Townsville North Queensland is on the biggest growth trajectory we have seen in more than a decade. The Government of today has the opportunity to shape the future for the generations of tomorrow, ensuring that this region can unlock its full potential. With a project pipeline of more than $33 billion, and 20,000 additional workers required for these projects - the time to invest in this region is now.
As a strong advocacy voice for Townsville North Queensland, and in the lead up to a State Election, Townsville Enterprise has led a delegation to Queensland Parliament and will also play a role in this Friday's Courier Mail Bush Summit.
Townsville Enterprise has ramped up its advocacy to ensure that we are securing the projects, policies and commitments needed to secure the future of Townsville North Queensland.
Queensland Parliament Delegation
Over the past two days, Townsville Enterprise has met with all sides of politics at Brisbane’s Queensland Parliament as we actively gear up our advocacy to secure policies and projects that benefit North Queenslanders ahead of the upcoming State Election. Our discussions focused on crucial areas including housing, workforce attraction and liveability, infrastructure and policy change.
Our message to Brisbane is clear ahead of the State election – we need commitments to unlock this region’s untapped potential. Townsville North Queensland is on a growth trajectory like never before, and the time to secure the future is now.
We would like to thank our regional mayors for supporting us and having a united voice within a number of these meetings.
We appreciate the time and insights shared by:
-
Hon Steven Miles MP, Queensland Premier
-
Hon Cameron Dick MP, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment
-
Hon Shannon Fentiman MP, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women
-
Hon Bart Mellish MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Minister for Digital Services
-
Hon Mark Furner MP, Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities
-
Hon Glenn Butcher MP, Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water
-
Hon Lance McCallum MP, Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
-
David Janetzki MP, Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Home Ownership and Shadow Minister for Investment and Trade
-
Nick Dametto MP and Robbie Katter, Member for Hinchinbrook and Member for Treager
The Courier Mail Bush Summit
Tomorrow, we will see the Courier Mail Bush Summit bring together businesses, community and political leaders to tackle the key issues facing Townsville North Queensland and identify the opportunities that will make a difference.
This Summit is held in regions across the country, with Townsville the only city in Queensland to be hosting. We will have politicians and investors from right across the nation on our doorstep, a prime opportunity to put Townsville North Queensland at the forefront and continue our message about this region's untapped potential and investment opportunities.
With a strong attendance expected, particularly noting the Prime Minister, Queensland Premier, and Opposition Leaders - we hope to see some positive conversations and potential commitments around our key advocacy asks.
What we would like to see from the agenda at this Friday's Courier Mail Bush Summit:
Great Barrier Reef Aquarium
Following years of advocacy, in May 2024, Townsville Enterprise launched a community campaign to support our call to rebuild our beloved Great Barrier Reef Aquarium (previously Reef HQ). With positive conversations around this project, we hope that tomorrow brings the community an answer on this facility - the national education center for the Great Barrier Reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is this nation's greatest national asset, and it deserves a home that showcases the region's leadership in education and marine science. This project will firmly put Townsville North Queensland on a global map as the headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef and will contribute more than $444M in economic activity.
We acknowledge that Townsville City Council has made a commitment to the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium through a request to reallocate funding from the City Deal. A decision to fully fund and back the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium from our Federal Government will provide a showcase of reef conservation and education for generations to come.
Renewable Energy Hub of Australia
Townsville North Queensland is at the forefront of a potential green energy revolution. As we move towards cleaner and green energy production, we cannot deny that some of the world's best solar and wind resources are right here in North Queensland. We have 320 days of sunshine and when the sun sets that's when the wind starts. This is a unique combination unlike any other region in the nation.
Our access to natural resources gives North Queensland an unprecedented advantage to lead the clean energy future of the state and nation. North Queensland is not just a contender; we are therenewable energy hub of Australia, with untapped potential that’s sets us apart. Our skilled workforce, manufacturing to support Made in Australia objectives, resources the world demands, and the expanding infrastructure on its way, positions us as leaders in this space.
However, we currently have 16 projects, valued at $14.2 billion, are under assessment,with 12 projects in the energy and resources industry. It is imperative that these projects receive government approval to secure continued investment.
Our business case stacks up, and Townsville North Queensland is ready to lead our country's energy transition.
A cleaner energy future is a journey we’re excited to deliver together with our government and business community, and that's why we are calling on commitments from all levels of Government.
Townsville North Queensland Housing Package
Townsville and the region's housing vacancy rate has remained at or below approximately 1% since 2020. Townsville North Queensland is in critical need of residential dwellings to begin to ease the housing crisis.
With an infrastructure project pipeline in excess of $33 billion, that will require over 20,000 additional workers in the next five years, unlocking new housing supply is required immediately.
To unlock and fast track 2,650 new homes for Regional Queensland we need to see commitments to a $33M Townsville North Queensland Housing Package to deliver essential trunk infrastructure that will activate development.
But we don't stop there...
Next week, Townsville Enterprise will publicly release the Unlock the North State Election Priorities 2024 - stay tuned!
Townsville Enterprise, alongside the North Queensland Regional Mayors will also be presenting to Shadow Cabinet next week while they are in Townsville.
