Advance Cairns Year in Review 2022

Forging Ahead

21 years of connecting and influencing

Advance Cairns was joined by local business owners and representatives to celebrate a decade of support from more than 40 foundation members in 2022.

The event recognised businesses and organisations that have been with Advance Cairns since the organisation introduced the membership-based funding model in 2012. Through this model, our members enable us to remain apolitical and outcome-driven, working towards the best possible results for our region.

Become a member of Advance Cairns today to be part of the team creating a more prosperous future for Far North Queensland.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the region in which we operate and pay our respects to the custodians of the land and waters and recognise their rich and evolving culture and continuing connection to country.

Forging ahead –emerging stronger in a post-pandemic world

What a difference a year makes.

The past 12 months have seen an extraordinary revival in business activity and economic growth across the region. This accelerated activity continued to gather momentum for Advance Cairns as the year drew to a close with a significant number of major funding wins for the region.

The federal election in May saw the Albanese Government elected with a host of pre-election commitments to Far North Queensland - and Northern Australia broadly. The new government delivered on these promises in its October Budget with more than half a billion dollars for major, transformative initiatives with wide-reaching impacts across the Far North Queensland economy.

THE FEDERAL BUDGET DELIVERED ON $150 million towards an expansion of the Cairns Marine Precinct (matched by the Queensland Government)

• $50 million for a new CQUniversity Cairns CBD Campus

• $210 million for safety and capacity upgrades to the Kuranda Range Road

• $107.5 million for the Cairns Water Security Project Stage One (matched by the Queensland Government)

$13.2 million over three years from 2023-24 for James Cook University to establish a full medical school program in Cairns, including 20 new Commonwealth Supported Places

• $15 million in international destination marketing funds for Tourism Tropical North Queensland

These essential investments of both federal and state funds were a major highlight of the year and reflected years of advocacy in partnership with many stakeholders across the region. As Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King noted at an Advance Cairns function, “smart advocacy” by Advance Cairns on behalf of the region has indeed borne fruit and will result in an increased diversification of the Far North Queensland economy.

Our close engagement with the State Government continued throughout the year and saw further significant announcements, notably the Deputy Premier Steven Miles’s confirmation of a renewed

Far North Queensland Regional Plan, underpinned by a regional economic strategy. Further, the Premier announced that the next Regional Sitting of Queensland Parliament would be held in Cairns in May 2023. This is a major coup for the region and a fantastic way to showcase the opening of the expanded Cairns Convention Centre.

The year saw significant policy changes at both state and federal level with the new Federal Government introducing policy on climate change and energy, and at state level, the launch of the Palaszczuk Government's Energy and Jobs Plan.

In light of a successful advocacy campaign and the changing political landscape, Advance Cairns is undertaking a comprehensive review of our own strategic advocacy priorities to ensure we maximise opportunities for the region.

One of our corporate highlight speakers of the year, NBN Australia CEO Stephen Rue, spoke of regionalisation and digitisation as among the five key megatrends which are shaping our future.

The Covid years accelerated a move to regionalisation across the nation as workers across sectors reevaluated what was important and as jobs became portable – this time by choice and not by stint of geographic isolation.

We look forward to continuing to work with our stakeholders and our members to advance the region. We are unashamedly passionate and enthusiastic about the as yet untapped potential of the region as well as the transformational projects that will be completed and opened during 2023. The region is well and truly bouncing back.

NICK TROMPF Chair, Advance Cairns

JACINTA REDDAN CEO, Advance Cairns

About us

Advance Cairns is the peak independent, non-government advocacy and economic development organisation for Tropical North Queensland. We are apolitical and work beyond election cycles to deliver a stronger, more prosperous future for the TNQ region.

NICK TROMPF Chair Principal, Tallangalook Shorthorns and Santa Gertrudis

TRENT TWOMEY Director and Past Chair Partner and Pharmacist, Alive Pharmacy Warehouse

RICHARD BARKER Director and Deputy Chair CEO, North Queensland Airports

PROF SIMON BIGGS Director Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University

DWAYNE FREEMAN Director CEO, Sea Swift

PHIL GROWDEN Director GM Queensland, Austal Australia

JACINTA REDDAN CEO Advance Cairns

JODIE DUIGNAN-GEORGE Director Associate Vice President FNQ, CQUniversity

SHARON DAWSON Director CEO, Dawsons Engineering

CHRIS BOLAND Director CEO, Ports North

Life Members

Patrons

TRISH TRAVERS Executive Assistant Business Operations Advance Cairns

TAYLOR MOY Government Relations Manager Advance Cairns

SHERIDAN IRELAND Marketing and Communications Manager Advance Cairns

RUSSELL BEER Life Member

THE LATE KEITH DE LACY AM Life Member

RICHARD IRELAND OAM Inaugural Life Member

GEORGE CHAPMAN AO Patron

MICHAEL DELANEY Past Deputy Chair Advance Cairns would like to extend a special thanks to past Deputy Chair Michael Delaney, who stepped down from his role at the end of 2022 following 10 years on the Advance Cairns Executive Board.

LT. GEN. JOHN GREY AC (RET’D) Patron

CLIVE SKAROTT AM Patron

Events and briefings

In a year busy with political visits and funding announcements arising from the May federal election, Advance Cairns capitalised on the renewed focus and activity with a range of events and meetings across 2022.

Then-Defence Minister Peter Dutton; QLD Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick; Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey; and the new Federal Government's Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King each headlined key events throughout the year to give Advance Cairns members special insight into funding and major projects happening around the region.

We also had the pleasure of honouring some of our most dedicated supporters with a function to celebrate the 42 foundation members who have been with the organisation since the beginning of our membershipbased model 10 years ago. The year came to a highly productive close with trips to State and Federal Parliament to continue our advocacy as well as a key event with NBN CEO Stephen Rue, and the launch of our Innovation Series in November. We hope you enjoyed these events as much as we did, and we look forward to sharing many more with you in 2023.

21 MARCH

Luncheon with Prof Simon Biggs, Vice Chancellor and President of JCU

19 JANUARY

Luncheon with Hon Peter Dutton MP, then-Minister for Defence

27 APRIL Federal election luncheon: meet the candidates for Leichhardt

7 JUNE

Economic forecast breakfast with ANZ and Conus Business Consultancy

Roundtable with QLD Premier, Health Minister and Director-General for the Department of Premier and Cabinet

20 APRIL

Federal election luncheon: meet the candidates for Kennedy

29 NOVEMBER Lunch with NBN Co CEO Stephen Rue

21-25 NOVEMBER Visit to Australian Parliament

7-10 NOVEMBER Visit to Queensland Parliament 27 OCTOBER Annual General Meeting and post-AGM cocktail function

6 OCTOBER

Breakfast with Hon Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads

13-15 SEPTEMBER

2022-23 Pre-Budget meetings with federal senators and MPs

6 JULY 2022 Budget, Trade and Investment luncheon with QLD Treasurer Hon Cameron Dick MP

15 JUNE Advance Cairns foundation members function

16 NOVEMBER Innovation event: Advanced Air Mobility breakfast

19 OCTOBER

Breakfast with Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

23 NOVEMBER Meeting with Senator the Hon Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism

10 JUNE

Defence growth expectations roundtable with DFAT and senior diplomats from Asia

Advocacy wins in 2022

Advance Cairns led the way for an exceptionally fruitful year for Tropical North Queensland that was headlined by more than a billion dollars in commitments from the State and Federal Governments throughout 2022.

Strong advocacy centred around the Forging a Brighter Future priorities manifesto saw bipartisan federal support for major funding including $50m towards a CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus and 20 additional Commonwealth Supported Places at James Cook University to enable medical students to complete the full six-year degree in Cairns. A further $210m for Kuranda Range Road upgrades was committed by the Albanese Government in its first Federal Budget in October, while the State and Federal Governments each committed $107.5m for Council's Cairns Water SecurityStage 1 project and $150m towards the Cairns Marine Precinct. Advance Cairns CEO Jacinta Reddan said the funding was a significant win for the region, describing the projects as “transformational” for Far North Queensland.

“These projects deepen the breadth of the economy, create jobs and skills growth, improve logistics and supply chain, support the delivery of critical medical services and paint a bright, sustainable future for the region. We are pleased to see strong advocacy from Advance Cairns, TTNQ, and other regional stakeholders come to fruition through support for marine, health, tourism, and road infrastructure,” said Ms Reddan. In light of the election of a new Federal Government and with a State Election next year, Advance Cairns is undertaking a wholesale review of its priorities in early 2023.

We did it!

$1 billion secured for Tropical North Queensland in 2022.

FEDERAL

$50 million

Federal funding for a new CQU Cairns CBD campus

$210 million

Federal funding for safety and capacity upgrades to Kuranda Range Road

$15 million

Federal funding for TTNQ to revive international tourism into Cairns

20 Additional Commonwealth Supported Places from the Federal Government for JCU Medical School

80 Additional Commonwealth Supported Places from the Federal Government for medical students in rural and remote areas

$31.6 million*

Federal funding towards upgrading the Gulf section of the Savannah Way

STATE

$250 million

State funding to expand capacity at Cairns Hospital

$100 million

State funding matched by the state’s four largest airports to revive international tourism into Queensland

JOINT FUNDING

$300 million

Shared funding from the State and Federal governments for major port infrastructure upgrades at Cairns

$215 million

Shared funding from the State and Federal Governments for Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project

*Committed in the March 2022-23 Federal Budget

Advocacy Priorities Infrastructure

CAIRNS MARINE PRECINCT

The Cairns Marine Precinct (CMP) secured a major funding commitment this year, with the Federal and State Governments each pledging $150m ($300m total) towards major port infrastructure upgrades, including a Common User Facility at the precinct. The announcement followed recommendations from the Cairns Marine Precinct Expansion Detailed Business Case, released January 2022. Progress is also underway on the State Government’s $32m early works to deliver in-water maintenance berths for the CMP, which involves the construction of two new wharves to upgrade services and improve the precinct’s overall capacity.

Advance Cairns now seeks delivery of the $300m, a commitment of $24m across two years for upgrades to the city's three shipyards, and delivery of upgrades to HMAS Cairns as part of the $155m package to support Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels.

CAIRNS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT

Following James Cook University’s move to buy a critical piece of land in North Cairns in 2021, the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) has secured a parcel of the site for further expansion of Cairns Hospital. Advance Cairns has doubled down on its push for this significant project for the region. Progress is currently underway for Phase 1: Optimise and Innovate, with the State Government committing $4.4m to undergo a full business case as well as an additional $15m for land acquisition.

Advance Cairns will request full funding as per the business case’s recommendations following its completion and evaluation.

Our 2022 State Budget submission also called for $9m in urgent funding for a full business case for a new acute clinical service building and for subsequent recommendations from the business case to be fully funded by the state.

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

The new Federal Government committed $50m to establish a new CQUniversity campus in the Cairns CBD in the October 2022 Federal Budget. The funding came a year after the then-Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers made a pre-election promise at an Advance Cairns event in 2021. Also committed was funding for 20 Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) at James Cook University to enable students to complete the full Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program in Cairns, as well as an additional 80 CSPs for students in rural and remote areas across Australia.

Advance Cairns is now seeking delivery of the $50m to construct the permanent, purpose-built CQU CBD campus capable of accommodating 4,000+ students. Advance Cairns is also pursuing allocation of 40 of the additional 80 CSPs committed in the budget, as well as Federal Government support to expand the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College, which would enable training for the Pacific patrol boat crew at TAFE.

CAIRNS AIRPORT – REBUILDING AVIATION

Following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the local tourism industry and Cairns Airport more specifically, passenger numbers through the airport have begun to see gradual increases back to preCOVID figures. Cairns Airport data from FY2022 showed almost 2.7 million domestic and international passengers passed through the airport in the 12 months to June 2022, up from just over 2.1 million in 2021 but still a long way from preCOVID figures of 5 million in FY2019. In February 2022 the State Government announced a nationleading deal to invest $100m, matched dollar-for-dollar by Cairns International Airport and three other of the state’s largest airports, to secure flights and rebuild Queensland’s $6bn tourism industry. Advance Cairns will continue to support Cairns Airport, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the local tourism industry more broadly as they continue their recovery from COVID-19.

FOOD AND WATER SECURITY

Cairns Water Security – Stage 1 project was a big winner in 2022, receiving $215m (split 50:50) in the State and Federal Budgets. The project was flagged as a key priority by Cairns Regional Council’s Water Security Advisory Group, with the group highlighting that continued population growth means increased storage capacity is critical to secure the region’s water supply. Advance Cairns and Cairns Regional Council are now seeking urgent delivery of the funding.

Advance Cairns is also seeking federal funding for Etheridge Shire Agricultural and Irrigation Precinct Project and North Johnston River Diversion Scheme, as well as completion of the State Government’s Regional Water Assessment for the Atherton Tablelands by early 2023.

COASTAL ROADS

Master planning for the Cairns Ring Road upgrade is currently underway and is expected to be completed in mid to late 2023. The project includes road widening and intersection upgrades to ease congestion and improve connectivity in the region. In addition, the $300m upgrade on Cairns Western Arterial Road that Advance Cairns also advocated for is progressing, with detailed design underway and construction to begin in mid-2023.

TABLELANDS ACCESS

The Kuranda Range Road received a funding commitment of $210m in the October 2022 Federal Budget following strong advocacy from Advance Cairns. There have been 21 years of studies on the Kuranda Range Road, with most recommendations not implemented. As a result, safety, capacity and efficiency issues are now at a critical point.

Advance Cairns recommends that the Federal Government delivers upon its Budget commitment and that, within that funding commitment, $21m is allocated for a preliminary evaluation and detailed business case into preferred alternative routes for this vital economic corridor.

INLAND ROADS

Tropical North Queensland’s inland roads such as the Savannah Way and the Kennedy Developmental Road are vital to enhancing the productivity of northern Australia and improving connectivity to southern markets. However, segments of unsealed road along these routes are limiting the economic value of the road links and isolating communities during the wet season.

Upgrading the remaining sections of the Savannah Way is estimated to require at least $39.8m annually over 10 years (including $94.1m that has already been committed). Advance Cairns is calling for the Federal and State Governments to commit and allocate the remaining project funding in equal portions over 10 years. In addition, $25m is sought from the Federal Government to seal the final 11km of the Kennedy Developmental Road and complete the White Cliffs realignment to seal this key route in its entirety.

Advocacy Priorities Policy

REGIONAL HEALTH PLANNING

In 2022 the Federal Government announced $13.2m for 20 additional Commonwealth Supported Places for James Cook University’s Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery program (see Education and Research). The commitment enables students to complete the full six-year degree in Cairns, thereby retaining local skills and expanding the region’s junior medical workforce. A further 80 CSPs have been allocated nationally for rural and remote students via competitive process.

Advance Cairns now seeks allocation of 40 of the 80 national CSPs for JCU medical. In addition, Federal and State Government support is sought for five strategies that have been identified to help alleviate the constant pressure on Cairns Hospital. These strategies include an FNQ palliative care hospice, community-based mental health initiatives, a chronic condition care facility, health research and education investment, and development of a regional health plan.

TNQ TOURISM RECOVERY FUND

A $15m funding commitment was awarded to Tourism Tropical North Queensland in the March 2022 Federal Budget following strong advocacy from TTNQ and Advance Cairns. The funding will go towards delivering three priority programs: supporting new aviation routes with demand driving, trade and market re-engagement, and lifting the global profile of the Great Barrier Reef.

Following an extremely difficult few years for the region’s tourism industry, there have been some positive signs in the past 12 months with domestic expenditure reaching $4bn in the year ending September 2022 for the first time since borders closed in 2020. The figure marks a fifth consecutive quarterly record and is a 60.1% increase on pre-COVID figures for overnight visitor expenditure.

PACIFIC ENGAGEMENT

A strong focus by the new Federal Government on a comprehensive foreign policy engagement with Australia's Pacific neighbours in line with a thawing of relations with our major trading partner, China, have elevated the importance of our geographic proximity to the Pacific. Cairns is well-placed to contribute significantly to these stronger ties which draw on our long-established networks and cultural ties with Pacific nations.

To drive implementation of Australia’s Pacific Engagement Strategy, Advance Cairns has three key recommendations: that, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Federal Government establishes an operational headquarters of the Office of the Pacific in Cairns; that the Federal Government formally designates Cairns as Australia’s northern hub for delivering the Federal Government’s Step-Up to the Pacific Program; and that $1.5m is committed to develop a comprehensive strategy to identify and maximise opportunities for Cairns as part of the Step-Up to the Pacific agenda.

LAND USE AND AGRICULTURE

Uncertainty surrounding land use and land tenure arrangements in agricultural development is impacting agricultural and environmental management investment, as many leaseholders and financial institutions require a more secure form of tenure. To reduce this uncertainty, Advance Cairns recommends that the State Government establishes a framework for Strategic Agricultural Development Areas in Queensland, similar in nature to State Development Areas. In addition, the establishment of an Office of the Coordinator General in Far North Queensland is sought from the State Government, to be based in Cairns to coordinate strategic regional land use planning and major development approvals.

What lies ahead

JANUARY

Federal Budget submission due

FEBRUARY

James Cook University welcomes first intake of 40 first-year medical students to its Nguma-bada campus in Smithfield

MARCH

State Budget submission due

*Expected completion date

MAY

Completion of the Cairns Convention Centre expansion*

MAY

Federal Budget

MAY

Regional sitting of Queensland Parliament in Cairns

JUNE

New Atherton Hospital facilities to become operational following the completed redevelopment

JUNE

State Budget

JUNE

Completion of Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale*

LATE 2023

Launch of advocacy priorities

The first piles were driven at the Port of Cairns in 2022 as part of a $28 million State Government investment into new and upgraded wharves.

Connect and influence

Advance Cairns welcomes businesses committed to advancing the interests of Tropical North Queensland. We work best as a region when we work together - and clearly, we are stronger together. Become a member today and have your say in unlocking the potential of Tropical North Queensland.

Members have the opportunity to be actively involved in supporting economic growth priorities, to attend exclusive events and forums, to engage with top-level speakers and people of influence to help secure a legacy of prosperity for our region.

To join Advance Cairns email admin@advancecairns.com or call CEO Jacinta Reddan on 4080 2900.

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Nick Trompf Advance Cairns Chair & Council Chair

Richard Barker

Jodie Duignan-George (Observer)

Advance Cairns Director CQUniversity

Sonja Johnson (Observer) RDA Tropical North

PATRONS

Clive Skarott AM Advance Cairns Patron

George Chapman AO Advance Cairns Patron

Lt. Gen. John Grey AC (Ret’d) Advance Cairns Patron

LIFE MEMBERS

Richard Ireland OAM Ireland’s Motor Group

Russell Beer MacDonnells Law

The late Keith De Lacy AM Former QLD Treasurer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nick Trompf Chair

Richard Barker Director and Deputy Chair

CEO, North Queensland Airports

Prof Simon Biggs

Director

Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University

Chris Boland Director

CEO, Ports North

Sharon Dawson Director

CEO, Dawsons Group

Jodie Duignan-George Director

Associate Vice President FNQ, CQUniversity

Dwayne Freeman

Director

CEO, Sea Swift

Phil Growden Director

GM Queensland, Austal

Trent Twomey

Director and immediate past Chair

Pharmacist and Partner, Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Group

Advance Cairns Director and Deputy Chair North Queensland Airports

Prof Simon Biggs Advance Cairns Director James Cook University

Chris Boland

Advance Cairns Director Ports North

Stephanie Campbell Cairns Post

Tim Campbell TAFE Queensland

Brad Egerton MSF Sugar

Dwayne Freeman Advance Cairns Director Sea Swift

Eva Grabner Elite Executive

Phil Growden Advance Cairns Director Austal Australia

Richard Ireland OAM Ireland’s Motor Group

Colin MacKinnon Brilliant Technologies

James Mort MiHaven

Elisha-Vi Raso NAB

Rhiannon Saunders WGC Lawyers

Robert Tindall Silica Resources Australia

Andrew Wagner Tropical Reef Shipyard

Ken Chapman (Observer)

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

George Chapman AO (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Michael Delaney (Observer) BDO

Lt. Gen. John Grey AC (Ret’d) (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Mark Olsen (Observer)

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Patricia O’Neill (Observer) Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Jacinta Reddan (Observer)

Advance Cairns CEO

Enver Selita (Observer) Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Clive Skarott AM (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Trent Twomey (Observer)

Advance Cairns Director Alive Pharmacy Warehouse Group

FINANCE, AUDIT & RISK MITIGATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jodie Duignan-George

Advance Cairns Director and Committee Chair CQUniversity

Prof Simon Biggs

Advance Cairns Director James Cook University

Michael Delaney (until October 2022) BDO

Todd Kelly (from October 2022) BDO

Sean Walsh Miller Harris Lawyers

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Leah Horstmann Committee Chair Tropic Studio

Elisha-Vi Raso NAB

Jeffery Schrale ANZ

Thank you to everyone who is actively involved in helping our region to emerge stronger in a post-pandemic world.

Thank you

Each of our Platinum, Executive, Premier, General and Community members make a significant contribution to our work and our region. We thank them for their ongoing support through 2022.

Platinum members

Executive members

Premier members

General and Community members

AAB Equipment

Access Community Housing Company

AFL Cairns

Air Freight Handling Services

Anglicare North Queensland

ANZ

Aurecon Australasia

Babinda Electrics

BDO

Big Cat Green Island

Brazier Motti

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service

Cairns Aviation Skills Centre

Cairns Bank

Cairns Convention Centre

Cairns Private – Ramsay Health

Cairns Wholesale Paint

CaPTA Group

Catholic Education Services Cairns

CBRE

Chapman Group

CPB Contractors

CSF Industries

Dawsons Engineering

Destination Cairns Marketing

Elite Executive

EMBECA

Energy Queensland

Entrada Travel Group

Experience Co

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation

FGF Developments

Flinders Shire Council

Fomento Resources Australia

Fowler’s Group

GHD

Grant Thornton

Harvey Norman Cairns

Haz-Elec Industries

HEH Civil

Herron Todd White Cairns

Hilton Hotel

Holding Redlich

Joe Vella Insurance Brokers

MacDonnells Law

Mac Farms

Maxitool

McDonalds Family Restaurant

MiHaven

Miller Harris Lawyers

Mission Consulting Solutions

nbn Co

Pacifica Chartered Accountants

Peters Bosel Lawyers

Power & Data Support Services

PVW Partners

Queensland X-Ray

Rattle + Hum

Reef and Rainforest Research Centre

Riley Resort

SBJ Joint Venture

Selectability Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel

Skill360

SMC Marine

Tablelands Regional Council

Tallangalook Shorthorns and Santa Gertrudis

TBS Partner Services

Ten Years Younger/Carelynx

Terrain Natural Resource Management

The Benson Hotel

The Business Centre Cairns

The Chambers

The Reef Hotel Casino

The Wallace Family

Trinity Anglican School

Tropic Group

Watpac Construction

Westpac

WGC Lawyers

Get Involved

Advance Cairns members are socially responsible businesses which have committed to securing a legacy of prosperity for the region. Through your membership, you will join these leaders in demonstrating a commitment to move beyond talk and into action. How you engage is ultimately up to you.

Connect

As a member of Advance Cairns, you can engage with our activities and build your connections with executive business leaders and government and grow the profile of your organisation across the region. Throughout the year, we host a number of events exclusively for members which feature high profile speakers and guests and which can provide you with access to senior politicians and executive leaders of top tier Australian companies.

Influence

Each of our advocacy priorities are reviewed annually in collaboration with member representatives and with key regional partners such as the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Regional Development Australia, Superyachts Great Barrier Reef and Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Have your say in these reviews by engaging with our Board members, Advisory Council members and Executive team throughout the year. You can also nominate to sit on our member committees and Board of Directors. A range of members also get to directly influence policy at a political level by participating in major advocacy initiatives and ministerial round-tables.

Prosper

Through your membership, you will help us drive government support for catalytic projects and vital policy change, using your voice to shape the region to secure a prosperous economy for TNQ. You will also be supporting our economic development work.