FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND REGIONAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY - covid19.qld.gov.au
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FAR NORTH
QUEENSLAND
REGIONAL ECONOMIC RECOVERY
covid19.qld.gov.au
A VISION FOR THE FUTURE Our vision for Queensland’s recovery Positioned on the doorstep of Asia, from this pandemic is threefold – we are the natural beauty of Far North working to protect the health of every Queensland draws millions of domestic Queenslander, we are creating jobs, and and international tourists each year. It we are working together to create the has abundant fertile agricultural land, conditions for future success. mineral wealth and natural resources, Our regions are the key to building and is rich in culture and heritage. Queensland’s economic recovery. It has In Far North Queensland, our investment taken a collaborative effort from every in manufacturing, training and transport region to shape our plan for the future. infrastructure will strengthen supply We will continue to partner – with chains and bolster the economy. governments, industries, businesses and communities – to navigate this new world for future growth. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
MESSAGE FROM MESSAGE FROM
THE PREMIER THE TREASURER
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP The Honourable Cameron Dick MP
This year has tested Queenslanders like no other. The rich culture and natural beauty of Far North Queensland
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone and communities bring tourists to its shores in droves. The diversity of the region
in Far North Queensland have not been immune to its effects. translates to a diversity of industries, with tourism, agriculture,
mining, health, education, marine, aviation and construction
Our response to COVID-19 has kept Queenslanders safe and driving the regional economy.
allowed our economic recovery to begin.
The people of Far North Queensland are resilient and used
My Government’s Economic Recovery Plan is all about protecting to dealing with natural disasters. We know the biosecurity
Queenslanders’ health, creating jobs and working together. measures put in place to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Importantly, this plan also recognises that growing our regions is a communities safe have been challenging.
key priority for Queensland and vital to our State’s future success. Our proactive approach to managing the pandemic in Queensland,
Our immediate commitment is to keep the region moving through means we can be optimistic about the future recovery of the region
extra support for businesses, workers and households – from – both economically and socially.
payroll tax relief to cost of living support. We know that travel restrictions mean the tourism industry will
Our recovery approach recognises that Far North Queensland is a continue to take a hit for the foreseeable future, so we need to
diverse region with a range of sectors contributing substantially reimagine our major industries to adapt to the new normal and
to the region’s economy, including tourism, mining, agriculture, prosper into the future.
education and construction. We are investing in the region, supporting new infrastructure and
While restoring growth in sectors such as these will be essential diversifying new and existing industries.
to future prosperity we also want to work with industry and the Innovating and revitalising local industries will provide Far North
community to take advantage of emerging opportunities to Queensland with the greatest opportunities for economic recovery.
innovate and create long-term sustainable jobs into the future.
The region’s world-renowned tourism industry, for example, has
Together we will support these traditional industries and enormous potential to revitalise offerings to attract visitors and
also invest in more industries, more infrastructure and more grow the sector.
businesses. This is all about more local jobs.
This Government continues to deliver $1.8 billion over four years in
I am so proud of the way Far North Queenslanders have stepped better roads and transport across the Far North. After completing
up in these tough times. the $276 million first stage of the Cape York Region Package, crews
From the frontline health workers in Cairns Hospital to local are now delivering another $237.5 million in works alongside a
business owners like Allen Ashby from AJ Roofing Solutions, who $480 million Bruce Highway upgrade between Edmonton and
has been able to employ two roofing tradies and an apprentice to Gordonvale, and the $164 million Smithfield Bypass.
support additional work generated by support for the household Helping the economy to flourish after COVID-19 requires us to think
resilience program to cyclone-proof local homes. ahead, unlocking local training opportunities and job creation.
My Government remains committed to not only supporting Far By playing to the region’s strengths, businesses and communities
North Queensland on the road to recovery but also making sure can focus on recovery, and Far North Queenslanders can know that
we position the region for future growth and job generating we will be on that journey with them.
opportunities.
SEPTEMBER 2020 3
SUPPORTING ECONOMIC
RECOVERY IN QUEENSLAND
In February 2020, Queensland implemented a swift and decisive response to
the growing crisis, announcing measures to assist business and industry with
resilience and recovery strategies, targeted financial support and counselling.
Over
$8 billion in recovery
measures
$5 billion Queensland Future Fund
to unlock surplus in the Defined Benefit Fund
and pay down debt
$3 billion Up
to $280M $500M
savings plan unlocked by councils Backing Queensland
for public works by
over 4 years refinancing loans at Business Investment
lower rates Fund
$145M $249M $500M
3 Renewable extension to $400M Renewable
tax relief for small and
Energy Zones medium businesses Energy Fund
4 SEPTEMBER 2020
OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE IN
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED MORE THAN
$8 BILLION TO SUPPORT COVID-19 HEALTH AND ECONOMIC
RECOVERY INITIATIVES ACROSS THE STATE. KEY STATEWIDE
INITIATIVES IN THE FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND REGION INCLUDE:
$90M $267M
building boost to support
$500M
in electricity and water bill
for jobs and skills, including
funding for the Back to Work, home owners, ‘tradies’ and relief for households and small
Skilling Queenslanders for Work the construction industry, businesses, including a $200
and Reef Assist programs including a $5,000 regional rebate for households, and a $500
home building grant rebate for eligible small business
and sole traders
Up
to $950M $400M
land tax relief for property
$1B
in road stimulus projects,
in payroll tax relief statewide,
including refunds and deferrals owners which must be passed accelerated funding to increase
for eligible businesses and onto tenants in the form of investment in roads and transport
tax exemption for JobKeeper rent relief infrastructure, including
payments, supporting 23,640 $400 million in Queensland
jobs in Far North Queensland Government funding for 42 projects
Initiatives in the Far North Queensland region include:
JOBS SUPPORT LOANS LOWER IRRIGATION PRICES FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
461 loans of up to $250, 000 FOR MAREEBA FARMERS TOURISM INDUSTRY
approved for Far North Queensland Mareeba farmers will benefit from a ECONOMIC RELIEF PACKAGE
businesses, totaling $66.6 million
$14.7 million statewide investment to $11.3 million to support cash flow
and supporting 4,949 jobs.
keep prices low for irrigators, reducing relief to help tourism and events
COVID-19 WORKS FOR annual water bills on average by $400 businesses to survive and revive.
for 2020-21.
QUEENSLAND
$36.7 million to Far North YEAR OF INDIGENOUS
Queensland councils for 108 REEF ASSIST TOURISM
maintenance and minor infrastructure $10 million to deliver priority $10 million Indigenous tourism fund
projects supporting 800 jobs. environmental projects and jobs extended into 2021 to help develop
in the State’s Great Barrier Reef the sector, and create opportunities
FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND catchments in partnership with local and jobs for Aboriginal and Torres
PORT SUPPORT PACKAGE governments. Creating up to 130
Strait Islander people.
$7.6 million to support port nature-based jobs and providing work
businesses across the Far North to for local contractors and suppliers.
provide relief for the region’s tourism,
resource and seafood sectors.
SEPTEMBER 2020 5
WHAT IS
CASE STUDY
THE LOCAL
CYCLONE PROOFING IMPACT OF
HOMES DELIVERS COVID-19?
JOBS FOR TRADIES
WHILE OUR RECOVERY IS
Cyclone-impacted communities in regional Queensland
have been experiencing a jobs boom through the
UNDERWAY, THE IMPACTS
Queensland Government’s Household Resilience IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
Program. HAVE BEEN FELT ACROSS
Queensland tradies are expanding their client base as MAJOR INDUSTRIES.
more Queenslanders are cyclone-proofing their homes.
The program, part of the Unite and Recover jobs
strategy, is fully subscribed, with funding flowing to
Regional events have been postponed
around 100 local businesses for 314 homes ahead of
or cancelled, with tourism operators and
this year’s cyclone season.
related businesses impacted across the
Previous rounds saw some homeowners save an peak season.
average of 8.5 per cent on their home insurance
premiums, with some saving up to 25 per cent.
Cairns businessman Allen Ashby, owner of A J Roofing The cultural arts industry has taken a hit
Solutions, said he was able to employ two roofing with closures to galleries and retail, with a
tradies and an apprentice as a result of the program. subsequent drop in sales.
“The Household Resilience Program has given me the
confidence to grow my business…without it I would not Disruptions to supply chains for
have been able to put on the apprentice,” Mr Ashby agriculture and seafood have impacted
said. profitability and sustainability, with some
“You can sense the trepidation out there and people’s industries seeing an oversupply of produce
reluctance to spend money particularly during and high value produce not gaining traction
COVID-19, but this program has given them the in the domestic market.
incentive as well as a helping hand.” The program is
part of the Queensland Government’s $8 billion Unite
Necessary biosecurity measures in
and Recover jobs strategy.
Indigenous communities have caused
disruptions to councils, businesses and
individuals, including contractors not
available to undertake construction
through the dry season.
The sudden and steep downturn in the
airline industry has had downstream
impacts on communities dependent on
air transport.
There was a 6.3 per cent downturn in
employee jobs in Far North Queensland
between 14 March and 11 July 2020.
6 SEPTEMBER 2020
NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
FOR FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
TARGETED INVESTMENTS WILL ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC RECOVERY
NEEDS OF THE FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND REGION. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER NEW JOBS, NEW
INFRASTRUCTURE AND REALISE NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.
Cairns Marine Enhancing Local Cairns Shipbuilding Transforming Cairns
Precinct to support Government Project to expand Hospital into a
regional economic biosecurity capacity and develop marine university hospital
diversification Thriving agriculture in regions workforce with research centre
The Queensland Government like Far North Queensland Shipbuilding could return to Queensland Health is investing
will invest $30 million is instrumental to economic Cairns with the Queensland $67.9 million to kickstart
to upgrade the Cairns recovery with primary industries Government leading a the transformation of Cairns
Marine Precinct and fund accounting for more than a business case to investigate Hospital into a university
a business case for the quarter of businesses across our the possibility of building hospital for the city, including
future development of the State’s rural and regional areas. vessels at the Cairns Marine $15 million to acquire land
Precinct. The new funding will To protect this essential sector, Precinct. The Cairns Reshoring for a research, education
deliver 150 new jobs during the Queensland Government is Shipbuilding Project business and innovation precinct, fully
construction, pay for upgrade providing grants of $450,000 case will investigate the integrated with the hospital.
of services and expand Cairns’ to boost the capability of local opportunity to re-establish Working in partnership with
capacity to carry out in-water government and regional a ship building industry in James Cook University, this
maintenance on vessels used communities to manage Cairns that can assist with the investment will provide better
by the Australian Defence invasive plants and invasive manufacture of commercial health care for the Far North and
Force and Border Force. The animals. vessels required for servicing also attract the future generation
Queensland Government As the northern gateway to the region. If it proves of health professionals to
is working with Ports North biosecurity risks, this support successful it could create up Cairns. The Cairns Hospital
to deliver this infrastructure for Far North Queensland will to 100 jobs over the next 10 will acquire an expanded
upgrade. expand on current programs, years. There is an existing emergency department and
Funding for a business case strengthen regional planning skilled-work force, contractor a new endoscopy suite and
will identify how Cairns and coordination, safeguard base and infrastructure operating theatre, helping to
can capitalise on future jobs and support partnerships within the Cairns Marine meet the health needs of a
opportunities to grow as a with local governments. Precinct which has a legacy growing and ageing population.
leading centre for large vessel of significant ship-building These upgrades will deliver
Funding will be provided across undertaken in the city over
repair work. The Precinct two years with a program world-class health facilities for
may require total capital many years. the region and support a further
coordinator based in northern
infrastructure expenditure Queensland and aims to employ 150 construction jobs to support
of up to $150 million and two regional coordinators our economic recovery.
future contributions from the including an Indigenous
Commonwealth Government coordinator to engage with
will be sought. Indigenous councils. SEPTEMBER 2020 7
INVESTING IN LOCAL CAPACITY
BOOSTING PROJECTS
PLANNING UNDERWAY
Queensland Renewable Energy Zones Cairns Aquarium
The Queensland Government will establish a $500 million
$3.5 million grant to Cairns Aquarium to help local tourism
Renewable Energy Fund for Government investments in commercial
renewable energy projects and supporting infrastructure, to be sustain and recover.
undertaken through the Government-owned energy corporations.
The Fund will complement the Government’s $145 million
commitment to establish three renewable energy zones across Far North Queensland Screen Production
northern, central and southern Queensland, and continue the
pace of Queensland’s transition to 50 per cent renewable energy Strategic Plan
generation by 2030. Since 2015, 41 large-scale renewable energy The Far North Queensland Screen Production Strategic Plan is boosting
projects have commenced operations, are under construction screen industry jobs, and has attracted ‘This Little Love of Mine” which
or are financially committed, representing around $7.8 billion in is currently filming in Cairns, creating 25 local jobs and injecting $1.5
investment and 6,500 construction jobs. million into the economy. By showcasing the stunning locations and
lifestyles of Far North Queensland the film will also stimulate tourism to
the region when it is released in 2021.
UNDERWAY DELIVERED
UNDERWAY
Cairns TAFE
$15 million has been committed to position the Cairns TAFE as the Cairns Hospital Mental Health
region’s main training hub with the campus being revitalised to Demolition and early works are underway as part of the $70
provide high-quality training facilities for a growing community. This million Cairns Hospital Mental Health Unit redevelopment.
project supports training pathways and the development of a skilled Construction on the 53-bed acute mental health facility is due to
workforce for the Far North Queensland region. commence in 2021 for opening in 2022.
8 SEPTEMBER 2020
UNDERWAY
Smithfield bypass
Works are continuing on the $164 million project to construct a bypass route on the Captain Cook Highway, providing vital infrastructure for
the northern beaches of Cairns and delivering a safer and more efficient travel route for motorists and industry.
Cairns South State Development Area
UNDERWAY
The Cairns South State Development Area (SDA) is designed to
provide land for regionally significant industrial development
to support future economic development, diversification of the
Cairns economy and job creation. The southern section of the
SDA will support future diversification plans for the Mulgrave Mill,
including industrial development that improves the sugar refining
process and increases opportunities for local trade employment.
DELIVERED
Cairns Pop-up Sporting Arena to
reactivate tourism during Cairns
Convention Centre redevelopment
The Department of Housing and Public Works, in collaboration
Peninsula Developmental Road (Cape
with Cairns Regional Council, recently transformed a former York Regional Package)
warehouse in the heart of Cairns into a temporary 2000-seat Work on the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) continues
arena for basketball and netball. This pop-up arena provided vital with the $237.5 million jointly funded Cape York Region Package
work for local tradies, employing 147 Cairns residents during that will seal more of the PDR, and open up new opportunities
development and has already secured three Super Netball games for Indigenous businesses. Stage 1, with $276 million in joint
– a first for Far North Queensland. funding, provided jobs for 321 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, with more than $42 million worth of work completed by
DELIVERED Indigenous-owned businesses.
SEPTEMBER 2020 9
10 Smithfield Bypass 13 Cairns Hospital Mental Health
$42.4 million in 2020-21 Unit
out of a $164 million total $3.8 million in 2020-21 out of a
GOVERNMENT spend to construct bypass
route continuity on the
$70 million total spend to construct
a new 53 bed mental health facility
INVESTMENT IN Captain Cook Highway
between McGregor Road
to replace the existing facility.
FAR NORTH roundabout and Caravonica
roundabout. Part of the
14 Cairns Convention Centre
expansion and refurbishment
QUEENSLAND
State Infrastructure Fund. $85 million in 2020-21 out of a
$176 million total spend towards
11 Cairns Western Arterial the refurbishment and expansion
Road, Harley Street of the Cairns Convention Centre
Intersection Upgrade to capitalise on the national and
$5.4 million in 2020-21 international convention markets.
1 Saibai Island new 5 Aurukun police facility out of a $17.1 million
Community Safety and upgrade total spend to upgrade the 15 Bruce Highway (Cairns Southern
Security Facility $2.9 million in 2020-21 out intersection on the Cairns Access Corridor Stage 4)
$8.7 million in 2020-21 out of a $6.7 million total spend Western Arterial Road at $30.4 million in 2020-21 out of a
of a $13.1 million total spend to upgrade the police facility Harley Street. Part of the $104.1 million total spend to widen
to complete the Community at Aurukun. State Infrastructure Fund. from four to six lanes on the Bruce
Safety and Security facility at Highway from Kate Street to Aumuller
Saibai Island. 6 Pormpuraaw replacement 12 Redlynch State College Street. Part of the Bruce Highway
police facility $7 million in 2020-21 Upgrade Program, delivered in
2 Mer (Murray) Island Building $6.1 million in 2020-21 out out of a $8.3 million total partnership with the Commonwealth
Replacement of a $8.2 million total spend spend to construct a new Government.
$580,000 in 2020-21 out to continue the replacement building containing two
of a $7 million total spend to of the police facility at general learning spaces and 16 Yorkeys Knob boat ramp
replace the Mer (Murray) Island Pormpuraaw. five specialist spaces. $11 million to build a new
Primary Health Care Centre to multi-lane boat ramp at Yorkeys
support the provision of quality 7 Peninsula Developmental Knob alongside 135 car trailer parks.
and safe services for current Road (Laura - Coen), This project will support 18 jobs
and future healthcare needs. Kennedy to Rocky Creek during construction.
$12.3 million in 2020-21 Daru
1
3 Thursday Island Community out of a $23.8 million 17 Sustainable Acid Sulphate Soils
Centre 2 infrastructure program
total spend to pave
$2.6 million in 2020-21 out and seal sections of the $1.8 million in 2020-21 out of a
of a $5.5 million total spend Peninsula Developmental Thursday $3.2 million total spend to manage
to design and construct a Road between Kennedy Island 3 4 impacts of Acid Sulphate Soils in
neighbourhood centre to and Rocky Creek. Part East Trinity Environmental Reserve.
support the Thursday Island of the Cape York Region
community. Package Stage 2 and 18 Mareeba Replacement Ambulance
Roads of Strategic Station
4 Horn Island Splash Park Importance initiative, $1.2 million in 2020-21 out of a
$2.4 million in 2020-21 out delivered in partnership $2.5 million total spend for planning
of a $3 million total spend to with the Commonwealth and construction of a replacement
build a splash park on Horn Government. ambulance station at Mareeba.
Lockhart
Island, contributing to positive
recreation activities and 8 Newell boat ramp (north 5 19 Bruce Highway (Cairns Southern
community connections for bank of Mossman River) Aurukun Access Corridor Stage 3)
families and young people. $2.4 million in 2020-21 Coen
$90.6 million in 2020-21 out
out of a $3.2 million total of a $481 million total spend to
spend to upgrade boat duplicate the Bruce Highway from
ramp at Newell Beach, 6 two to four lanes between Edmonton
north bank of Mossman 7 and Gordonvale. Part of the
River. Kowanyama Bruce Highway Upgrade Program,
SUNSHINE
Cooktown delivered in partnership with the
COAST AND
MORETON 9 Tropical North Learning Commonwealth Government.
BAY
Academy - Trinity Beach 8
FAR NORTH
QUEENSLAND IPSWICH BRISBANE State School 20 Atherton Community
$7.9 million in 2020-21 9 10 11 12 13 Cairns Centre
GOLD out of a $10 million 14 15 16 17 19 $1.9 million in 2020-21 out
LOGAN COAST 18
total spend to construct 20 of a $2.1 million total spend
TOWNSVILLE
a new multi-storey 21 to design and construct
MACKAY-WHITSUNDAY
general learning centre Mission a neighbourhood centre
CENTRAL
OUTBACK QUEENSLAND and renewal of the special Beach to support the Atherton
QUEENSLAND
WIDE BAY education unit. Part of the community.
DARLING
Renewing Our Schools
SOUTH EAST
DOWNS QUEENSLAND program.
10
$1,125M in Queensland Government capital investment in Far North
Queensland, supporting an estimated 3,900 jobs in 2020-2121 Kareeya Hydro Bridge
upgrade and other projects
$5.7 million in 2020-21
out of a $19.4 million total
spend to maintain existing
assets including upgrades to
CASE STUDY
the control system, upgrade
to turbines, network activity,
concreting, Tully River bridge
deck and access road. Part of
NORTH QUEENSLAND SAILING
the Renewable Energy Target
2030.
OPERATORS READY FOR
22 Arts and Cultural Recovery
Package
$15.4 million in 2020-21
TOURISTS TO RETURN
out of a $22.5 million total
spend to reactivate cultural and
creative spaces and provide
jobs for local artists and arts
workers bringing communities Port Douglas sail operators Steve and Katrina Edmondson would normally welcome
together and boosting cultural up to 25,000 tourists a year to the reef, 60 per cent of whom were international, but
tourism. restrictions due to COVID-19 meant their Sailaway luxury vessels are grounded.
23 Rural and Regional A COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan from the Queensland Government has helped pay
Infrastructure Package - on-going costs to keep the marine and eco-tourism operators of 17 years afloat
Torres Straits Primary Health until tourism can return to the Great Barrier Reef.
Care Centre Redevelopment
Project It has also helped to support 14 skilled staff, including skippers, marine biologists
$976,098 in 2020-21 out of and master reef guides.
a $3.5 million total spend for
upgrades to five Primary Health Mrs Edmondson said while the business was impacted from travel restrictions and
Care Centres at Yorke Island, not drawing an income, there were extensive on-going costs and refunds which had
Coconut Island, Stephen Island, to be paid.
Dauan Island and St Pauls
Community on Moa Island. “The impact has been extreme,” she said.
“Our priority was paying our staff entitlement and local suppliers.”
24 Wangetti Trail
$33.4 million for the Mrs Edmondson said the jobs support loan allowed the business to be ready for
construction of the $41.4 the next tourism season in Port Douglas.
million, 94 kilometre Wangetti
“The loan came as a really good lifeline and allowed us to have the cash in the bank
Trail. Delivering in partnership
with the Commonwealth to meet our commitments. It’s also assisting our cash flow to get us operating again.
Government. “We have been sailing, diving and snorkelling all our lives and it’s a privilege to share
Please note: Not all Government the excitement of the Great Barrier Reef with people from all parts of the world in a
expenditure for the region is shown.
Dollar amounts may include capital and safe environment.”
operating expenditure, though may not
represent the entire funding allocated.
SEPTEMBER 2020
KEY
Community wellbeing
Utilities
Health
Education
Transport and roads
Justice and safety
Government services
Recreation and culture
Statewide/region-wide
Election commitment
11"We don’t want to just bounce back
from this pandemic, we want to
move forward, stronger than ever."
Participant, Regional Recovery Workshop, June 2020
12 SEPTEMBER 2020POSITIONING FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND
FOR FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
IMPACTS OF THE GLOBAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE BEEN FELT
BY WORKERS, BUSINESSES, HOUSEHOLDS AND THE COMMUNITY
IN FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND, JUST AS IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR
STATE AND BEYOND.
As in other parts of our state and beyond, Far North Queensland The Far North Queensland Regional Community Forum also identified
has experienced significant impacts on employment, including in support for youth employment and renewable and sustainable
the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Queensland Government energy as priorities.
is providing timely support to cushion the adverse impacts. Infrastructure has already been boosted in the region through
Almost $66.6 million in Jobs Support Loans have been accessed $36.7 million COVID-19 Works for Queensland funding provided to
by more than 461 Far North Queensland businesses to help keep Far North Queensland councils for 108 maintenance projects.
Queenslanders in jobs. Small businesses in the region have also The future of health services in the region has been enhanced
benefited from a total of $15.7 million in Small Business Adaption with the Queensland Government commitment to planning for a
Grants, and a $4.8 million targeted campaign for the Tropical Far university hospital in Cairns. Queensland Health is investing
North and Gold Coast regions to increase the length of stay in the $67.9 million to kickstart the transformation of Cairns Hospital into
regions and maximise economic returns for the local industry. a university hospital for the city, plus an additional $15 million to
In addition, the government-owned corporation for the Port of acquire land for a research, education and innovation precinct, fully
Cairns (Ports North), has committed to provide over $7.6 million integrated with the hospital.
in marina fee and rent relief to local commercial tourism operators Regional recovery initiatives will support productive infrastructure
and port tenants as a direct response to the adverse impacts on to ensure efficient supply chains and support tourism, recreation
tourism of COVID-19. attractions and emerging industries. Initiatives include a
Far North Queensland’s outstanding reputation as a global tourism $3.5 million grant support to Cairns Aquarium to help local tourism
destination, its strong agriculture industry and economic strengths sustain and recover.
in marine, aviation, resources and manufacturing, positions the The Queensland Government is capitalising on emerging defence
region well to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic as national and marine industry opportunities by contributing $30 million to
and international travel restrictions are eased. The longer-term upgrades at the Cairns Marine Precinct, including $2 million towards
outlook will be influenced by travellers’ and international student business case development, supporting around 150 jobs. The
confidence in management of the pandemic, demand for business case will consider broader development of the precinct
agricultural and resources exports, and workforce capacity. This and expand Cairns’ capacity to carry out in-water maintenance on
makes it important to maintain the region’s reputation as a safe Australian Defence Force and Border Force marine vessels. The
travel destination and to secure investment opportunities that Cairns Reshoring Shipbuilding Project business case will also
support continued growth in economic diversity in the region. investigate the opportunity to re-establish a ship building industry
The Queensland Government has worked with stakeholders to in Cairns that can assist with the manufacture of commercial vessels
identify strategic opportunities in the region. Throughout the required for servicing the region. This project would bring new jobs to
regional recovery forums and workshops, Far North Queensland the city, potentially creating 100 jobs over the next 10 years.
has demonstrated commitment to collaboration and bringing As part of the effort to protect the agriculture sector, the Queensland
everyone, including their most vulnerable, on the journey towards Government is also investing $450,000 in grant funding to boost the
a diverse and inclusive recovery. capability of local government and regional communities to manage
Through consultation, region-building infrastructure such as invasive plants and animals.
ports, health, energy, water security, and cultural, tourism and For Far North Queensland to recover we need to continue to work
international education facilities have been identified as key in partnership. The Queensland Government will continue to work
opportunities for public and private sector investment. These with regional leaders to reflect stakeholder ambitions for the region.
initiatives can enhance business opportunities and exports, and Recovery requires a long-term commitment from all partners and
with community infrastructure, further enhancing liveability. working together will play a key role in securing a strong recovery
in the months and years ahead. This will ensure that Far North
Queensland builds back better.
SEPTEMBER 2020 13CASE STUDY
NEW BARGE RAMP BRIDGES
REMOTE COMMUNITIES
One of the most remote barge ramps in work was able to continue during the COVID-19
Queensland is now complete and in use by Cape lockdown.
York communities despite COVID-19 restrictions, The ramp was an initiative of the Queensland
thanks to an investment from the Queensland Government and Ministerial Champions and was
Government. funded and project managed by the Department of
On the southern side of the Archer River near State Development, Tourism and Innovation with a
Aurukun, the ramp is seven hours by road from contribution from the Department of Transport and
Aurukun but only two hours by water. Main Roads.
The new Archer River Barge Ramp gives Six local Indigenous workers were employed at
the people of Aurukun access to traditional the site and a local Indigenous group supplied
Homelands, enabling them to get back on rock and gravel for the works as well as hiring
country for cultural and recreational purposes. out equipment. This allowed the benefits of
As most of the contractors were local to the construction to remain within the community.
Aurukun Shire and the surrounding country,
14 SEPTEMBER 2020© The State of Queensland 2020 Attribution
Content from Far North Queensland Economic Recovery should be
Copyright attributed to: © The State of Queensland, Far North Queensland Economic
This publication is protected by the Copyright Act 1968 Recovery.
Licence Translating and interpreting assistance
This document is licensed by the State of Queensland under a The Queensland Government is committed to providing accessible
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) International licence. services to Queenslanders from all cultural and linguistic
backgrounds. If you have difficulty in understanding this publication,
you can contact us on telephone (07) 3035 3503 and we will arrange
an interpreter to effectively communicate the report to you.
In essence, you are free to copy, communicate and adapt this Find our report online
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visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/For more information about the Queensland Government's
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