Focus on low-hanging fruit Priority trio of projects built to fast-track development boost
TASKFORCE NQ has identified three priority projects that, with the support of the state and federal governments, could kickstart the region’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
The three projects are the expansion of the Ayr Industrial Estate, the development of a new advanced manufacturing hub at Calcium and a new rail freight line to the Port of Townsville.
Taskforce NQ chairwoman and Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said these were just three of a raft of projects that had been identified with the potential to deliver long-term employment opportunities and, in turn, economic prosperity for the region.
“This week’s release of the latest labour force statistics showing Australia’s unemployment rate had jumped to 7.1 per cent in May from 6.4 per cent in April, its highest level since October 2001, was troubling reading,” Cr Hill, who travelled to Brisbane this week to meet with State Government ministers and their departments, said.
“The taskforce is engaging with both the state and federal governments on infrastructure projects and policy initiatives that help North Queensland’s recovery from the devastating effects of COVID.
“You might describe these three projects as low-hanging fruit – projects that can easily drive economic development across North Queensland.”
The expansion of the Ayr Industrial Estate is being undertaken by the Burdekin Shire Council. It will see close to 50 additional lots added to the existing estate on the Bruce Highway north of Ayr in three stages.
The new manufacturing hub on the former Lansdown Station site in Calcium is being developed by Townsville City Council and will be established as an environmentally sustainable advanced manufacturing, processing and technology estate.
The $210 million Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor (TEARC) is an 8.3km rail freight line connecting the North Coast rail line directly to the Port of Townsville.
A Townsville City Deal project, TEARC’S construction would enhance access to the port for companies operating in the North West Minerals Province.
“The taskforce is also talking to government about taxation reform for regional businesses and ways to encourage companies with a FIFO workforce to source their workers from the regions instead of southern capitals,” Cr Hill said.
“The potential decentralisation of government agencies is also being explored, not just for the economic benefits it could deliver, but for the greater understanding of regional issues it will bring to decision-making in Canberra and Brisbane.”
Cr Hill said North Queensland’s innovative and bipartisan approach to the economic, social and health recovery from the coronavirus pandemic was getting noticed in the halls of power in Brisbane and Canberra.
“It’s great to have both state government MP and Minister Coralee O’rourke and federal government MP Phillip Thompson on the taskforce steering committee,” she said.