Our bold vision for FNQ, Pacific this Future Cairns 2024 event
The Future Cairns series discusses our bold vision to steer Cairns as a leader in the Pacific, pioneering advances in defence, education, tourism, sport, and sustainable industries.
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Cairns is on the cusp of a bright future, filled with opportunities to embed the city as a critical hub for the greater Pacific region, creating a prosperous and thriving Far North community.
Join us as we launch the 2024 Future Cairns series, gazing into the crystal ball to see what is to come for the region, how Cairns needs to change, and how the city will reach its full potential.
Across two weeks, the Cairns Post and the region’s key leaders will explore the potential of our tropical city and how it can become a Gateway to the Pacific, growing our economy and creating better lives for those that live here.
The Cairns Post and the city’s leaders will also make the case for an Office of the Pacific to be based in Cairns.
The newly formed cross-departmental body is considered key to building positive national security-focused alliances with Pacific Island nations and there is no better place to extend our links into the Pacific than our gateway city.
The series will culminate in the Future Cairns event on June 14, where Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles will lead an expert line-up of speakers, exploring what’s to come.
Richard Marles has served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minster for Defence since May 2022 and with Cairns’ deep connections with defence, his work will be key to shaping the region for the future.
Mr Marles will be joined by fellow speaker Simon Kuestenmacher, director and co-founder of The Demographics Group, who will present on demographic and global trends set to map out the region’s path towards 2050.
The event will also feature News Corp journalist and radio and TV presenter Joe Hildebrand as well as Cairns Post leaders, general manager Stephanie Campbell and editor Tyla Harrington.
“The Future Cairns series discusses our bold vision to steer Cairns as a leader in the Pacific, pioneering advances in defence, education, tourism, sport, and sustainable industries,” Cairns Post general manager Stephanie Campbell said.
“Our region offers unique opportunities as a Gateway to the Pacific, featuring robust export and import options and vibrant tourism facilitated by our international airport,” she said.
“The Cairns Marine Precinct, bolstered by significant infrastructure investment and The Common User Facility, cements our region as a world leader in the repair, overhauls, and maintenance of both defence ships and superyachts.
“The strategic advantages of the Cairns region, in serving as a major hub for both economic and maritime activities, showcasing its pivotal role in international trade and tourism, are endless.”
Future Cairns is proudly supported by Cairns Airport, James Cook University, Crystalbrook Collection Cairns, Ports North and NORSTA Maritime.
It will be held on Friday June 14, 11.30am to 2.30pm, in the Plenary Room at the Cairns Convention Centre.
Tickets can be booked at futurecairns2024.splashthat.com and cost $150 per person or $1350 for a table of ten.
Spotlight firmly on our region
The bold vision to establish Cairns as the Gateway to the Pacific will be critical to the growth of our region.
And key to making Cairns a main player in northern Australia, is securing an Office of the Pacific here.
Cairns has the highest population of people from Papua New Guinea outside Port Moresby, and pivoting to the north will be critical to our future.
The devastation in PNG following recent landslides was deeply felt in Cairns, and our thoughts remain with our nearest neighbour.
Today’s campaign, which culminates with the Future Cairns event on June 14, highlights the close ties we have with PNG as seen in recent weeks. It also explores the unprecedented opportunity for growth ahead.
Our defence presence — including the construction of a $360m Common User Facility, capable of servicing vessels up to a whopping 5000 tonnes — will help cement Cairns as the Gateway to the Pacific.
The 2023 Defence Strategic Review highlights a shift in focus on the country’s northern approach. The opportunity that presents for Cairns should not be underestimated.
Defence aside, trade, investment, partnerships including in sport, increased flights and forward-thinking will be essential. Tourism, freight and water, road infrastructure and building upwards — not outwards — to meet population demands, must be addressed.
There has never been a more critical time to pivot to the north but we must be bold in our vision and strategic in our approach and delivery.
Join us as our leaders make their vision for next year and up until 2050, known.
Our future is bright, and what lies ahead presents a significant opportunity to put the spotlight firmly on Far North Queensland.
Tyla Harrington is the Cairns Post Editor
Originally published as Our bold vision for FNQ, Pacific this Future Cairns 2024 event
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