Regional Development Australia Tropical North releases five-year strategic plan for Far North Qld

The Far North will become the most productive, liveable city in northern Australia and be home to the next NRL team under a bold new five-year strategic plan.

The Far North will become the most productive, liveable city in northern Australia and be home to the next NRL team under a bold new five-year strategic plan.

Regional Development Australia Tropical North has released its masterplan 2024-2029 developed in collaboration with the FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils.

RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan said forging a regional partnership to develop a plan for the region was critical.

“The plan involved consultation with the state government, industry and community to include 21 local government areas from Cardwell north to the Torres Strait Islands and west to Croydon,” she said.

FNQROC interim executive officer Anthony Archie, FNQROC Chair Cr Michael Kerr, RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan and RDA Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson present the The Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“The strategy identifies key priority development areas and infrastructure projects canvasing land-use perspectives, emerging growth industries and considerations for population growth and liveability to inform government investment decisions.

“These include exploring opportunities for green energy transition, regional collaboration for a plastics recycling industry, facilitating partnerships to realise the Etheridge Agricultural and Irrigation Precinct, regional advocacy to headquarter an 18th NRL team in Cairns and securing further funding to enable the Peninsula Developmental Road to be sealed to Weipa.”

FNQROC chair Michael Kerr said the strategy considered the goals and issues of the region’s councils through the revised FNQ Regional Plan to ensure regional priorities were aligned to facilitate more effective decision making across the region.

“We’re encouraged by the inclusion of key projects including the resolution of access from Cairns to the Tablelands, designated development areas focused on resource recovery and a new economic development precinct in Lakeland,” he said.

The Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy 2024-2029.

Regional Development Minister Kristy McBain said the plan would play a key role in activating diverse social and economic opportunities.

“RDA Tropical North – during a time that the region is experiencing significant weather challenges – has done an incredible job with their plan, which has been developed with stakeholders from all levels of government, business and the community, and I look forward to the positive impacts this will bring across industries – from tourism, elite sports, climate adaptation, and manufacturing.”

The document can be read here https://www.rdatropicalnorth.org.au/tnq-economic-development-strategy-teds-2024-2029

Originally published as Regional Development Australia Tropical North releases five-year strategic plan for Far North Qld