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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%)
HEALTH CARE & SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
WHOLESALE TRADE
CONSTRUCTION
RENTAL, HIRING & REAL ESTATE +12.77% ACCOMMODATION & FOOD SERVICES +12.48%
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
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.
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, NORSHIPAdvocating 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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
• 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
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.
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
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
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.