Federal budget 2025: Far North projects left out election priorities roll out

The Far North’s attention will quickly turn towards federal election commitments with a number of major infrastructure projects on the region’s wishlist missing from Tuesday’s budget.

An updated artist impression of the CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus showing what would become the "health and engineering wing" should the provider receive additional federal funding. Construction on the original concept is still expected to start in 2025 and be complete by 2028.

The Far North’s attention will turn towards federal election commitments with several major infrastructure projects on the region’s wishlist missing from Tuesday’s budget.

Advance Cairns has swiftly released its federal election priority list, an almost copy of its budget submission with exception of the funding commitments made towards Cairns’ water security project and the completion of the Kennedy Developmental Rd.

Spending the advocacy body will now lobby for during the election campaign includes increased investment in the Cairns Marine Precinct and its Common User Facility.

Tuesday’s budget included a group funding of $227m for “Cairns Regional Development” with the explanatory notes stating that money was for “major expansion” of the marine precinct and a new CQUniversity CBD campus.

An updated artist impression of the CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus showing what would become the "health and engineering wing" should the provider receive additional federal funding. Construction on the original concept is still expected to start in 2025 and be complete by 2028.

Previous individual budget allocations were $50m for CQU and $177m for the marine precinct, with the proponents of both projects seeking additional funding prior to the election.

CQU had asked for an additional $27.5m towards the construction of its new CBD campus to include an expanded health and engineering wing, and bring forward its Bachelor of Medical Imaging to start in 2026.

Meanwhile the Common User Facility had stalled after the previous co-contribution between state and federal governments of $354m was deemed to be about $466m short.

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan said the lack of broader funding commitments for the region’s strategic priorities was disappointing.

“We are pleased to see that the Prime Minister’s commitment in Federal Parliament last month has been confirmed with funding committed to finish sealing of this alternative inland route,” she said.

“We repeat our calls to undertake this work as a matter of urgency during the coming dry season.

“With the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Cardwell cut off yet again – the confirmation of additional funding into this key North-South transport and heavy freight route – is vital.” Ms Reddan reaffirmed Advance Cairns’ commitment to advocating for critical initiatives, including health services, road connectivity, and the full funding and expedited delivery of the Common User Facility shiplift at the Cairns Marine Precinct.

“With the federal election just a few weeks away, we will now be shifting our attention to securing bipartisan support to fund these major investments required in the Far North,” she said.

“We are pleased to see additional Commonwealth Supported Places at medical schools in regional and remote Australia across the board ... we are very keen to see what this means for James Cook University.

“As well, the budget announced government will uncap medical Commonwealth Supported Places for First Nations students to support the growth of more First Nations doctors which we expect would deliver material benefit to our region.”

Advance Cairns is calling for JCU to receive 100 Commonwealth Supported Places for its Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), phased over five years (2026-2030) to support training and recruitment of Cairns-based clinicians.

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan says the Far North has deep ties with the Pacific, which could be boosted through increased investment in marine infrastructure. Picture: Brendan Radke

With the federal election just weeks away, Advance Cairns’ 2025 Federal Election Priorities call for bipartisan support across key sectors including:

• Cairns Marine Precinct (particularly the 5000 tonne CUF shiplift)

• Primary Health (expanding regional medical workforce)

• Road Connectivity (particularly identifying a solution to the Tablelands-Cairns access)

• Education and Training (CQUniversity Cairns CBD Campus)

• National standard sport facilities

• General Aviation (FNQ training centre of excellence and new CUF hangar)

• Climate Adaptation (disaster resilience and insurance affordability)

• Reef and Rainforest (investments required to preserve the region’s unique environmental assets)

Originally published as Federal budget 2025: Far North projects left out election priorities roll out