Advance Cairns Membership Prospectus 2023-24

fast facts

Located between two World Heritage-listed sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest – Tropical North Queensland is the hub of a diverse, innovative and fastgrowing economy which offers a quality of life appreciated by an increasing population.

More than simply a worldclass tourist destination, the region is fast becoming known for its expertise in the maritime and defence sector, tropical health, agriculture, marine science, construction and education.

As the fastest-growing peri-urban centre in Australia1, Cairns is well connected to the rest of the country with direct airline links both domestic and international.

Fast developing a global reputation for its ‘green’ credentials, over the past decade Cairns has undergone considerable diversification in its economy. With health and allied industries emerging strongly as the highest-growth and the largest-employing sector, this will likely account for up to one in three new jobs over the next five years. Construction, accommodation, food services, and education and training have also achieved significant growth as more key businesses and individuals recognise the outstanding benefits of investing, working and living in this extraordinary region.

155,638 CAIRNS CITY POPULATION

281,441 REGIONAL POPULATION

CITY HAS GROWN AN AVERAGE OF 1.37

EACH YEAR OVER THE PAST DECADE2

CAIRNS IS THE FOURTH LARGEST REGIONAL CITY IN QUEENSLAND AND THE EIGHTH LARGEST IN AUSTRALIA

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND BOASTS A $16.74B GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT3

15,041 HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE (13.4%)

12,300 CONSTRUCTION (11.0%)

% TOP 5 JOBS SECTORS 2020/21

10,450 AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING (9.3%)

These five industries accounted for 57,126 people, or 50.9% of the total TNQ regional workforce.

9751 ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICES (8.7%)

9584 EDUCATION & TRAINING (8.5%)

VALUE ADDED BY INDUSTRY SECTOR

HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

WHOLESALE TRADE

CONSTRUCTION

RENTAL, HIRING & REAL ESTATE +12.77% ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICES +12.48%

be heard

Cairns needs strong voices to guide our region to continued success and prosperity. Be part of the solution and have your voice heard by joining the region’s leading advocacy organisation.

Advance Cairns is the peak independent, bipartisan advocacy and economic development organisation for Tropical North Queensland, is business-funded and outcome driven with a long-term vision to build a robust future for the region.

Find more information www.advancecairns.com

call (61 7) 4080 2900

meet the team

OUR DIRECTORS

PATRONS

LIFE MEMBERS

Phil Growden, Director GM Queensland, Austal Australia

George Chapman AO Patron

Dr Clive Skarott AM Patron

Nick Trompf, Chair Principal, Tallangalook Shorthorns and Santa Gertrudis

Richard Barker, Director & Deputy Chair CEO, North Queensland Airports

Professor Simon Biggs, Director Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University

Chris Boland, Director (retiring) CEO, Ports North

Trent Twomey, Director and Past Chair Pharmacist and partner, Alive Pharmacy Warehouse

Mica Martin, Director CEO, Cairns Regional Council

Jodie Duignan-George, Director Associate Vice President FNQ, CQUniversity

Sharon Dawson, Director CEO, Dawsons Engineering

Richard Ireland OAM Inaugural Life Member

Jacinta Reddan CEO Business Operations

Russell Beer Life Member

Lt. Gen John Grey AC (Ret’d) Patron

Taylor Moy Government Relations and Policy Manager

About us

Advance Cairns is the peak independent advocacy and economic development organisation for Tropical North Queensland (TNQ). We are non-partisan and work beyond election cycles to deliver a strong and prosperous future for the region.

The Advance Cairns region covers 26 local government areas (LGAs) including Cairns Regional Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Flinders Shire, Aurukun Shire and the Gulf of Carpentaria. We serve a population of 285,000 people spanning 380,000km2 , slightly larger than the size of Japan.

Advance Cairns operates on a membership-based model and our stakeholders are committed to securing a legacy of prosperity for the region.

GREATBARRIERREEF

As a collaborative voice, members have the opportunity to actively influence the strategic direction of Advance Cairns and ultimately the future of TNQ.

We are an active member of many influential and independent networks and like-minded organisations across Australia and New Zealand to advance issues of national significance around population growth, sustainable economic development and social cohesion.

Cairns needs a strong advocacy group. We elected to throw our support behind Advance Cairns because they are across the regional issues, they maintain important stakeholder relationships and they get the importance of a healthy diversified regional economy. Ultimately it needs to be about marked change and the Cairns Marine Precinct is just one of many examples where we have achieved that with Advance Cairns.

- OLAV GROOT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NORSHIP

ADVANCE CAIRNS

our regional priorities

Advocating for Tropical North Queensland is the primary focus of Advance Cairns. In setting the advocacy agenda, we work collaboratively with our members and strategic partners to identify the catalysts needed to deliver a sustainable, resilient and prosperous TNQ economy. The resulting regional priorities fall into one of two categories, infrastructure or policy priorities, and form the basis of our agenda in engaging with politicians and government officials, both Federal and State.

INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES

Priority: Cairns Marine Precinct

Highlight: Delivery of federal/state funding to build the Common User Facility; Delivery of $16m state funding to expand the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College; $24m federal funding over two years for capacity increases to the city’s shipyards.

Priority: Far North Queensland Health and Innovation

Precinct

Highlight: State funding for detailed design and construction of Cairns Health and Innovation Centre plus land acquisition for acute clinical services building; progress planning for Health and Wellbeing Precinct. Delivery of state funding for the Cairns Surgical Centre.

Priority: Education & Research

Highlight: Delivery of $50m federal funding for new CQUniversity Cairns CBD campus; Delivery of $16m state funding to expand the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College; consideration for 40 of 80 additional CSPs JCU Medical School.

Priority: Food & Water Security

Highlight: State and Federal Governments finalise funding agreements with Cairns Regional Council, deliver shared $215m Cairns Water Security - Stage 1; state completes RWA Atherton Tablelands by mid-2023; $2.5m federal funding Etheridge Shire Irrigation Project; $7m from NWIDF business case North Johnstone River Diversion Scheme.

Priority: Northern Beaches Roads

Highlight: Shared funding for Captain Cook Highway ($359m) and Cairns Western Arterial Road ($300m) allocated over four years in State and Federal Budgets; master planning for both projects finalised by mid-2023.

Priority: Tablelands Access

Highlight: Delivery of $210m federal funding Kuranda Range Road, including $21m for business case into preferred alternative routes; State and Federal Governments work together to extend NLTN from Smithfield to Mareeba.

Priority: Inland Roads

Highlight: $398m state and federal funding over 10 years Gulf Savannah Way; $25m federal funding to complete upgrade Kennedy Developmental Road.

POLICY PRIORITIES

Priority: Regional Health Planning

Highlight: $6m federal funding palliative care hospice; $1.5m federal funding mental health initiatives; $2m federal funding local workforce strategies.

Priority: Superyacht Chartering

Highlight: Federal Government removes or extends for further five years the sunset clause in Special Recreational Vessels Act.

Priority: Pacific Engagement

Highlight: Operational headquarters in Cairns for DFAT Office of the Pacific; Cairns designated Australia’s northern hub for Step-Up to the Pacific.

Priority: Specialist Boat Building

Highlight: $8m joint funding for landslide supply chain resilience. That Cairns be recognised by the Federal Government as high priority alternative for specialist boat building; State and Federal Governments commit to working with Sea Swift to ensure their vessel upgrades occur in Cairns.

These regional priorities are being further refined as we advance policy develoment ahead of elections at all tiers of government.

ADVANCE CAIRNS

our members are business leaders from across the region

Our membership base is made up of a diverse range of leading business, academic and not-for-profit organisations from across TNQ.

Each member organisation nominates a senior executive(s) to act as their Advance Cairns representative, and these leaders form the core of our business network. Advance Cairns ensures members are well connected and informed on economic, business and public policy issues which impact the growth and prosperity of the region. Contact CEO Jacinta Reddan on 07 4080 2900 or admin@advancecairns.com to discuss the benefits of membership.

CURRENT MEMBER BREAKDOWN BY SECTOR

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & SUPPORT SERVICES

TRANSPORT, POSTAL & WAREHOUSING

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & FISHING

OTHER

MINING & RESOURCES

RETAIL & WHOLESALE TRADE

RENTAL, HIRING & REAL ESTATE

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL SERVICES

TOURISM, RECREATION, ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICES

EDUCATION & TRAINING

INFORMATION MEDIA & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

FINANCIAL & INSURANCE SERVICES

MANUFACTURING & CONSTRUCTION

get involved

Advance Cairns members comprise businesses committed to securing a legacy of prosperity, innovation and growth for the region. Through your membership, you will join these leaders in demonstrating a commitment to move beyond talk and into action. How you engage is ultimately up to you.

influence prosper

As a member of Advance Cairns, you can engage with our activities and build your connections with executive business leaders – and grow the profile of your organisation across the region.

Throughout the year, we host a number of events exclusively for members which feature high profile speakers and guests and can provide you with access to senior politicians and executive leaders of top tier Australian companies.

Each of our advocacy priorities are reviewed annually in collaboration with member representatives and with key regional partners such as Cairns Chamber of Commerce, RDA Tropical North, Superyachts Great Barrier Reef, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and local government.

Have your say in these reviews by engaging with our Board members, Advisory Council members and Executive team throughout the year. You can also nominate to sit on our member committees and Board of Directors. A range of members can nominate to directly influence policy at a political level by participating in major advocacy initiatives and ministerial roundtables.

Through your membership, you will help us drive government support for catalytic projects and vital policy change, using your voice to shape the region to secure a prosperous economy for TNQ.

membership levels

• Limited to 4 members

• Eligible for Board position

• Includes Advisory Council membership

• Invitations to member events

One (1) complimentary ticket to general member events

• Drive regional strategy

• Access signature events with senior politicians

• Profiled at one membership event per annum (option to present)

• Invitations to private meetings with senior politicians and officials

Pull-up banner / logo recognition on all communications and at all events

• Invitations to join delegations and trade missions

• Participation in key parliamentary visits

• Receive all communications

Use of Advance Cairns member logo

• Opportunity to host an Advance Cairns networking event (additional cost)

Opportunity to host ‘member to member’ roundtables

• Opportunity to be a key industry spokesperson / industry expert on relevant media issues

• Eligible to present to relevant national / international investors and government

• Opportunity to promote business to the Advance Cairns member database

• Voting rights at the AGM

• Limited to 8 members

• Eligible for Board nomination

• Includes Advisory Council membership

• Invitations to member events

• One (1) complimentary ticket to general member events

Drive regional strategy

• Access signature events with senior politicians

• Profiled at one membership event per annum (option to present)

• Invitations to private meetings with senior politicians and officials

• Invitations to join delegations and trade missions

• Participation in key parliamentary visits Receive all communications

• Use of Advance Cairns member logo

• Opportunity to host an Advance Cairns networking event (additional cost)

• Opportunity to host ‘member to member’ roundtables

Opportunity to be a key industry spokesperson / industry expert on relevant media issues

Eligible to present to relevant national / international investors and government

• Voting rights at the AGM

• Limited to 12 members

• Eligible for Board nomination

• Eligible for Advisory Council nominations

• Invitations to member events

• One (1) complimentary ticket to general member events

Contribute to regional strategy

• Invitations to private meetings with senior politicians and officials

• Invitations to join delegations and trade missions

• Receive all communications

• Use of Advance Cairns member logo

• Opportunity to host an Advance Cairns networking event (additional cost)

• Opportunity to host ‘member to member’ roundtables

• Opportunity to be a key industry spokesperson / industry expert on relevant media issues

• Voting rights at the AGM

• Eligible for Board nomination

Eligible for Advisory Council nominations

• Invitations to member events

• One (1) complimentary ticket to general member events

Invitations to join delegations and trade missions

• Receive all communications

• Use of Advance Cairns member logo

Opportunity to host ‘member to member’ roundtables

• Voting rights at the AGM

• Limited to 10 members

• Invitations to member events

• One (1) complimentary ticket to general member events

• Receive all communications

• Use of Advance Cairns member logo

Community Membership reserved for not-for-profit, community groups and social enterprises.

*Membership rates are inclusive of GST

creating a better future

GET INVOLVED AND HAVE YOUR SAY

To create a better future for the region, Advance Cairns uses thought leadership, vision, strategy, engagement and influence to strategically unlock economic potential for members to create a resilient and prosperous TNQ.

Make the most of your membership and have your say in shaping the region’s future by joining one of our member-driven working groups. Opportunities include our Advisory Council; Finance, Audit & Risk Mitigation Committee; and Membership & Events Sub-Committee.

Thank you to the following members who are actively engaged in building a stronger future for TNQ.

PATRONS

Dr Clive Skarott AM

Advance Cairns Patron

George Chapman AO

Advance Cairns Patron

Lt. Gen. John Grey AC (Ret’d)

Advance Cairns Patron

LIFE MEMBERS

Richard Ireland OAM Ireland’s Motor Group

Russell Beer MacDonnells Law

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nick Trompf Chair

Richard Barker Director & Deputy Chair

CEO, North Queensland Airports

Professor Simon Biggs Director

Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University

Chris Boland (retiring) Director

CEO, Ports North

Sharon Dawson Director

CEO, Dawsons Engineering

Jodie Duignan-George Director Associate Vice President FNQ, CQUniversity

Phil Growden Director GM Queensland, Austal

Mica Martin Director CEO, Cairns Regional Council

Trent Twomey Director & Past Chair Pharmacist & Partner, Alive Pharmacy Warehouse

ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Nick Trompf

Advance Cairns Chair & Council Chair

Richard Barker

Advance Cairns Director & Deputy Chair North Queensland Airports

Professor Simon Biggs

Advance Cairns Director James Cook University

Chris Boland (retiring) Advance Cairns Director Ports North

Stephanie Campbell Cairns Post

Leanne Bell TAFE Queensland

Brad Egerton MSF Sugar

Dwayne Freeman Sea Swift

Eva Grabner Elite Executive

Phil Growden Advance Cairns Director Austal

Richard Ireland OAM Ireland’s Motor Group

Colin MacKinnon Brilliant Technologies

James Mort MiHaven

Anne Pleash Mission Consulting Solutions

Rhiannon Saunders WGC Lawyers

Robert Tindall

Silica Resources Australia

Andrew Wagner Tropical Reef Shipyard

Ken Chapman (Observer)

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

George Chapman AO (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Jodie Duignan-George (Observer) Advance Cairns Director CQUniversity

Sonja Johnson (Observer) RDA Tropical North

Lt. Gen. John Grey AC Ret’d (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Mark Olsen (Observer)

Tourism Tropical North Queensland

Patricia O’Neill (Observer) Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Jacinta Reddan (Observer)

Advance Cairns CEO

Enver Selita (Observer)

Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Dr Clive Skarott AM (Observer)

Advance Cairns Patron

Trent Twomey (Observer)

Advance Cairns Director Alive Pharmacy Warehouse

FINANCE, AUDIT & RISK MITIGATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jodie Duignan-George

Advance Cairns Director & Committee Chair CQUniversity

Professor Simon Biggs

Advance Cairns Director James Cook University

Todd Kelly BDO

Sean Walsh Miller Harris Lawyers

MEMBERSHIP & EVENTS SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS

Leah Horstmann Committee Chair Tropic Now

Jeff Schrale ANZ

PLATINUM MEMBERS

EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

PREMIER MEMBERS

GENERAL & COMMUNITY MEMBERS

AAB Equipment

Access Community Housing

AFL Cairns

Air Freight Handling Services

Anglicare North Queensland

ANZ

Aurecon Australasia

Babinda Electrics

BDO

Big Cat Green Island

Brazier Motti

Cairns & Hinterland Hospital & Health Service

Cairns Aviation Skills Centre

Cairns Bank

Cairns Convention Centre

Cairns Private - Ramsay Health

Cairns Wholesale Paint

CaPTA Group

Catholic Education Cairns Diocese

CBRE

Chapman Group

Conus Business Consultants

Crystalbrook Collection

CSF Industries

Dawsons Engineering

Destination Cairns Marketing

Elite Executive

EMBECA

Energy Queensland

Entrada Travel Group

Experience Co.

FNQ Hospital Foundation

FGF Developments

Flinders Shire Council

Fomento Resources Australia

Fowler’s Group

GHD

Grant Thornton

Haz-Elec Industries Pty Ltd

HEH Civil Pty Ltd

Herron Todd White (Cairns) Pty Ltd

Hilton Hotel

Holding Redlich

Launch Y(E)P

MAC Farms Pty Ltd

MacDonnells Law

Maxitool

MiHaven

Miller Harris Lawyers

Mission Consulting Solutions

MSF Sugar

nbn Co

Pacifica Chartered Accountants

Peters Bosel Lawyers

Power & Data Support Services

PVW Partners

PwC Cairns

Queensland X-Ray

Rattle & Hum

Reef Hotel Casino

Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Ltd

SAFEGroup Automation

SBJ Joint Venture Pty Ltd

Selectability Cairns

Shangri-La Hotel

Skill360

SMC Marine

Tablelands Regional Council

Tallangalook Shorthorns & Santa Gertrudis

The Business Centre

Ten Years Younger / CareLynx

Terrain Natural Resource Management

The Benson Hotel

The Chambers

The Wallace Family

Trinity Anglican School

Tropic Group

Ventia

Watpac Construction

Westpac

WGC Lawyers Pty Ltd

OUR MEMBERS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR WORK AND WE ARE SINCERELY GRATEFUL FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT. Member list current as at June 2023.

Advance Cairns has been a great partner for JCU over many years. They are well connected and respected by key industry and government stakeholders and the advocacy work that they undertake on behalf of the whole region is invaluable. Most recently, Advance Cairns played a crucial role in successfully securing funding for the Cairns University Hospital.

David Craig Director Marketing,

Dr.

Future Students and Admissions, James Cook University