TEL marks ‘turning point’ for north’s economic importance

This year has marked a change for the region’s economic growth, but an advocacy group’s CEO says that offered investments have to make it “on the ground”.

Steve Price and Claudia Brumme-Smith, CEO of Townsville Enterprise, outside Reef HQ which remains closed. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The chief executive of a North Queensland advocacy group has described the year as a “turning point” for North Queensland, but warns that financial commitments have to still lead to genuine results.

Townsville Enterprise’s CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith, who led a lobbying delegation to Canberra last month alongside two city councillors, was satisfied with the funding outcomes for the region and said it had fought hard for funding victories that were driven by the community.

But it would need to continue pushing for such outcomes.

As part of a Christmas message and annual summary to TEL’s members, Ms Brumme-Smith observed that one such standout moment was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s confirmation it would fund the full $180m for the ReefHQ Aquarium.

Such funding did come at a cost as $100m was required to be diverted from a concert hall, which had caused upset within the cultural community, but had been left to the Townsville City Council to choose to do so.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at the The Courier-Mail-Townsville Bulletin Bush Summit, where he confirmed $100m in federal funding would go towards completing the ReefHQ. Picture: Liam Kidston

But it had also taken a strong outcry from community representatives, including long-running radio presenter Steve ‘Pricey’ Price, for the necessary funding to complete the aquarium.

“This victory was the result of years of advocacy, a powerful community movement, and a clear message from the north that the reef, and our region, deserved to be prioritised,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

“It’s a win that will continue to benefit our community, the tourism sector, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef for years to come.”

Steve Price outside the closed Reef HQ, with a promotion of a radio show he did in 1994 at the aquarium. Picture: Shae Beplate.

And while Ms Brumme-Smith’s overall message was a positive one, highlighting the achievements, she also said it was necessary that these funding announcements led to the projects actually happening.

“Looking ahead, it is important that we capitalise on the commitments that are in front of us by working hard to convert those major project announcements to real on-the-ground investments that will generate high value, and ongoing jobs for decades to come,” she said.

Other financial commitments the TEL CEO celebrated from this year included more than $2bn in defence, a $530m expansion of Townsville University Hospital, an $8m Polysilicon Refinery at Quinbrook, and sustainable aviation fuel production within the region.

Yirendali traditional owners representative Jim Hill and former Premier Steven Miles at the groundbreaking of the CopperString project at Hughenden in July. Picture: Supplied

And most significantly was the much awaited beginning of the CopperString project, with early foundational work having started on a workforce accommodation site in Hughenden in July.

The project, which reportedly had blown out in expected costs from $5bn to $9bn this year, would increase feasibility for mine development, and generate and connect large amounts of green energy in an area unconnected from the national grid.

“CopperString is laying the foundation for a new chapter in North Queensland, one that will power our industries, fuel innovation, and usher in opportunities for prosperity and job creation,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.

Originally published as TEL marks ‘turning point’ for north’s economic importance