TROPIQ: TROPICAL INTELLIGENCE AND HEALTH PRECINCT

Growth Opportunity

TropiQ, Townsville’s Tropical Intelligence and Health Precinct is a global destination that lives and breathes realworld research and innovation.

Backed by Townsville City Council and located only 13km from the Townsville CBD, TropiQ is situated at the nexus of Townsville University Hospital (TUH) and James Cook University (JCU) and shares a boundary with Australia’s largest Army base, Lavarack Barracks.

TropiQ is experiencing significant growth via the expansion programs of its key institutional partners, whilst also managing development enquiries for a range of projects exceeding $1 billion in overall value.

To ensure these development opportunities can be effectively realised, and to cater for the increased demand on trunk infrastructure, TropiQ requires an immediate planning program to establish enabling infrastructure needs. This work is beyond the means and capabilities of the University, the Hospital and Townsville City Council and requires government funding and support.

STATUS:

TropiQ is home to approximately 70 organisations and contributes $3.5 billion to the regional economy annually.

It is the most significant innovation and employment hub for North Queensland and adjoins Australia’s largest land-based Defence Force (Lavarack Barracks).

Masterplan processes have resulted in major investment in the precinct, including soon to be delivered major infrastructure projects such as:

$530 million TUH expansion and associated ~$80 million multi-level carpark

Private Hospital development interest (circa $200 million + project)

$94M JCU Technology Innovation Complex

$54M JCU student accommodation

What We Need

$10 million from State or Federal Government to support the construction and detailed planning of the enabling infrastructure for TropiQ.

$32 million North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ Spark). These major projects will deliver significant economic and social benefits to the community but will place considerable strain on supporting infrastructure such as roads, power, and water.

This significant investment will also position the TropiQ precinct to attract further investment from public and private proponents who have already indicated interest in the competitive advantage offered by the precinct. This could introduce thousands of health and knowledge jobs into Townsville and increase the annual economic output from $3.5 billion to more than $4.4 billion by 2035.

Achieving this revolutionary benefit for the region is directly dependent on establishing the enabling infrastructure needs, which will not be possible without government investment.

The TropiQ program is underpinned by a range of masterplanning processes, regional, local and State Government plans and policies. These include:

Townsville University Hospital Masterplan

James Cook University Masterplan

Townsville City Deal - Health and Knowledge Development Strategy

North Queensland Regional Plan

Queensland Innovation Places Strategy

DTMR Douglas Transport Study

2035 VALUE:

$4.4B

ECONOMIC OUTPUT FOR BUSINESSES

INCLUDING $1.7B DIRECTLY

$2.7B

GRP INCLUDING $1.2B DIRECTLY

21,261 FTE JOBS

$1.7B WAGES AND SALARIES