Tropical North Queensland delegation to Queensland Parliament

by | Mar 5, 2024 | Media releases | 0 comments

04 March 2024

Joint statement from Far North Queensland’s peak advocacy bodies: Advance Cairns, Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

Tropical North Queensland delegation to Queensland Parliament to highlight health, connectivity and water security: Advance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tropical North Queensland

A delegation of close to 30 business leaders from across the region will head to Brisbane this week to advocate for priorities which are key to unlocking the potential of the region with a key focus on health, connectivity and water security.
Led by Advance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Tropical North Queensland, the delegates from across the region will be meeting with senior leaders from Government, Opposition and cross-benches to highlight funding required to realise the potential of Australia’s most internationally connected region.

The delegation calls for:

    • More than $200 million to fund the detailed design and construction of the Cairns Health and Innovation Centre.
    • $63 million investment in the Cairns Airport General Aviation Precinct including a new 10,000m2 hangar; an Australia-first full flight training simulator for the widely used regional Cessna Caravan light aircraft; and student accommodation in the airport precinct to help free-up housing in the city.
    • Expeditious delivery of the funded Cairns Marine Precinct Common User Facility.
      An additional $128.5 million towards the capital cost of the Cairns Water Security Stage 1 Project.
    • Commitment of a further $100 million (at least) towards the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund over the next four years.
    • A matched funding program for small to medium-sized businesses in FNQ for the installation of targeted security measures to safeguard businesses from crime.
    • Partner with the Australian Government to invest in purpose-built student accommodation through James Cook University across its two campuses, to relieve pressure on the housing market.
    • An insurance duty exemption for FNQ small businesses to alleviate the current cost-of-doing business pressures faced across the region.
    • Urgent delivery of road infrastructure central to Cairns’ connectivity to the Northern Beaches, additional investment towards improved tablelands access and $106 million towards sealing and improved flood resilience of the Gulf section of the Savannah Way.

Quotes attributed to Advance Cairns Chair Nick Trompf:

“A delegation of senior leaders from a variety of sectors coming together with a list of shared priorities is powerful. Cairns TNQ has shown in the past the impact this type of collaboration can have at both state and federal level.

“We have a genuine window of opportunity ahead of the State election to highlight these critical priorities which will ensure we remain a vibrant, diversified growing region.”

“‘Australia’s leading demographer Bernard Salt describes Cairns as Australia’s most global regional city. This status brings with it material opportunities which will best be unlocked through investment in critical infrastructure such as roads, in general aviation and in our hospital.”

Quotes attributed to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce President Enver Selita:

“We are presented with a valuable opportunity to ensure our region is heard and at the same time have the ability to emphasize these vital priorities, safeguarding our status as a dynamic, expanding region.”

“Collaborating as a unified group remains crucial to steer our region towards a promising future and to ensure that investments are directed towards the most impactful projects.”

Quotes attributed to Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen:

“Our regions proximity and air access to the fastest growing global economies, our natural assets, and our people will provide an opportunity over the next decade to double the size of the 2019 visitor economy requiring close to $5B of capital investment. This will not only enhance liveability, and attractiveness of our region to live work and play but provides a platform for regional growth.”

“As 2032 approach the visitor economy in TNQ has a significant role to play in the regions connectivity globally, our brand, and supporting the trade that will position TNQ as the most investable region in Australia.”

– Ends –

For further media comment and images:
Jacinta Reddan
Advance Cairns CEO
M: 0498 373 094

Namassana Holland-Beard
Advance Cairns Marketing &
Communications Manager
E: marketing@advancecairns.com
M: 0421 106 462