Tropical North Queensland to lead Brisbane delegation ahead of state election

A delegation of business leaders will this week head to Brisbane to call for funding on health, aviation and other critical projects. Here’s why now is the time to strike.

There is an “unparalleled opportunity” coming up to get multimillion-dollar health, aviation and marine precinct projects under way as well as back-pocket support for small businesses, a Cairns industry leader says.

About 30 Cairns business figures will travel to Brisbane this week as part of a delegation led by Advance Cairns, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, where they will push the state government, opposition and crossbenchers to act on a wishlist of priorities.

Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan said with the Queensland election in October and a federal election on the horizon next year, now was the time to be heard.

“We look at the fact that cabinet was here last week, the week before was shadow cabinet – we know there’s an increased focus on the region,” she said.

A delegation of almost 30 business leaders from Cairns and Far North Queensland is heading to Queensland's parliament house on Wednesday to lobby government departments for extra funding in key priority areas for the region. The delegation is spearheaded by Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O'Neill, Advance Cairns chief executive Jacinta Reddan and Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen. Picture: Brendan Radke

“(The delegation) really does give us a terrific opportunity to be front and centre and make sure the collective voice of Far North Queensland is heard.”

The group’s requests include more than $200m to fund the design and construction of the Cairns Health Innovation Centre, a key part of Cairns Hospital becoming a university hospital.

They will also call for the state government to put in an extra $128.5m for the Cairns water security project, plus quicker delivery of the Cairns Marine Precinct common user facility.

A $63m investment in the general aviation precinct joins the list, which would lead to a new 10,000sq m hangar and a full flight training simulator.

Another $100m towards the state government’s aviation attraction scheme is being sought as well, in a bid to get more flights in and out of Cairns Airport.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the state government fund had already been successful in securing more Japan and Singapore flights while “great conversations” were under way with Air New Zealand.

“We’re competing globally, not only for freight, not only for trade, not only for investment, but also for tourism,” he said.

“That aviation attraction investment fund is vital to the entire community.”

New accommodation for pilots-in-training at the general aviation facility, as well for students across James Cook University’s two campuses, are two other requests that would help free up the city’s housing supply.

“Urgent delivery” of road upgrades to improve Cairns to Northern Beaches, Tablelands and the Gulf section of the Savannah Way access, as well as small business insurance duty exemption and funding for security upgrades round out the wishlist.

Originally published as Tropical North Queensland to lead Brisbane delegation ahead of state election