Regional Development Australia Tropical North celebrates 15 years of advocacy

Regional Development Australia Tropical North has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for multiple projects across the region to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North deputy chair Brett Moller and chief executive officer Sonja Johnson have reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for the Far North at RDA's 15th anniversary celebrations. Photo: Catherine Duffy.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North has reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for multiple projects across the region to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

RDA Tropical North deputy chair Brett Moller said it was important to acknowledge the achievements the organisation had made.

“Through the various governments, we’ve gone from enabling infrastructure, to employment and growth, to trade and investment,” Mr Moller said.

Mr Moller said one of the major projects the RDA had advocated for was localised upgrades to the Bruce Highway.

“The Bruce Highway is such a significant enabling infrastructure, being our connectivity down to Brisbane, so that upgrade for the highway is imperative for improved productivity,” he said.

In addition to the highway, Mr Moller said the RDA would continue to advocate for the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme, including damming the Palmer River and providing employment opportunities to the Cook region.

“With Lakeland, this is another opportunity. There’s currently about 1800 hectares under crop up there,” he said.

“With the damming of the Palmer River, that could be expanded to up to 10,000 hectares. “That would bring about $500 million into the regional economy for the Cook Shire Council and it would also open up the Cape for Indigenous employment opportunities.”

Expanding on the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme, RDA chief executive Sonja Johnson said the organisation was looking at the next stage of the project, in reviewing the Mitchell Catchment Water Plan.

“We have been working with both the current Labor Government and the LNP at a state level to understand what could be the approach for a proponent,” Ms Johnson said.

“And that could be one of two things. It could be that SunWater takes that on, or it could be a public-private partnership.

“Whichever way it goes, the detailed business case will be taken by the proponent to unpack it.”

Originally published as Regional Development Australia Tropical North celebrates 15 years of advocacy