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THE COMMITTEE FOR TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

2016 ELECTION PRIORITIES

Advance Cairns | 51 The Esplanade | Cairns QLD 4870 | p: +61 (0) 7 4080 2900 | e: admin@advancecairns.com | www.advancecairns.com

Cairns Defence & Marine SolutionHMAS Cairns, Queensland’s only naval base located in the Cairns Marine Precinct was developed as a naval ship repair facility at the outbreak of World War II. The Cairns Marine Precinct boasts a rich history in ship building and naval vessel maintenance and is home to the largest size and range of marine industry support activities across Northern Australia.

Cairns Innovation Centre

The Cairns Marine Precinct is private sector led and a vital component of Queensland’s and Australia’s Defence Capability. The Cairns Marine Precinct has not been privileged with investment of a similar scale made by Government in Darwin that directly impact on our competitiveness.

The Cairns Defence and Marine Solution could arrest a foreseen decline in employment, operating businesses and output of the regional marine sector and population.

A critical enabler for the success of the marine solution is the full implementation of the Cairns Shipping Development project.

The National Science and Innovation Agenda identifies that innovation is critical to improving Australia’s competitiveness. The Cairns Innovation Centre will firmly establish Tropical North Queensland as a smart, independent city leading a technology and start up culture in Northern Australia.

The Cairns Innovation Centre will be operated on commercial principles and will not require ongoing subsidy from Government. The Queensland State Government has committed $10M to the project.

Part of the $113m Innovation Bundle, the $50m Cairns Innovation Centre will be a critical infrastructure enabler in the translation of existing research capability to commercial products and processes.

Election Priority• We propose that the Federal Government commits $24 m towards infrastructure within

the Cairns Marine Precinct to support the growth of Australia’s marine industry, jobs and a secure future for Australian families.

• We propose the federal government brings forward the already allocated investment for HMAS Cairns of $420m to the decade 2016-2026.

• We propose the federal government commits to the home-porting of 6 Offshore Patrol Vessels at HMAS Cairns.

• We propose the federal government commits the $450m sustainment contract of the Pacific

Patrol Boats to Cairns.

Election Priority• We propose the Federal Government commits $10M to the construction of the Cairns

Innovation Centre.

Hann Highway

The sealing of the remaining 90 km of the Hann Highway will provide year round access between Northern Queensland and South Australia. The road saving two days of travel time between Cairns and Melbourne for the movement of freight, cattle and agricultural produce. The value of the reduced freight costs and supply chain efficiencies are critical to ensuring the growth and competiveness of our industries.

There is unequivocal regional support for the sealing of the last remaining sections of the Hann Highway.

The Northern Australia White Paper, released last year, announced a $600m Northern Australia Roads Package of which Hann Highway would be considered a priority project.

Cairns Performing Arts Centre

There is a critical need for regional cities like Cairns to provide quality arts and cultural facilities to retain and grow the regional population. The Cairns Regional Council is contributing $35 m to the construction of CPAC and is seeking further commitment from Federal Government.

As part of a major redevelopment of the inner city The Precinct the Cairns Regional Council is constructing a performing arts theatre complex the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC).

Election Priority• We request that federal government consults with the Queensland Government to provide

80% of the funding required to seal the Hann Highway and that the work is allocated to the Flinders and Etheridge Shires for the swift completion of the project.

Election Priority• We propose that the Federal Government commits $10 M to this regionally significant

project.

Election Priority• We propose that the Federal Government commits $1.3M towards the immediate launch of

the initiative and the global marketing campaign

• We propose that the Federal Government invests $300,000 towards the $900,000 Citizens Gateway GBR Artwork infrastructure. Matching commitments have been requested from Local and State Government.

Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef

The platform will promote global participation, conservation, education and tourism to benefit the Great Barrier Reef.

Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef (COGBR) is a global, social purpose community galvanised by the symbiotic relationship between education, conservation and tourism, empowering current and future generations of the world with the knowledge, experience and ability to protect and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef.

Nullinga Dam$5 m of Federal funding has been allocated by the Federal Government for a feasibility study of the Nullinga Dam that will ensure regional water security and drive the growth of the agricultural sector. The study is currently being administered by the Queensland Government. A positive feasibility outcome will require additional State and Federal capital expenditure as well as funding through the $2 B National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility or $5B Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

Ongoing Federal Commitments & Advocacy

Cairns AirportThe Master planning of the $1B redevelopment of the Cairns Airport has commenced. The development will firmly position the region to capitalise on global markets and economic demands.

The project will be subject to consideration and funding through the Federal Government’s $5 B Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.

National HighwayThe Bruce Highway is part of the National Highway is a critical linkage between Cairns and Queensland’s coastal cities. The Bruce Highway terminates in the Cairns CBD but does not extend to critical freight nodes including the Cairns Airport and the Atherton Tablelands. We propose that the National Highway is extended to the intersection of the Captain Cook and Kennedy Highway at Smithfield connecting with the Western Arterial forming the Cairns ring road.