2016 STATE BUDGET

PRIORITIES

Jobs & Growthfor our Regional People

THE COMMITTEE FOR TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

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

Cairns Innovation Centre

Part of James Cook University’s $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.

The Advance Queensland agenda aims to position Queensland as a place where entrepreneurs, industry, universities and government collaborate to turn ideas into commercial products and jobs. 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 Government has committed $10m to the project and a further $10m is being sought from the Commonwealth Government.

Bill Fulton Bridge

The Bill Fulton Bridge is a two-lane bridge on a four lane highway on the Western Arterial Road between Cairns and Redlynch.

Located at the intersection of multiple schools and a critical link between North and South Cairns, current traffic volumes on the Bill Fulton Bridge have reached 26,000 vehicles per day. The generally accepted threshold for a four-lane road is 16,000 vehicles per day. The expansion of the bridge is urgently required for road safety and the reduction of traffic congestion. The Bridge is an essential component in the development of the Cairns Ring Road, an 8+8 priority.

STATE PRIORITY: We welcome the $10m commitment made by the

Queensland Government to the Cairns Innovation Centre and encourage funding allocation in the 2016-17 Budget

for commencement of construction in 2017.

STATE PRIORITY: We propose the Queensland Government urgently

commits $35.7m to the delivery of the expansion of the Bill Fulton Bridge in the 2016-17 Budget.

STATE PRIORITY:We propose the Queensland Government commits

funding for 3 years to attract new direct Cairns – China services.

We propose the Queensland Government commits $3.25m for 3 years for a total investment of $9.75m to TTNQ for the

Mono Destination Campaign in the 2016-17 Budget.

Aviation Route Development

Regular direct international services from China into Cairns will grow total international visitor numbers by approximately 28,000 a year and contribute a direct impact of $43m to the regional economy per annum, creating 280 new jobs.

Cargo volumes of up to 20 tonnes per flight would have the potential to generate an annual freight export value of $127.9m per year.

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. The allocated funding is currently administered by the Queensland Government.

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. We have sought a Commonwealth Government commitment of $80m to the Hann Highway over 5 years.

Acceleration of Edmonton to Gordonvale Duplication

The $481m Edmonton to Gordonvale duplication is currently scheduled for delivery beyond 2018-19.

The Commonwealth Government in partnership with the Queensland Government has committed $8.5b to a 10-year Bruce Highway program. The Edmonton to Gordonvale duplication is critical to support the development of the Cairns City along the southern corridor. Existing planned development has already brought this roadway to capacity.

STATE PRIORITY: We propose that the Queensland Government commits $20m to the Hann Highway commencing 2016-17 over 5 years to the Flinders and Etheridge Shires for the swift

completion of the project.

STATE PRIORITY: We propose that the Queensland Government urgently

completes the planning of the project for construction to commence in 2016-17.

STATE PRIORITY: We urge the Queensland Government to continue its commitment to the UTP to ensure the region is

competitive in attracting industry and investment.

Uniform Tariff Policy

Regional Queensland, including Cairns and the Far North, currently suffers under unsustainable electricity costs which are detrimentally affecting the viability of regional industries and SMEs, as well as increasing cost of living pressures on urban/domestic consumers.

The Queensland Government provides annual funding of $650m to provide for tariff equalisation for Regional Queensland domestic users. We are seeking formal commitment from Government to maintain the electricity tariff equalisation subsidy to support population growth and stability The Uniform Tariff Policy (UTP) needs to be maintained to deliver equitable electricity pricing across the State into the future.

AquisThe $2b private sector funded integrated resort development at Yorkey’s Knob will create new investment opportunities, create more employment opportunities, stimulate the building and construction industry as well as improve education and training opportunities.

We welcome the Queensland Government’s commitment to expedite all approvals for land development and resolving the EIS issues to ensure that the Tropical North Queensland economy is able to grow.

Ongoing State Commitments & Advocacy

Cairns Shipping DevelopmentThe Cairns Shipping Development (CSD) Project is a critical enabler of the $1b Defence and Marine Solution that will offer immediate benefits for tourism, trade, defence and the marine industries. The CSD Project will improve port infrastructure including channel capacity to support and grow the cruise ship industry including the lucrative international cruise ship market and enable growth for HMAS Cairns with significant benefits for the economy.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) of the CSD Project has been delayed due to changes including the Commonwealth Government’s regulation on sea disposal as well as the Queensland Government’s Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015. With the EIS now due for completion in 2017 we request that there are no further delays to this priority project.

STATE PRIORITY: We propose that the Queensland Government invests $300,000 towards the $900,000 Citizens Gateway GBR Artwork infrastructure. Matching commitments have

been requested from Local and Commonwealth Government.

Citizens of 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.

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

STATE PRIORITY: We propose that the Queensland Government commits $15m to the Cairns Regional Council for this regionally

significant project.

The Precinct - Comprising The Cairns Performing Arts Centre and Munro Martin Parklands

As part of a major redevelopment of the inner city The Precinct comprising the Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) and Munro Martin Parklands is being constructed at a cost of $75m.

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 $45m to the construction of The Precinct and is seeking further commitment from the Queensland and Commonwealth Government.