Cairns Post Bush Summit: Residents and readers on region’s challenges and opportunities

Our leaders got their say on what the biggest issues and opportunities were for FNQ. But we also had to ask the locals, ahead of the Bush Summit roundtable. What they said.

Residents of the Far North have taken a different stance on the region’s challenges and opportunities, than those presented by our leaders, calling for more action on preserving local industries, cost of living and community infrastructure.

Ahead of Cairns Post’s Bush Summit roundtable on Tuesday, the Far North’s industry and civic leaders had their say on their likes and dislikes of the region.

But a survey of local residents found everyday Far Northerners were not as concerned by the big ticket issues raised by leading figures such as climate change, housing infrastructure investment, weather resilience and business confidence.

A Mount Sheridan says it would be nice to have Aldi in the Far North. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Mount Sheridan retiree Robyn Wakefield said she felt the region’s distance to major centres was a significant challenge, contributing to the cost of living.

“Wouldn’t it be great to have an Aldi up here for more competition against Woolworths and Coles,” she said.

“But I would gather cost-wise is what’s holding them back.”

Robyn Wakefield, retired, from Mt Sheridan.

Ms Wakefield said it was also disappointing locals couldn’t afford to be backyard tourists with ticketed experiences.

She said the region’s opportunity was to market itself as the “perfect” place for family living and to raise a family.

Goldsborough small business owner Matthew Ogilvie said there was not enough encouragement and infrastructure for kids to be outdoors and “off their devices.”

Matthew Ogilvie, small business owner, from Goldsborough Valley.

He said the region’s potential to grow its population was a major opportunity, but felt governments weren’t keeping up with infrastructure needs.

But Gordonvale retiree Mandy Andersen, who had only recently moved to the area said she was concerned about the impacts of housing development on the local sugar industry.

Mandy Anderson, retired, from Gordonvale.

“It would be a very sad thing to see, the importance of the mill to the local community is a concern as well,” Ms Andersen said.

Mount Sheridan electrician Damien Galea echoed the views of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and said the greatest challenge for the region was also one of the greatest opportunities.

The MSF owned sugar mill at Gordonvale. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“Trying to get the people who go off to Brisbane or Townsville and build exceptional skill sets back into the area to build business … in my experience so far it’s proven very difficult.“I think there’s an opportunity for trades – if you’ve got a good trade skill set and something you can deliver to the community, there’s opportunities to build on that.”

Damien Galea, electrician, from Mt Sheridan.

Gordonvale coxswain Jake Farnan who had just completed a road trip from Yeppoon back to the Far North said there were too many “bandaid solutions” along the Bruce Hwy.

“That’s one of the biggest ones up here especially with all the trucks coming up here to supply the regions,” he said.

Mr Farnan said the greatest opportunities would be assisting younger workers with free or cheaper courses which would allow them to build or work in the region’s tourism oriented businesses.

Jake Farnan, coxswain, from Gordonvale.

Meanwhile readers of the Cairns Post in droves responded with one word answers, when asked about the region’s greatest challenges: crime.

Other readers said drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence was high on the list of their concerns.

Some readers suggested Cairns’ population was growing too quickly, while others wanted corporate head offices to move staff to the Far North, while some spruiked dividing the state in half.

Readers did not hold back on the region’s crumbling roads with many calling for a new Cairns to Tablelands connector, while also complaining about the “slowness” of delivering infrastructure to the Far North.

Originally published as Cairns Post Bush Summit: Residents and readers on region’s challenges and opportunities