Townsville Enterprise is pleased to announce the launch of the 2022 Unlock the North Federal Budget submission, championing projects that will set the region up to capitalise on the projected booms in future industries and new energy supply chains, both here at home and around the world.
Key industry-enabling water and electricity infrastructure projects remain high priorities, along with region-building innovation projects in the defence, health, tourism, and education sectors. Local Government Area projects across the Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Townsville, Charters Towers and Palm Island Shires are also on the list.
Townsville Enterprise have been busy promoting the submission to federal ministers over the last few months, highlighting North Queensland’s pivotal role in sustaining the economy during COVID and the massive growth potential of the region.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith said the document was forward looking, offering a range of projects that leverage today’s opportunities to help transform North Queensland in the coming years.
“Our job has always been to think 5 to 10 years out, to secure the future of Townsville North Queensland,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“We’ve had successes like bringing Sun Metals to Townsville, securing the new stadium, and supporting the Carmichael Mine project which have all been significant catalysts for growth and economic activity in the region.”
“We are now looking at what this region needs to be successful in 2025 and beyond. The fact is that investments that enable critical infrastructure need to be made now, to ensure we stay globally competitive and generate economic returns and jobs for our region into the future.”
“We released our sneak peek a fortnight ago that highlighted some of the projects in the defence, affordable power and water security sectors, and our advocacy focus will remain on long-term projects like these that will see our region prosper into the next decade. That is our mandate and our passion."
“When you look at green hydrogen for example, it will be worth billions to the state and national economies if the right renewable energy, water security and common use infrastructure projects are in place.”
“Townsville is the industrial, economic, and defence capital of Northern Australia and has performed well above its weight over the last two years while the nation has dealt with the ramifications of COVID.”
“We are beginning to see major transformational growth and can continue to outperform for Queensland and the nation, provided we’re given the infrastructure and funding we need to get started.”
Key enabling infrastructure and innovation projects would create thousands of full-time jobs, both during construction and ongoing. The economic returns will tally into the billions of dollars, depending on which projects move forward with Government investment.
Innovation project highlights include:
- NQ Spark – An advanced training and research experimentation facility with defence, health, education, and industry applications using high-powered computing capabilities.
- Green Hydrogen – Activation of the hydrogen industry via the identification of H2 Hub requirements, and funding for the feasibility, design and development of common user export infrastructure. North Queensland has the potential to be a globally relevant energy production hub into the next decade.
- RegenAqua – Funding to construct full size bio-remediation water treatment in the Burdekin, using locally developed micro-algae technology to improve water quality in our natural waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.
- TropIQ – A tropical intelligence and health precinct development that will bring an armada of science, technology, health, research, and education proponents together into one location, driving innovation and a new knowledge-based economy for Townsville.
North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) Chair and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Cr Lyn Mclaughlin said that North Queensland is primed and ready to continue to deliver outcomes for the state and the nation.
“It is abundantly clear that North Queensland is in the hot seat to deliver for the region, for the state, and for the nation as we move forward,” Cr. Mclaughlin said.
“When you live in the regions you understand what it means to work together, and the NQROC group of councils has shown our commitment to delivering outcomes time and time again.”
Townsville City Council Mayor Cr jenny Hill said that the time to invest in North Queensland was now, and that federal funding was a necessary part of the roadmap forward.
“We have the pieces of the puzzle lined up and ready to go, provided we can lock in the infrastructure and project funding that will open the door to private investment into the region,” Cr Hill said.
