Infrastructure priorities

The unusual nature of 2020 has meant that Advance Cairns concentrated more on short term advocacy, connecting and working together with local advocacy and industry groups to pursue increased immediate and ongoing government support for our region that was particularly devastated by COVID-19.

At the same time, the 2020 State Election provided a backdrop to secure pledges from both major parties for Advance Cairns’ ongoing infrastructure priorities. Highlights included key commitments for the Cairns University Hospital, Cairns marine precinct and Cairns Western Arterial Road.

Cairns University Hospital Redevelopment Project

highlights The Queensland State Government has committed $15 million towards land purchase, $1.5 million for a preliminary business case, as well as an in-principle commitment to the construction of the Cairns University Hospital.

The pre-election promise of the State Government to ensure the Cairns University Hospital is built is a great outcome for the region and will be vital to ensuring the health needs of Tropical North Queensland will be met. The transition of Cairns Hospital to university status will allow the hospital to deliver world-class, highquality care to address the critical health challenges facing TNQ and will also enable the hospital to address its current challenges related to hospital capacity, site resilience, workforce attraction and retention, and bringing care closer to home for our community.

Education and Research Sector

highlights A high profile site has been identified by Cairns Regional Council as the preferred location for a proposed new CQUniversity CBD campus. CQUniversity’s Asia-Pacific Aviation Hub is operational and continues to expand its student intake.

Given Tropical North Queensland faces a skills shortage in areas related to health, allied health, aviation and a number of other STEAM professions, several projects have been identified to address these skills gaps and boost educational facilities in the region, but government funding is yet to be secured. These include $50 million for the permanent new CQUniversity campus in the Cairns CBD, and $15 million for Stage 3 of the Asia-Pacific aviation hub.

3

Cairns Ring Road

highlights The Federal Government confirmed it would extend the National Highway A1 from its previous termination point near Cairns port out to Smithfield. The State Government committed $60 million to duplicate the Cairns Western Arterial Road between Redlynch Connector Rd and Kamerunga Rd, supporting about 100 local jobs.

4

A combined State and Federal investment of $359 million has been included in the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program for Cairns Ring Road Stage 1 – the upgrading of the Captain Cook Hwy from the CBD to Smithfield. the Federal Government extension of the National Highway A1 will provide much better links between the CBD and the Cairns sea port, Cairns airport, the northern beaches and southern access route. Planning will commence for the Cairns Ring Road (Cairns CBD to Smithfield), jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government, in 2021.

Cairns Marine Precinct

highlights Federal Government investment will double the tonnage and treble the complexity of the Navy’s fleet. $28 million has been committed by the State Government to build two new wharves in the marine precinct, providing critical initial infrastructure for future expansion. $2 million has also been earmarked for a business case for the marine precinct. Global ship builder Austal Australia bought one of Cairns’ three shipyards in December 2020 and has ambitions for considerable expansion.

As Queensland’s only operational Navy base, Cairns is to be the first of three Regional Maintenance Centres for the Australian Navy, with the others in Perth and Darwin. That project continues apace, with announcements for a Regional Maintenance Provider to co-ordinate RMC activities due mid-2021. As well as 12 new offshore patrol vessels to be put into service between now and 2029, the Federal Government has announced it is to build six new Cape Class patrol boats and a further eight vessels for hydrographic surveys and mine countermeasures.

5

National Highway A1

highlight The State Government is close to finalising a study investigating access options to the Atherton Tablelands, including the Kuranda Range Rd.

With the completion of the Tablelands Access Report, further investment in this critical Kuranda Range Rd connection should be made, to enable important agricultural and safer vehicle routes. Additional funding for the Bruce Highway between Cairns and Townsville should also be earmarked to maintain and grow the region’s competitiveness and access.

6

Arts, Culture & Sport

highlight Bulmba-Ja Arts Centre (formerly Cairns Centre of Contemporary Arts) was opened in 2020 after a $5.9 million refurbishment, funded by the State Government as part of a vision to support Arts and Culture in the far north.

The continued growth of arts, culture and sport require investment. To achieve this, three key projects have been identified: Cairns Gallery Precinct development ($39.8 million); Cairns Showground, Sporting and Community Precinct redevelopment ($40 million); and International sports destination market assessment and business case ($1 million).

7

Food and Water Security

highlight The Federal Government has contributed $2bn extra funding into the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund in its 2020-21 budget.

8

The growing demand for water in the region means several water supply projects are necessary for the future growth of the region. The proposed North Johnstone River Diversion is currently being evaluated by the State Government via detailed hydrological modelling, with results due early 2021. Regional Development Australia Tropical North, through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund (NWIDF), is leading a strategic business case that investigates new water storage options to expand the Lakeland irrigation area. The Federal Government has committed an additional $10 million for the business case. A detailed business case for the Gilbert River Irrigation Project was completed in May 2020, demonstrating a positive economic outcome for the project. Etheridge Shire Council is currently developing a strategy to further advance the project.

Gulf Savannah Way

highlight Work has commenced, following the Federal Government investment of $50 million, plus $12.5 million from State Government.

Sealing of this road will ensure key freight access routes are more efficient, reliable and safe. It will also facilitate other opportunities, including tourism.