Mayors across North Queensland travelled to Canberra on 2 February to discuss significant economic projects and opportunities presented in the Australian Government’s White Paper on Developing Northern Australia.

The Minister’s office advised that specific invites were sent to Chairs of Regional Organisations of Councils (ROC), and Bill Shannon Far North Queensland ROC and Mayor of Cassowary Coast Regional Council was was invited and represented our region.

Minister assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke is leading the delegation of Queensland Regional Organisation of Council (ROC) members to Canberra, to put the economic development of North Queensland at the top of the Federal Government’s agenda.

“The time is right for action in the north, and the Palaszczuk Government is doing all it can to ensure North Queensland receives its fair share of funding under the Federal Government’s White Paper,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“We recognise the important role local governments play in maintaining assets, and ensuring our communities are great places to live, work and do business, and together we are putting North Queensland front and centre in Canberra.”

The Minister and the Premier hosted a forum for North Queensland Mayors in Townsville in October last year, which identified regional priorities that could be pursued through the White Paper process.

Mayor Julia Leu attended the forum and was able to discuss Douglas Shire projects considered to be a priority for our region.

“The Port Douglas Reservoir was raised as a priority project by the Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC).

“I also raised Douglas Shire Council priorities with the Premier’s Department which included;

• Upgrading health facilities at Diwan
• Fixing boat ramp problems
• Water security
• Transport, water and tourism-related infrastructure such as Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail
• Renewable energy opportunities
• Continued support for tourism, events and the film industry
• Indigenous economic development opportunities
• Job diversification such as the Mossman aged care facility and opportunities with the digital economy
• Disaster Management - NDRRA funding, State contribution and other related issues such as importance of day labour
• Attention to issues such as domestic violence and support for Elders Justice groups

Last November the Minister and the Premier also hosted a Northern Queensland Economic Summit, which Mayor Leu attended together with a Council stall to promote economic development opportunities in the Douglas Shire.

“I had a deputation with the Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet to discuss several of the issues outlined above, in particular upgrading health facilities at Diwan, solving boat ramp problems, the Port Douglas reservoir and the Mossman aged care facility.

“The state Government is about to carry out further repairs to the boat ramp at Rocky Point and has since awarded $5 million to the Council towards the construction of the Port Douglas reservoir and more that $500,000 for enabling infrastructure for the proposed Mossman aged care facility.

“Council is still awaiting a response from the Health Department regarding proposed upgrades to health facilities to Diwan.

“Douglas Shire Council has been incredibly successful in obtaining significant funding from State and Federal Governments, securing much more than anyone anticipated, and has a number of applications pending,” said Mayor Leu.

Minister O’Rourke said the initiatives she and the Mayors will bring to the Federal Government stem from a series of economic roundtables she hosted across the state last year. The forums were attended by business leaders and key stakeholders who had a special interest in developing the north.

“We have been working closely with the business community, peak bodies, local governments and other regional stakeholders to identify where the best opportunities for economic development may lie,” she said.