With a Federal election date announcement imminent, signalling the delivery of a Federal budget, Townsville Enterprise have again highlighted the region's key priority asks which would support the continued growth of Townsville North Queensland.
These funding requests need to be reflected at a national level to not only ensure the continued growth momentum of Townsville North Queensland, but also to leverage the city’s growing expertise in defence, onshore manufacturing, critical mineral refining, and renewable energy production in the nation’s bid to secure onshore sovereign capabilities.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith said the funding requests contained in the latest edition of Unlock the North, should be reflected at a national level to not only ensure the region’s continued growth momentum, but also to leverage the city’s growing expertise in onshore sovereign capabilities.
“As global supply chains become increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical shifts and environmental disruptions, Australia has begun to refocus efforts on securing critical industries within its own borders. Here in the North, this shift is well underway, making public investment into shovel-ready projects is all the more vital,” Ms Brumme-Smith said.
“We acknowledge and welcome the many cost-of-living crisis initiatives that are sure to dominate this budget, but we need to see commitment from both sides of politics on strategically important projects that will generate economic productivity long-term.”
“With a number of health initiatives already announced, and smaller cash hits on the cards, we seek firm backing from our Federal leaders on projects that will deliver for Australia for generations to come.”
With Townsville North Queensland’s resurgence in manufacturing and construction jobs (up +38 and +150% respectively over five years) the region is primed for Federal and State government investment, and co-funded commitments are becoming more important into the future.
“The most recent State and Federal joint announcement toward the Bruce Highway is evidence that when the state and national interests align, there can be significant progress made – and this is certainly true for our country’s largest upgrade to the electricity grid with the CopperString project.”
“The region’s project pipeline grew exponentially since the catalytic announcement of CopperString in 2023, and this project remains the single most important investment in this region to secure affordable power for business and for residents; giving certainty to our refineries, and mines and keeping North Queenslanders employed."
“Delivering Copperstring on time in 2029 between Mount Isa and Townsville remains our most important priority, and we need active support from our Federal and State leaders to ensure certainty for the North.”
“Any investment in productive infrastructure here in North Queensland will repay any government no matter what persuasion, long-term. The time for our fair share in is now.”
Key projects in the Federal Budget submission include:
- $450M expansion of the Port of Townsville. The Outer Harbour Development will increase defence and supply chain capabilities in the North and North West Queensland region necessary to unlock critical minerals deposits worth an estimated $740 billion, and support the development of over 25 GW of renewable energy projects as well as army landing craft capabilities.
- Housing remains the single most important hurdle to overcome in order to deliver on the region’s $42.2 billion project pipeline over the next decade. The Federal Government’s role in supporting housing can be achieved through quarantining 40% of the Housing Australia Future Fund and investing into enabling housing infrastructure to open more land for development.
- Continued pressure on the Federal government to ensure the redevelopment of the Aquarium and the overall precinct is delivered, including an additional pedestrian bridge and precinct connectivity still required.
For the full Unlock the North Budget asks and Election Priorities 2025, CLICK HERE
