With CopperString in the bag, Townsville Enterprise and the region’s Mayors will travel to Canberra and Brisbane this month with new project priorities ahead of the State and Federal Budget.
Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme-Smith said the message to Unlock the North will remain loud and clear in Parliament, with new regional priorities following the CopperString announcement from the State.
“CopperString was the result of a decade of advocacy, but we don’t stop now. We remain focused on the other enabling projects to secure the future of Townsville North Queensland region,” Mrs Brumme-Smith said.
“Solving the region’s housing crisis, securing water, investment into innovation and research, targeted defence investment and investment into aquaculture will be at the top of our agenda from an industry perspective.
“For tourism, the Paluma to Wallaman Falls Trail will be front and centre as well as a visitor facing koala hospital and support for tourism development on Magnetic Island as part of the masterplan.
“We also have two new health projects which will address our vulnerable youth – a health and wellbeing facility for First Nations people and a brain health research project.”
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said that the projects being pitched in Canberra and Brisbane were key to ensuring North Queensland remained a great place to visit, live and work.
“More and more people are looking at relocating to Townsville from down south, for a better work-life balance,” Cr Hill said.
“These projects mean good jobs for Townsville residents both new and long-term.
“We also need to make sure that amenities and services can support the population and jobs growth we have experienced over the past few years.”
North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) Chair and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Cr Lyn McLaughlin said the Townsville North Queensland region 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 prime position to deliver for the region, we’ve just seen that last week with the announcement of the CopperString project,” Cr. McLaughlin said.
“When you live in the regions you understand what it means to work together, and the NQROC group of councils with Townsville Enterprise is committed and focused on our advocacy efforts to achieve results.”
Following the success of the Burdekin RegenAqua project, the region is seeking funding from State or the Federal Government to replicate this world-leading technology in Hinchinbrook.
Hinchinbrook Regional Council Mayor, Cr Ramon Jayo said Macroalgal Bioremediation provides Council with a mechanism for improving its environmental footprint.
“RegenAqua Hinchinbrook will allow for a reduction of nutrient levels processed through its Sewerage Treatment Plant, as well as Carbon sequestration capabilities. The other appealing factor is the ability to produce a valuable soil conditioning product which can be utilised by farmers within the district to improve soil leading to improved production and profitability,” Cr Jayo said.
Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor, Cr Frank Beveridge said the Charters Towers Enterprise Precinct and targeted Defence investment is at the top of his agenda.
“The State and Federal Delegation is the prime example of strength in numbers. One united advocacy voice achieves results and I look forward meeting with the Ministers to secure the future of our region,” Cr Beveridge said.
