Advocacy Alert: Roadmap for Federal Government could create 3,000 North Queensland jobs

13th August 2018

North Queensland’s 90 strong delegation will head to Canberra tomorrow to send a clear message on the projects and policies that could deliver almost 3,000 new local jobs if supported by the Federal Government. We will be a united force this week at Parliament House, as the five regional Mayors come together with local business representatives, all with the common goal of ensuring a stronger North Queensland.

Stage 2 of the Haughton Duplication Pipeline, which the final report will be handed down on in September, lowering energy prices, Port of Townsville Channel Widening and the broader Mount Isa to Townsville Rail Supply Chain Corridor, agricultural development at Hells Gates Dam, progressing the Australia Singapore Joint Training Initiative, tourism developments and further support for the wider North Queensland regions, are some of the items that will be high on the agenda over the 16 meetings with nearly 30 politicians across three days this week at Parliament House.

The 2018-19 Townsville North Queensland Federal Election Priorities document is the result of extensive collaboration between Townsville City Council, Burdekin Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council and Palm Island Shire Council, and consultation with governments, regional stakeholders and the community.

The projects and policies outlined in the document complement the Federal Government’s ‘White Paper on Developing Northern Australia’ and lay the platform for a prosperous future for the whole region. The targeted priorities have been defined based on their capacity to stimulate economic growth, encourage industry and private sector investment, influence business confidence and create jobs.

The document will not only shape our advocacy agenda ahead of the next Federal Election but also forms the basis of this week's three-day Canberra Delegation, where will be promoting how our community wants to work with government to set our region up for the next 150 years. Meetings with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, the Opposition Leader, the Greens, One Nation and Independent’s will provide our region the opportunity to have a hearing with our nation's most influential decision makers.

Whilst the economic indicators are improving for the region, right now we still have 11,000 people out of a job. Our focus is to get these people into work. This package of priorities is the solution to that problem, generating almost 3,000 new full-time jobs in our region. The 3,000 jobs created from these projects does not include the further jobs the Hells Gates Dam project could deliver to the region. Whilst the feasibility is still being finalised, early indications confirm this is a nation building project that could generate thousands of jobs in its own right.

As the largest city and region in Northern Australia, the Federal Government plays a pivotal role in ensuring Townsville North Queensland realises its true potential. Townsville Enterprise acknowledges the Federal Government for supporting projects and policies in the Townsville City Deal, but we need to keep building upon that momentum.

Townsville Enterprise and the leadership group from the five region’s recognise that we are stronger as one, and we stand together, not only in Canberra this week, but for the long-term as a collaborative unit committed to developing the North. By taking Townsville North Queensland to Canberra, we will ensure the key job creating projects and policies that that will secure our region’s future will not go unnoticed ahead of the next Federal Election.

'A strong North means a strong Nation'

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