, frontline service delivery, and addressing the housing crisis, amongst other issues.
Mr Crisafulli addressed questions regarding infrastructure and other investments into the region, the importance of providing legislative levers to foster eco-tourism in national parks, as well as the need to simplify procurement processes that have been hindering development.
Many thanks to Advance Cairns member Crystalbrook Flynn for providing the event space for this event.
Developing the North: Stronger Together
Our CEO Jacinta Reddan joined leaders from across the nation’s North at the Developing Northern Australia conference in Darwin. This event highlighted the critical importance of the region which is sparsely populated, geographically large and under-represented in the halls of power. The conference was clear about the benefits of being stronger together with the regions across northern Australia facing similar challenges and opportunities.
What an extraordinary coming together of Australia’s powerhouse across the North – the nation’s source of defence, water, food and energy security.
Defence Focus
The Exercise Talisman Sabre in the North saw heightened activity in Cairns with foreign and Australian naval vessels visiting, bringing with them requirements for maritime maintenance and servicing capabilities as well as sustainment and provisioning. And of course, the flow-on effect to the broader economy did not end there with an estimated 5000 personnel exploring Cairns on what was rumoured to be their favourite port of call in the region.
Cairns welcomed Royal Canadian warship HMCS Montréal (336), Royal Australian Navy HMAS Stalwart (A304) and HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41) among other visiting allied vessels en route to the bi-annual joint military exercise.
It was certainly a spectacular sight to see three naval vessels docked alongside the Cairns Wharf.
Member Spotlight | Ports North
Welcome to Richard Stevenson who assumes the role of CEO of Ports North from August 14. Richard will join the Advance Cairns board as the nominated representative of Platinum member Ports North.
Richard brings a wealth of experience to the role having served with Ports North in leadership roles for more than a decade after a maritime and naval career in the Middle East and Royal Australian Navy.
New Member | Jet Zero Australia Pty Ltd
Welcome to Jet Zero Australia Pty Ltd who joins Advance Cairns as a General member. Jet Zero Australia was established in 2021 with plans progressing to develop Australia’s first Alcohol to Jet Fuel (ATJ) facility, taking surplus ethanol production on the east coast of Australia and converting it to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) via a plant to be built in Queensland.
New Member | Mission Aviation Fellowship International
We say hello to Mission Aviation Fellowship International (MAF International) who has joined as a Community member. MAF is an international Christian organisation whose purpose is to connect some of the world’s most isolated communities through their light aircraft operations.
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