Townsville North Queensland Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan

Townsville North Queensland Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan

Townsville Enterprise pays its deepest respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land in Australia, and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture.

We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and commit to fostering a culture of learning from and working with First Nations peoples in the spirit of reconciliation and access to justice.

The Townsville North Queensland region encompasses five major regional centres: Townsville, Charters Towers, Burdekin, Palm Island and Hinchinbrook.

The Townsville North Queensland region contributes over $17.1 billion annually to the Queensland economy and is home to nearly 240,000 people. The region has one of the most diverse economic bases in Australia and enjoys a stunning natural environment, providing tourism growth opportunities and an attractive lifestyle for its residents.

Over the last three years, the region has navigated its way through the impacts of the global pandemic with strong and robust economic growth.

Global geopolitics, natural disasters, and economic cycles have pushed inflation into the public consciousness for the first time in a decade. Nationwide trends toward full employment and a lack of affordable housing are compounding some inflationary issues, however, North Queensland’s strong jobs market and highly affordable real estate market make the region well-placed to weather these challenges.

The economic diversity and strategic location of North Queensland means we are well-placed for future growth. The region boasts agriculture strengths in the Burdekin and Hinchinbrook, high-value mining and mineral hubs for renewable energy to the west from Charters Towers and beyond, and the country’s the third largest breeding ground for cattle.

Additionally, Townsville, as the largest city in Northern Australia is home to

the nation’s largest Defence base, the epicentre of world-class research, science and emerging technology, and services 80% of Northern Australia’s population with general cargo through the Port of Townsville.

The region is a major health service and research hub for Northern Queensland. Townsville University Hospital is the largest tertiary referral hospital in regional Queensland and is the major teaching hospital for James Cook University and TAFE Queensland North. Mater Private Hospital Townsville is North Queensland’s centre for state-of-the-art surgical technology with two new surgical robots to deliver world-class health services.

North Queensland has been recognised for its globally significant potential as a green hydrogen and green industrial production hub. Projects such as CopperString will connect world-leading renewable energy zones to the national grid, and provide affordable and reliable energy to the North West Minerals Province.

The global movement towards reducing carbon emissions has resulted in greater scrutiny being placed on supply chain emissions. Demand is growing for low or zero emissions mineral products and we are well placed to establish high value supply chains to customers around the world.

Our region has all of the ingredients needed to provide global markets with the solutions to the climate crisis and to lead the green energy revolution for Australia. We are looking to combine government support and the contribution of our industry to continue to make this a reality for our region.

As the peak economic development organisation, it is Townsville Enterprise’s role is to tell the

story of the linkages across North Queensland’s assets and what the opportunities can be for our region, our state, and the country when these strengths are leveraged. With targeted support, we have the capacity to deliver the jobs, sovereignty, and economic prosperity critical to Queensland and Australia’s recovery and future resilience.

Enabling private investment will allow the North to continue to play a leading role in the nation’s economic development. With our competitive advantages in green energy, critical minerals, tropical marine expertise and the Pacific development opportunities, our region is destined for growth.

Townsville Enterprise, together with the regional councils and its members, are making a strong case for targeted investment and policy support to ensure the North can continue to play a leading role in driving the nation’s recovery and future resilience.

The Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan combines the insights from our key industries to identify the actions required to realise this vision for our future.

As the first industry-led Regional Industy Growth Plan for our region, Townsville Enterprise’s Economic Development Strategic Advisory Committee (EDSAC) will monitor and uphold the actions outlined in this plan and support our local industries to continue this upward trajectory for greater economic growth in our region.

Townsville Enterprise, the North Queensland Regional Councils, and the North Queensland business community are focused and committed to securing the future of Townsville North Queensland.

Kevin Gill Chairman of Townsville Enterprise

Claudia Brumme-Smith CEO of Townsville Enterprise

About the Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan

Townsville Enterprise Limited (TEL) is North Queensland’s Regional Economic Development Organisation and Destination Management Organisation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future economy of the Townsville North Queensland region.

To deliver this objective, TEL has consulted with a number of stakeholders, including the region’s leading economic development bodies Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone (MITEZ), Regional Development Australia, Townsville Chamber of Commerce and the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC).

TEL engaged locally-founded economics firm AEC Group Pty Ltd to develop a Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan that focuses on:

1.

Understanding the region’s competitive advantages through profiling its natural resources, existing infrastructure, economic specialisation, industry trends and macro-economic trends.

2.

Exploring future economic opportunities within the region, based on a thorough appreciation of the local impacts of current global megatrends and State and Federal government priorities.

3.

Identifying the infrastructure, policy change, private investment and regional promotion required to enable the Townsville North Queensland region to realise its economic potential.

TEL acknowledges and thanks AEC for its contribution to this strategy, particularly in relation to provision of data for regional profiles and background research that has informed the assessment of the macro-economic trends and the development of economic, labour force and population forecasts for the Townsville North Queensland region.

Special thanks to all industry and government representatives included below who provided valuable input into the Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan.

2. Copper

3. Lead

$6.3B

Regional Competitive Advantage

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST CITY

AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST SUGAR PRODUCER AND DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

NEW ECONOMY MINERALS PROCESSING AND EXPORT

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DESTINATION

MAJOR HEALTH CARE SERVICES HUB

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST GARRISON CITY

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA’S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HUB

AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST LIVE EXPORT PORT

LEADING GREEN HYDROGEN EXPORT CLUSTER

METAL MANUFACTURING HUB

MAJOR SPORTS AND EVENTS HUB

Townsville City

Townsville city is the largest city in Northern Australia and is the commercial hub for the North Queensland region servicing a diverse range of industries.

The city is home to zinc and copper refineries and other mineral processing hubs. Due to it’s proximity to Asian markets, the Port of Townsville is a critical enabler for trade flowing in and out of North Queensland. In addition to a strong industry base, Townsville is also the largest Garrison city in Australia and home to over one third of the Army’s combat forces.

Townsville is a leading healthcare services provider, with three major hospitals and another under construction.

Townsville University Hospital is the largest tertiary referral hospital in regional Queensland and is the largest single employer in the Townsville Local Government Area.

Research and education are critical industries for the region, with two universities, vocational education providers and the headquarters for the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Located in Queensland’s dry tropics, Townsville is on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage listed national parks.

GRP $14.2B GRP GROWTH (21/22) 2.4%

Burdekin Shire

Located in the delta of the Burdekin River, with its two popular townships of Ayr and Home Hill - connected by the iconically historic Burdekin Bridge - the Burdekin offers fantastic fishing, magnificent wetlands, beautiful birdlife and miles of unspoilt beaches to explore. With an established history of the production of sugar, the

2022 POPULATION

16,890

Burdekin region is embracing innovative ideas, crops and products in its endeavour to sustain and grow a vibrant and connected community.

GRP $1.4B

GRP GROWTH (21/22) 7.5%

Source: AEC (2023)

Charters Towers

Ingham Ayr

Magnetic Island

Palm Island

Home Hill

KEY GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

HIGH VALUE AGRICULTURE

AQUACULTURE

FOOD VALUE ADDING AGED CARE

GREEN ENERGY GENERATION

BIO-ECONOMY INDUSTRIES

Charters Towers Region

Just 90 minutes south-west of Townsville lies Charters Towers, a rural town located in the Charters Towers region. In the late 19th century, the town boomed as the rich gold deposits under the city were explored. Its unique positioning west of the great dividing range, is seen as an economic competitive advantage as the town and its surrounding region are minimally impacted from natural disasters that frequent the North Queensland Coast.

The region is home to the Burdekin Falls Dam on lake Dalrymple, which is the largest dam in Queensland; and at full capacity holds four times the volume of the Sydney Harbour. This provides significant economic opportunities for the Charters Towers region.

12,004

GRP

(21/22) 3.0%

2022 POPULATION

GRP $673M

GROWTH

Townsville

Charters Towers

Ingham

Magnetic Island

Palm Island

Hinchinbrook Shire

With an abundance of natural beauty and diversity, from tropical beaches to rainforests, islands to reefs, waterfalls and lush bird filled wetlands, Hinchinbrook is renowned for nature based tourism and marine recreational activity. Agriculture is the dominant industry within the Shire with an extensive area under accredited sugar cane cultivation. Emerging new industries include aquaculture, renewable

2022 POPULATION

11,090

energy and bio futures. Lucinda is also the gateway to Hinchinbrook Island - Australia’s largest national park island.

GRP $756M

GRP GROWTH (21/22) 7.3%

Source: AEC (2023)

Ingham

Palm Island

Hinchinbrook Island

Lucinda

Palm Island

Palm Island, also known as Great Palm Island, or by the Aboriginal name Bwgcolman, is the largest of 12 tropical Islands in the Palm Island Group. The group of islands is less than 20 kilometres from the nearest point on the mainland (Lucinda) and is 65 kilometres north of Townsville over sea. Palm Island is the largest discrete

Indigenous community in Australia with approximately 2,197 in residence. There is high mobility between Palm Island and the mainland, and the population can increase to over 5,000 people during festivals and events.

2,197

GRP GROWTH (21/22) 11.3%

2022 POPULATION

GRP $133M

Townsville

Ingham

Palm Island

Source: AEC (2022)

Macro-economic Influences

Key Macro-economic influences impacting the region:

Developing Northern Australia

Global Net Zero

Defence and Regional Security

Growth in Regional Tourism

Technology Change and Innovation

2032 Queensland Olympics

Workforce

Developing Northern Australia

As the largest city in Northern Australia, Townsville and the N orth Queensland region has the potential to be at the forefront of A ustralia’s future economic growth through developing enabling infrastructure that supports the growth and development of traditional and emerging industries.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Water Resources Population Growth Supply Chain Infrastructure

North Queensland is home to two of the largest water catchments in Northern Australia – the Burdekin and Herbert catchments. Both catchments have considerable water resources that can be sustainably developed to support new agricultural and industrial activity as well as an increasing population. Further investment in new and improved water infrastructure will increase overall efficiency and security of supply to the region.

In addition to the natural water resources, Townsville’s growing domestic demand could provide the recycled water required for commercial scale renewable hydrogen production.

Supporting water infrastructure developments and appropriate resource planning (including water trading) would enable considerable economic development opportunities across the region.

Overcoming skill shortages is essential to ensuring continued economic growth in North Queensland.

Nearly all business – both small and large – are struggling to find workers to keep their operations running and grow their business. Failing to attract and retain the right workforce for North Queensland represents a serious threat to the future growth potential of the region.

This challenge can be overcome with the attraction of international workers and (through the Designated Area Migration Agreement – DAMA), southern workers to the region’s growing economy, engaging underutilised members of the labour force (Indigenous, disabled, disadvantaged) as well as provide training and skilling opportunities for existing workforce. Increasing the diversity of high-quality employment opportunities will be key to the regions ability to attract interstate and international workers.

The Port of Townsville is a major enabler for trade flowing in and out of the region. The Port is currently undergoing a channel expansion which will allow larger ships. This ensures that along with close proximity to export markets, the Port is well-placed to continue to support growth into new and emerging industries looking to export their products.

Cost of energy and lack of supporting infrastructure has repeatedly been identified as a major constraint for renewable energy and critical mineral projects for the North West Queensland region. The Queensland Governments commitment to fund Copperstring and construct a 1,100km transmission line from Townsville to Mount Isa will ensure that North Queensland is the epicentre for renewables manufacturing, minerals processing and hydrogen during the clean energy industrial revolution.

Liveable Communities

To support demand for a large future labour force and to encourage investment in the region, policy and social infrastructure investment is required to successfully improve livability within the region.

Developing liveable communities means improving access to ‘capital city’ amenities such as allied health and aged care services, essential community infrastructure such as public transport and cultural/arts facilities, high quality parks and public spaces, as well as ensuring cost of living pressures (such as home insurance) are comparable to southern cities.

Global Decarbonisation

Australia has shown a bipartisan commitment to a Net Zero emiss ions target by 2050. Current plans focus on driving down renewable technolo gy costs and accelerating their deployment across Australia.

North Queensland is uniquely placed to build on its strengths a nd proposed developments to become a green energy powerhouse.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Renewable Energy Generation and Storage

In the Australian Energy Market Operator Draft 2023 Inputs, Assumptions and Scenarios Report, North Queensland was found to contain up to 33 GW high-quality large-scale renewable energy resources including wind, solar, hydro and bio-energy cogeneration that are largely underdeveloped.

Attracting investment into upcoming large-scale renewable energy projects will enable the region to generate its own renewable energy to increase supply chain resilience and reach a net zero emission future by 2050.

Developing local manufacturing capabilities in battery manufacturing and energy storage, will tighten supply chains and ensure that the region has all the requirements to become a green energy hub.

Green Hydrogen Industry Development

As a renewable, zero emissions energy source, hydrogen has the potential to fully decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors of the economy like steel manufacturing. Producing green hydrogen requires access to large-scale renewable energy generation and a reliable supply of water. A viable hydrogen export industry also requires a capable export port.

Transgrid’s ‘Energy Vision’ Report has found that North Queensland is home to the highest quality of natural wind, solar and hydro resources in the country. The region also possesses the water storage required to support a growing hydrogen industry, with 2,000GL currently available, and capacity to grow to 4,100GL in the future.

As a result, North Queensland stands out as a clear leader for the production and export of renewable hydrogen.

New Economy Minerals Decarbonising North Queensland

The transition to renewable energy worldwide provides opportunities to identify, extract and manufacture new economy minerals within the region, such as copper, silver, cobalt, vanadium and nickel.

Developing the local supply of minerals required in renewable energy technology, electronics and battery technology is essential for Australia’s and other global economies Net Zero targets. Local manufacturing capabilities are also amplified with the growth of the new economy minerals. Green manufacturing and mining is an emerging trend that will grow as more companies look to decarbonise their supply chains.

As Australia transitions to a Net Zero emissions by 2050, Townsville and North Queensland need to identify how it can reach this goal without causing economic dislocation within existing emissions intensive industries, such as livestock and metals manufacturing.

Developing a North Queensland Net Zero strategy will enable new investment in low emissions and abatement technologies in the region. The construction of Copperstring will connect new solar and wind projects in the North West into North Queensland’s energy grid and will unlock Australia’s largest renewable energy zone and critical mineral hub.

Defence and Regional Security

North Queensland is uniquely positioned on the doorstep of the Southwest Pacific as Australia’s natural theatre gateway for engagement, deployment, training and possible military operations.

Joint Forces Training Amphibious Capability Army Aviation

North Queensland is home to several training ranges (such as the Townsville Field Training Area and Greenvale Field Training Areas), and is uniquely placed to support and facilitate joint forces training with Australia’s security partners.

The Australia-Singapore Military Training Initiative could be replicated for countries such as Japan, the USA and UK, who have recently signed enhanced training cooperation and security agreements.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is continuing to increase amphibious capability with Townsville-based 2nd Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR).

However, 2RAR is limited in its capacity to deploy at short notice, as the Royal Australian Navy amphibious craft (HMA Ships Canberra, Adelaide and Choules) are all headquartered at Fleet Base East in Sydney – 2.5 days away.

A key recommendation made was centralising army aviation in Townsville, as currently the army aviation regiments are located in Darwin, Sydney and Brisbane. This is not based upon capability or operational need and severely limits the opportunities for economies of scale and operational enhancement achieved by the Air Force through colocating all aspects of capability as a Force Element Group (FEG).

The establishment of a standalone aviation command centre provides an opportunity for the consolidated command to be located at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base in Townsville, adjacent to Lavarack Barracks (Army’s 3rd Brigade) and within close proximity to Army’s new training areas.

In addition to aviation command, Townsville is an ideal location for the basing of Army’s new 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters, alongside the existing 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville. Developing an Army aviation deep maintenance capability in Townsville will also eliminate wasted flying hours and costs associated with the repositioning of aircraft for servicing.

It will also benefit the region by providing the operational capability to retain a skilled Reserve workforce and build supply chain capability.

Local Munitions Manufacturing

A strategic priority of the AUKUS security partnership is the development of a sovereign munitions manufacturing capability in Australia, principally focused on precision guided munitions, hypersonic weapons, and integrated air and missile defence systems. The ADF are prioritising domestic industries with the ability to manufacture, maintain and test selected precision guided munitions, including: air and ship launched missiles, surface to surface missiles and guided bombs. Leveraging the region’s industrial land, manufacturing expertise and experience in safe munitions management (with Army’s 3rd Brigade and field training areas), Townsville and North Queensland is an ideal location for local munitions manufacturing and stockpiling.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Growth in Regional Tourism

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Growth in the visitor economy and maximising visitor spend will require a focused effort on delivering new and enhanced tourism products and experiences which are distinctive to the region, deliver commercial benefit and create a driver for visitation. The focus areas for product and experience development include:

• Eco and regenerative tourism experiences on Magnetic Island

• Enhanced accommodation offerings

• Nature based initiatives such as walking trails, reef operators and mountain biking

• Cruise ready tours and attractions

• Indigenous tourism

• Arts infrastructure, such as a regional art gallery and a concert hall

• Educational tourism experiences

• Enabling infrastructure to support tourism investment such as boardwalks, transport facilities etc.

Townsville has demonstrated significant successes in the establishment and staging of major sporting, arts, and cultural events over many years. More recently the introduction of dedicated events and training venues such as the Queensland Country Bank Stadium, high performance centre of excellence and upgrades to the Townsville sports reserve, has placed Townsville in a prime position to be the regional events capital of Northern Australia.

Business travel accounts for approximately 30% of overnight visitation in the Townsville region. There is an opportunity to leverage its diverse industrial base in health, marine science, agriculture, metals mining and manufacturing and Defence to position Townsville as a leader in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibition (MICE) tourism– a $4 billion market in Australia.

Developing this market will require investment in a dedicated exhibition hall for the region.

Townsville’s aviation connectivity plays a fundamental role in growing the region’s tourism, business, investment, and liveability opportunities. With a strong portfolio of aviation routes and airline options available, Townsville North Queensland has an opportunity to supercharge the region’s growth and become a competitive city for tourism and doing business.

The vision for Townsville’s aviation strategy is to offer enhanced, sustainable, and affordable aviation connectivity.

Prior to COVID-19 Townsville was experiencing growth in the cruise sector, with a record 16 vessels and 20,000 passengers in 2019. The Port of Townsville is currently expanding, with a $232 million channel upgrade project underway and providing opportunities to accommodate vessels of up to 300m. Cruise attraction provides an opportunity to grow the Townsville tourism industry, particularly during low and shoulder season periods.

Consumer research undertaken by Townsville Enterprise and Tourism and Events Queensland demonstrates that the region’s greatest challenge in realising our full visitor economy potential is low destination awareness and perceived lack of holiday allure. A new tourism brand for the destination has never been more critical to ensure that our desired growth can be not only realised but sustained for the years ahead.

Campaign activity undertaken by Townsville Enterprise continues to demonstrate that investment into the destination market will drive outcomes and conversion for the industry. Tourism has become more competitive than ever before and to grow the visitor economy, increased and sustainable funding models need to be considered.

As the largest business hub in Northern Australia and a key acc ess point to the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, Wet Tropics Rainforest, as well as Australia’s northern outback, the region has considerable potential to grow its tourism offering.

TEXAS LONGHORN TOURS - CHARTERS TOWERS

Technological Change

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Townsville North Queensland’s exposure to major Defence, mining, health and agricultural sectors provides a unique opportunity to lead the development, test and evaluation of new technologies in these sectors. Projects like NQ Spark, which encompasses Defence, emergency services, health and disaster management capability as well as providing an experimentation centre for research, development and human performance.

The tropical marine technology test range at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) ReefWorks also provides a unique test and evaluation capability for Australia’s emerging marine robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence technologies.

Developing ‘centres of excellence’ in key industries of North Queensland such as mining, agriculture, transport and aviation maintenance will enable a collaborative research/industry/start-up centres of gravity within industries that support future technology development and deployment. A successful example is the Resource Centre of Excellence in Mackay.

North Queensland has seen significant government investment in TAFE

Queensland’s Bohle Training Facilites. Construction is underway for the development of the hydrogen and renewable energy training facility and the Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. These facilities are expected to be completed by 2023-2024.

Townsville North Queensland’s expertise in marine research provides an opportunity to support commercialisation and even manufacturing of marine bio-economy technology.

Investment and deployment of projects such as the CoralAUV (that has the ability to undertake highly accurate paths to provide 3D mapping of the reef to allow for year-on-year tracking to inform reef management and reef restoration initiatives) could provide considerable economic development opportunities to the region.

Attracting investment in the marine technology innovation ecosystem will support the region is becoming an innovation leader in autonomous vehicles and robots.

As one of the most significant technological advancements in recent years, Artificial Intelligent (AI) is set to increasingly disrupt the way industries and businesses operate.

AI is becoming increasingly capable of automating the mundane and repetitive tasks. The agricultural industry is predicted to be heavily impacted by new developments in AI and automation, delivering efficiencies in farming, farm management and aquaculture. Additionally the Health and Social Assistance industry will also be strongly impacted as the rise of automation grants workers with greater capacity to perform higher-level responsibilities.

The growth of AI and automation will improve upon the region’s productivity, however future workforce planning should be undertaken to adequately prepare.

Continuous innovation in key industrial areas such as Defence, agriculture, mining and marine industries allows for a step change in productivity and new jobs supporting system automation, drones, sensors and robotics.

Testing

IMAGE CREDIT MATER HOSPITAL TOWNSVILLE

2032 Queensland Olympics

Queensland will host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Gam es with an investment of $4.5 billion funded by the Queensland and Austral ian Government into the sports venues and required infrastructure that will need to be constructed across Queensland.

Hosting International Teams (Pre-games Training)

Providing Olympic nations with access to the world class Cowboys Community, Training and High-Performance Centre as well as investment for the Northern Australia Centre for Excellence in Women’s Sport will enhance the city’s image and provide additional economic benefit from the Games.

The Cowboys Community, Training and High-Performance Centre provides services including medical sports consulting and rehabilitation facilities up to Olympic standards. Because of this, the region is in a prime position to entice nations to pre-games training in North Queensland.

Townsville has a proven record of hosting sporting event such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games Basketball, 2021 State of Origin, 2022 Rugby Games and the Rugby Sevens.

Upgrading current local supporting facilities to world-class facilities in order to attract preliminary events and pregames training to cater for events such as football, rugby, futsal, field hockey, basketball, sailing, athletics, road cycling, swimming, and triathlon.

Upgrades to these facilities will attract events and nations to use local facilities to boost North Queensland’s impact on the games and provide local supporting groups and professional sporting clubs with world-class infrastructure. Leaving a legacy for regional Queensland after the games have finished and providing the opportunity for growth and participation in grass roots sporting.

Completed construction of the 25,000 seat Queensland Country Bank Stadium enables the city to support and host preliminary sporting events within the Olympics such as football and rugby.

The 2032 Olympics has been coined as the Olympics for all of Queensland. This provides an opportunity for Townsville to play post to preliminary events which are suited to our current infrastructure offering.

Townsville has been earmarked to host events such as the preliminary and quarterfinal matches for football, however, the region also has the facilities to host other events in the North Queensland region.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM IMAGE CREDIT MATT TAYLOR

Population Growth

With a strong pipeline of projects, it’s imperative that the re gion both retains and attracts new residents to meet the growing labour demand.

With close proximity to world-leading health and university cam puses as well as training and education providers, the region possesses the necessary basic infrastructure to qualify and upskill our existing workforce.

Along with meeting the demands of a growing population, the region needs to consider the increasingly aging population that is on track to almost double in number by 2036.

Failure to provide adequate services to this demographic will r esult in residents moving closer towards metropolitan areas with access to reliable care and health services.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND

Skills & Qualifications Aged-Friendly Communities Housing Immigration

Supporting North Queensland’s education institutions in expanding existing programs into new and emerging sectors and advanced technologies (minerals exploration, automation robotics, artificial intelligence, simulation and visualisation) will ensure that the future workforce has the necessary skills to drive this economic shift. Supporting qualifications in the renewable energy and hydrogen sectors will be a critical step in the regions journey towards becoming a green energy powerhouse.

It is also important to maximise the communities engagement with state-of-the-art training facilities such as Pimlico TAFE, Bohle Trade Training Centre, Charters Towers Trade Training Centre.

Supporting North Queensland’s aging population requires investment in the necessary infrastructure and services to develop agedfriendly communities. Delivering services and infrastructure targeted at aged communities will support population retention and growth, driving economic activity in the region.

North Queensland is in the midst of a housing shortage that is severely impacting the regions ability to attract and retain workers.

The region is currently looking towards new housing opportunities such as Buildto-Rent model that will vastly increase the housing stock available. Additionally, these premium housing models will increase the regions liveability and improve surrounding amenities (particularly in the CBD).

As the population projections figures in the next chapter will demonstrate, immigration is necessary to fill the gap of natural growth projections in order to facilitate economic growth outcomes.

In 2022, Townsville Enterprise entered into a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) with the Commonwealth Government. It provides businesses who have exhausted local recruitment options access to overseas workers, providing a flexibility and responsiveness not available through the standard skilled migration programs.

Regional Growth Drivers

As part of the Strategic Regional Industry Growth Plan, AEC has developed economic projections for:

Gross Regional Product Labour Force Population

Future Growth: Gross Regional Product (GRP)

In developing the region’s economic projections, AEC developed two separate forecasts.

1. Status quo: assumes the economy will continue to grow in line with historic population and productivity growth

2. Successful future: assumes a number of catalytic infrastructure investments are made in the region, driving considerable additional economic activity

240,758 Population 380,692 Population (1.6% annual growth) 614,020 Population (3.2% annual growth)

Where we are:

North Queensland has a $17.1 billion economy (20/21 estimate) primarily driven by public administration and safety (principally Defence), health care and social assistance, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.

Since 2011, the regions economy growth rate has been slower than state economy growth rate.

Where we need to be:

To realise a successful future, North Queensland needs to capitalise the future economic forces of change effecting the region particularly around agricultural production and renewable energy (notably hydrogen).

DRIVERS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH:

Over the next 30 years, Construction, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Manufacturing, and Health Care and Social Services will see the biggest increases in its proportional contribution to North Queensland’s GRP. Although Defence, Retail Trade and Professional Services contribute a significant portion to North Queensland’s GRP, future modeling shows that the region will become less reliant on these traditional industry sectors as newer industries emerge and develop.

The five largest industries by 2049-50 will be:

Public Administration and Safety (Defence) $5.2 Billion

Health Care and Social Assistance $5.1 Billion

Manufacturing $3.9 Billion

Construction $3.2 Billion

Agriculture $2.9 Billion

Future Growth: Labour force

Where we are:

North Queensland’s current labour force is concentrated in service and primary industries, including retail trade, school education, healthcare services and construction services.

The region’s unemployment rate has been declining and reached 2.2% in February 2023, below the state unemployment rate of 3.7%.

Where we need to be:

North Queensland must address its skill shortages and domestic labour force losses.

Over the next 10 years, the region will require an additional 47,824 persons in the labour force to meet the demands of the regional economy. Of this demand, only 11,173 (23%) are expected to come from natural population increase – the balance of 36,651 will need to come from migration.

Growth Opportunity: Renewable Hydrogen

North Queensland has been identified as a ‘Green Hydrogen’ export hub, with already significant private and government investment into early stage hydrogen production facilities. Education providers such as TAFE Queensland are expanding their campuses to accommodate the predicted growth in enrollments in this emerging industry.

It is expected that there will be 1,133 operational and 701 construction jobs by 2030. By 2040 it is expected that the construction jobs will taper off, with 2,444 full-time operational jobs forcast in Townsville.

DRIVERS OF LABOUR FORCE GROWTH:

Over the next 30 years, North Queensland will need a significant increase in its Labour Force requiring an additional 102,201 persons by 2050 above status quo projections to support future projects and industries. By 2050, the proportion of healthcare workers will increase from 16% to 21% of the workforce. Agriculture, manufacturing and accommodation and food services are also expected to increase in importance. Defence and retail trade, while still significant to the economy, will make up a smaller portion of the workforce in 2049-50.

The industries with strongest employment growth by 2049 - 50 will be:

Future Growth: Population

Where we are:

The estimated residential population of North Queensland is 238,813 persons with 82.4% living in Townsville.

Townsville is the fastest growing Local Government Area (LGA) in the region at 1.1% per annum however, is still lagging behind the state growth rate of 1.6% per annum.

Where we need to be:

North Queensland is expected to reach a total population of 442,330 by 2040, driven by continued employment growth in the region.

To reach these population targets, considerable investment in residential construction will be required – both in new housing developments, high-rise apartments in the Townsville CBD and revitalising regional towns.

Greater investment in regional transport infrastructure will also be required to resolve existing public transport blackspots and to increase reliability.

DRIVERS OF POPULATION GROWTH:

North Queensland currently has negative domestic migration and positive international migration and is losing on average 1,200 persons per year in domestic out migration. Although this number has slowed since COVID-19, the region is still facing a net loss for migration.

Future population growth will rely heavily on international migrants coming to the region for work. By 2049-50, 78% of

the population growth will come from migration with just 22% from natural population increases. To address this net loss in migration, opportunities in emerging industries and a growth in demand for highly-skilled will assist in driving more people to North Queensland.

SUCCESSFUL FUTURE POPULATION IN NORTH QUEENSLAND

NEW DWELLINGS REQUIRED FOR GROWTH

Source: AEC (2022)

Requirements for Growth

This plan has been developed with local industries at the forefront, to guide the vision for the future of North Queensland, Townsville Enterprise led several industry roundtables to create industry-led plans and actions that bridge the gap between Federal, State and Local Government’s corporate plans and to identify the drivers for economic growth and development for the North Queensland region. These discussions resulted in a clear view of the current business enablers, barriers and opportunities faced by the respective industries.

INDEX

Townsville Enterprise Limited

North Queensland Hydrogen Consortium

Port of Townsville

Townsville City Council

Burdekin Shire Council

Charters Towers Regional Council

Hinchinbrook Shire Council

North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Industry

Australian Institute of Marine Science

James Cook University

Queensland Airports Limited

Townsville Airport

TAFE Queensland

Townsville Hospital and Health Service Government

The following timelines are intended to be used as a guideline only, dates for planned projects may be subject to change.

AGRICULTURE & WATER ENERGY

MINING & RESOURCES

TOURISM

DEFENCE

HEALTH, EDUCATION & AGED CARE

WORKFORCE & LIVEABILITY

A timeline of actions has been developed for each of the sectors below

Action plan for Renewables & Hydrogen

The North Queensland energy industry is undergoing a massive transformation. The regions potential as a renewable energy and green hydrogen hub is attracting international attention, as other major economies across the world seek out affordable and secure supply of clean energy.

ROLL OUT OF THE NORTH QUEENSLAND HYDROGEN CONSORTIUM $70M FUNDING

LEAD NQH2

TIMEFRAME 2023-2026

Distribution of State and Federal $70M of funding to hydrogen production project in the region.

HYDROGEN PROCUREMENT DATABASE

LEAD NQH2 TIMEFRAME 2023

Develop a hydrogen procurement database that connects local hydrogen suppliers and producers.

TAFE HYDROGEN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TRAINING FACILITY

LEAD TAFE TIMEFRAME 2024

Expected completion of the Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Training Facility at the TAFE Bohle Trade Training Centre in Townsville.

COPPERSTRING 2032

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2024-2030

Construction expected to commence on 1,100 km transmission line which will extend from Townsville to Mount Isa.

SUN HQ HYDROGEN

HUB LEAD IND

IND

TIMEFRAME 2023

The SunHQ Hydrogen project will involve the installation of a 1MW PEM electrolyser co-located at the Townsville Sun Metals Refinery.

MARKETING NORTH QUEENSLAND FOR GREEN ENERGY

LEAD NQH2

TIMEFRAME Ongoing

Positioning North Queensland as a worldleading green energy producer and exporter through targeted marketing campaign.

ACTIONS

• Develop marketing materials to be shared across TEL/NQH2 social channels

• Host community information sessions to increase awareness.

HYDROGEN MASTERPLAN

LEAD NQH2

TIMEFRAME 2024

NQH2 to release common user infrastructure Masterplan for the whole of the hydrogen ecosystem and supply chain in our region. The masterplan will provide a staged plan for all common user infrastructure required for export and domestic supply of hydrogen. This will include inputs (water and power), output infrastructure (pipelines and storage) and export infrastructure.

ACTIONS

• Release tender for masterplan

• Continue to advocate on the importance for common use infrastructure for Hydrogen Masterplanning.

2023 2024

LOCAL ELECTION

GOV

STRENGTHS

• Resilient region and workforce, efficient supply chain and skills base for disruption recovery

• Diverse energy and commodity resources

• Access to world-leading education providers to upskill future labour force

BIOFUELS OPPORTUNITY

LEAD NQH2/IND/GOV

TIMEFRAME 2024

Investigation of biofuels as part of renewable energy transition.

ACTIONS

• Develop investment collateral for biofuel industry.

HYDROGEN COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

LEAD NQH2

TIMEFRAME 2024

Utilise data and analytics to gauge community acceptance towards hydrogen projects.

COMPLETION OF LANSDOWN ECOINDUSTRIAL PRECINCT

LEAD TCC

TIMEFRAME 2024

Expected completion of site infrastructure at Lansdown

Eco-Industrial Precinct.

CHALLENGES

• High construction costs and difficulty with financing infrastructure with long asset life

• Government and regulatory requirements pose a risk for foreign investment attraction

• Attraction and retention of skilled labour

PUMPED HYDRO BUSINESS CASE

LEAD TEL

TIMEFRAME 2025

Develop business case for the Hells Gates Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Scheme.

NQ SUPERHUB

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2027

Commencement of Prairie Windfarm, project is expected to produce power by 2027. This is the first project included as part of the North Queensland SuperHub which is being developed by Fortescue Future Industries.

COMPLETION OF EDIFY ENERGY’S GREEN HYDROGEN PROJECT

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2026

Expected completion of Edify Energy’s Green Hydrogen Pilot Project.

Action plan for Mining & Resources

The mining industry has been identified as a significant growth industry over the past three years. Mining support services and exploration is expected to prosper with increased commercial and investment interest in the North West Minerals Province.

2023

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA CRITICAL MINERALS AND METALS INSTITUTE

LEAD JCU

TIMEFRAME 2023

This centre will be an industry-led, JCU housed Teaching and Research Centre in support of the Northern Australian critical minerals and metals activities. It would directly support the exploration, mining, production, and delivery of key base inputs into technology, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

SAINT ELMO MINE

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Demonstration plant construction and operation expected to commence.

TOWNSVILLE EASTERN ACCESS RAIL CORRIDOR (TEARC)

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2024

Revisting business case for Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor.

INVESTIGATE BATTERY MANUFACTURING & PRODUCTION

LEAD GOV/IND

TIMEFRAME 2023

Assess regional capability for commercial-scale battery manufacturing and production.

QUEENSLAND BATTERY INDUSTRY STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

LEAD QLD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2023

Release and implementation of the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy.

ADVOCATE FOR MASTERPLAN FOR NORTH WEST MINERALS PROVINCE

LEAD TEL

TIMEFRAME 2024

Advocate for funding to develop masterplanning for North West Minerals Province. Identify critical infrastructure gaps and demand for common user facilities.

ACTIONS

• Release tender opportunities for masterplanning strategy

• Engage with stakeholders to identify common use infrastructure that will enable the industry to grow.

GREEN STEEL OPPORTUNITY

LEAD TEL/IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Investigate the feasibility of green steel for industry capacity and demand analysis.

ACTIONS

• Support and advocate for green steel projects that come through TEL’s investment bureau.

LOCAL ELECTION

STRENGTHS

• Location and proximity to export markets

• Existing infrastructure

• Community acceptance and the social licence to operate

• Proximity to North-West Minerals Province

MULTIPLE LEADS

CHALLENGES

• High costs of capital and competition of cheaper offshore processing facilities

• Competing with other industries for skilled staff

• Lack of common-user infrastructure

• Government and regulatory requirements

SUN METALS GREEN ZINC

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2025

Australia’s largest zinc refinery will be producing 100% green zinc by 2025.

QPM CONSTRUCTION COMMENCES

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Construction to commence on QPM (Queensland Pacific Metals) TECH Project (Townsville Energy Chemical Hub) located at Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct.

FIRST EXPORT OF PHOSPHATE

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2025

Expected first export of Chatham Rock Phosphate and North West Phosphate through the Port of Townsville.

RICHMOND-JULIA CREEK VANADIUM PROJECT

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Construction expected to start on Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project.

VECCO VANADIUM

BATTERY ELECTROLYTE MANUFACTURING PLANT

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Vanadium Battery Manufacturing Facility is expected to commence production of vanadium flow batteries.

COMMON USER

VANADIUM

AND RARE

EARTH PROCESSING

GOV

PLANT COMPLETION

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2025

Expected completion of the Queensland Government’s $75M critical mineral processing plant.

Action plan for Defence

Townsville North Queensland is one of Australia’s prime strategic Defence regions and is competitively placed to become a leading location for various training initiatives. With an ever-evolving geo-political landscape, Townsville’s strategic importance is now more critical than ever before.

CENTRALISE ARMY AVIATION CAPABILITY

LEAD GOV/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2023

Concentrate aircraft, maintenance and logistics in Townsville by offering operational enhancements and costs savings.

DEFENCE STRATEGIC REVIEW

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2023

Review of the nation’s defence force posture, force structure and capabilities.

RESPONSE TO DEFENCE REVIEW

LEAD POT/IND/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2023

North Queensland’s response to the Defence Strategic Review highlighting the regions capabilities as the forward mounting base in Northern Australia, Army Watercraft, tri-service capability, allied fleets, speed of deployment.

PORT CHANNEL WIDENING COMPLETION

LEAD POT

TIMEFRAME 2024

MUNITIONS & MISSILE PRODUCTION

LEAD GOV/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2024

Investigate the region’s capability for munitions and missile production to increase the supply chain resilience and support local manufacturing.

MAINTENANCE FOR APACHE HELICOPTERS

LEAD GOV/IND TIMEFRAME 2024

Establish a maintenance centre for Apache helicopters in Townsville.

ACTIONS

• Advocate to federal government about the economic and social benefits for establishing a maintenance hub in the region.

• Co-ordinate with local suppliers and stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts.

BIO-FUELS FOR MILITARY

LEAD GOV/TEL

GOV

TIMEFRAME 2024

Investigate the feasibility of bio-fuels for use in military grade equipment and transportation.

ACTIONS

• Investigate bio-fuel producers for potential supply to military

• Connect suppliers with Defence industry

• Advocate for sustainable, secure fuel.

STRENGTHS

• Established Defence base and amphibious units

• Strong community acceptance and support

• Strategic importance of region

• Large cohort of ex-defence personnel available to regional workforce

• Existing infrastructure

• Land access for future transformational industry projects

LAVARACK BARRACKS REFURBISHMENT

LEADS

• Not an established defence service industry in the region

• No major local defence contract companies in the region

• Gaps in existing maintenance/systems/processes

LEAD GOV, IND

TIMEFRAME 2025

Upgrades to the Lavarack Barracks as part of the HoustonSmith Defence Strategic Review.

RAAF BASE

LEAD GOV, IND

Multi-billion dollar upgrade for Townsvilles airbase as a result of the Houston-Smith Review.

AUTONOMOUS INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

LEAD AIMS/GOV

TIMEFRAME 2026

Enhance capabilities for autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) – or self-driving boats –as a safe and costeffective method of marine monitoring.

ASMTI COMPLETED COMMITTED IN PROGRESS MULTIPLE

PORT EXPANSION

LEAD POT/GOV

GOV GOV IND

TIMEFRAME 2025

The project comprises channel widening (currently underway), land reclamation, and the development of a new outer harbour, wharves, and associated infrastructure.

NQ SPARK OPENING

LEAD TCC

TIMEFRAME 2025

NQ Spark will be northern Australia’s first collaborative industry hub focused on developing defence and research capability. The project will bring together the regional science, Defence, health and knowledge expertise in Townsville to create an advanced environmental simulation facility and technologyorientated collaborative precinct.

DEFENCE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

LEAD GOV/IND

TIMEFRAME 2026

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2027

Australian

GOV IND GOV IND 47

CHALLENGES

Action plan for Agriculture & Water

Townsville North Queensland Agriculture industry is well-established, with strengths across sugar, beef, fruit, aquaculture, fisheries and vegetable production. With an abundance of irrigated land and plenty of untapped cropping potential, the region is on the brink of future growth and export potential from this sector.

COMPLETION OF HINCHINBROOK MACRO-ALGAE BIOREMEDIATION FACILITY

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2024

BURDEKIN WATER PLAN REVIEW

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2023

Reviewing water allocation and identifying water efficiency improvements.

SECURE INVESTMENT FOR JCU TROPICAL AQUACULTURE ACCELERATOR

LEAD JCU/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2023

JCU and TEL to continue to advocate for funding through Unlock the North State Delegations.

Expected completion date for the construction of a 4.5 hectare bioremediation facility in Hinchinbrook.

COMPLETION OF PALM ISLAND MACRO-ALGAE BIOREMEDIATION FACILITY

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2024

Expected completion date for the construction of a 1.1 hectare bioremediation facility on Palm Island.

LEAD TEL/GOV

TIMEFRAME 2023

Working group established to assist the Government with long-term water security planning in the Burdekin region.

ACTIONS

• Incorporate recommendations into TEL’s advocacy.

COMPLETION OF BURDEKIN MACRO-ALGAE BIOREMEDIATION FACILITY

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2023

Expected completion date for the construction of a 4.0 hectare bioremediation facility at the Ayr/ Brandon Wastewater Treatment Plant.

ADVOCACY ON LOWER BURDEKIN RIVER ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM

LEAD TEL/IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Continue to advocate for Hells Gates Dam Funding for EIS, Cultural Heritage and stakeholder engagement.

INVESTIGATE MACRO-ALGAE FARMING OPPORTUNITIES

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2024

BURDEKIN FALLS DAM SAFETY UPGRADE

LEAD GOV/IND

TIMEFRAME 2024

Construction to begin on safety upgrades on the Burdekin Falls Dam wall.

LOWER BURDEKIN WORKING GROUP

STRENGTHS

• Excellent natural resources (weather, soil quality, location)

• Proximity to major export markets

• Diversity of export economy

• Diversity of agricultural products

• Professional and other service economy

TIMELINE OF AGRICULTURE INFRASTRUCTURE

LEAD GOV/IND

TIMEFRAME 2025

Develop a roadmap of timelines for completion of essential agriculture infrastructure.

INVESTIGATE AGRICULTURE TECH

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2025

In association with Hells Gates Dam.

INVESTIGATE DIVERSIFIED CROPPING

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME Q1 2024/2025

ROLLOUT OF BURDEKIN FOOD PRODUCT INNOVATION CLUSTER

LEAD BSC

TIMEFRAME 2025

INVESTIGATE ONSHORE SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE

LEAD BSC

TIMEFRAME 2025

MULTIPLE LEADS

CHALLENGES

• Industry-based skills gap

• General workforce shortages

• Accomodation services to support workforce

AQUACULTURE ACCELERATOR OPPORTUNITIES

LEAD IND/JCU

TIMEFRAME 2026

VALUEADDING FOR BEEF PROCESSING

LEAD IND/BSC

TIMEFRAME 2026

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FOR AGRICULTURE TO ASIA

LEAD IND/GOV/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2026

Action plan for Tourism

Townsville North Queensland’s tourism and events industry supports more than 4,000 local jobs and despite impacts from flooding and COVID-19, the regions diversified visitor economy has weathered storms and is seeing areas of growth.

MAGNETIC ISLAND

TOURISM MASTERPLAN

LEAD TEL/IND/GOV/TCC TIMEFRAME 2023

ACTIONS

• Establishment of the Magnetic Island Tourism Alliance

• Delivery on actions with the tourism masterplan.

INSURANCE

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2023

Advocacy for affordable property and industry public liability insurance.

AIRPORT ADVOCACY

LEAD QAL TIMEFRAME 2023

Legislative changes to allow common departure area for international and domestic terminal.

ACTIONS

• Actions outlined in the Aviation Strategy.

VISITOR SERVICES STRATEGY

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2023

Dedicated visitor information services which focus on providing a positive welcoming experience to visitors as well as offering operators commercial benefit.

ACTIONS

• Investigate and implement enhanced visitor services aligned to future tourism developments.

• Rollout of Mobile Visitor Information Centre.

TOURISM STRATEGY

LEAD TEL/NQROC TIMEFRAME 2023

Five year tourism strategy to grow overnight visitor expenditure and increase market share to align with 2032 Queensland Tourism Action Plan.

MARKETING & BRAND DELIVERY

LEAD TEL/NQROC TIMEFRAME Ongoing

Launch of new tourism brand which drives increased destination awareness and brand equity.

ACTIONS

• Implementation through Always On marketing strategy into key growth markets.

IND OPERATOR TRADE READINESS

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2024

Increase operator participation in trade programs and their exposure through targeted national and international trade delegations (eg: Australian Tourism Exchange) and campaigns.

CRUISE & EDUTOURISM

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2023-2024

Development of strategies for key visitor markets such as cruise and educational tourism/study abroad.

TARGETED BUSINESS EVENT STRATEGY

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2024

Update Business Events Strategy

Opportunity for Business Events to be identified and a dedicated and updated strategy developed to attract new business events to the region.

HOTEL ACCOMMODATION DEVELOPMENT

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2024

Advocate and attract investment for the development of additional accommodation options in the region.

SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MODEL

LEAD IND/GOV/TCC TIMEFRAME 2024

Advocate for the implementation of a model sustainable funding for destination marketing, tourism development and event attraction.

STRENGTHS

• Recent investment in tourism infrastructure and experiences such as Reef HQ, The Ville, MOUA etc.

• Well established events calendar and world-class event facilities

MULTIPLE LEADS

CHALLENGES

• Limited trade-ready product

• Low tourism brand awareness and holiday allure

• Funding constraints for destination marketing

• Diversified landscapes and experience offering

TOWNSVILLE

EVENTS STRATEGY

IND GOV

• Business challenges such as workforce shortages, COVID recovery, insurance access and affordability GOV

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME 2023-2032

Development of a Townsville Events Strategy which positions Townsville as Regional Australia’s events capital through attracting and building events that maximises economic benefits and fosters community pride, whilst delivering value for money to the key funding stakeholders.

ATTRACT INVESTMENT FOR PALUMA-WALLAMAN

LEAD Traditional Owners

TIMEFRAME 2025

Advocacy for full funding to deliver the Paluma to Wallaman Trail, as per the business case.

REOPENING OF GREAT BARRIER REEF AQUARIUM

LEAD GOV/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2026

NORTH AUSTRALIA ARTS PRECINCT

LEAD TCC/TEL

TIMEFRAME 2026

Advocacy for a dedicated arts and cultural precinct to drive growth visitation.

EXHIBITION CENTRE

LEAD TEL

TIMEFRAME 2025

Investigate opportunities for an improved dedicated convention and exhibition centre.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

LEAD QAL/TCC

TIMEFRAME 2026

Secure direct international service into Townsville from Singapore or New Zealand by FY26/27.

INDUSTRY CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

LEAD TEL TIMEFRAME Ongoing

Delivery of an industry development program to enhance visitor experience, increase digital presence of operators and increase international readiness of the destination.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT

LEAD TEL/NQ ROC/GOV TIMEFRAME 2024-2027

Enhance and improve the number of demand driving, brand aligned experiences in the region to support growth in visitor spend. In particular in categories of cultural, nature, adventure and agritourism.

Action plan for Health, Education & Research

TROPIQ PRECINCT DEVELOPMENT - PRECINCT ACTIVATION

LEAD JCU/THHS/TCC

TIMEFRAME 2023/2024

TropiQ is experiencing significant institutional growth via major funded projects at Townsville University Hospital and James Cook University, along with a variety of private led development proposals that will drive a new multibillion dollar economy for northern Queensland. In order to accommodate this level of growth, significant precinct planning is required to prioritise and deliver an enabling infrastructure package. This is beyond the means and expertise of JCU and THHS and will require government investment and support.

ACTIONS

• Advocate and secure Qld State Government investment into precinct planning and subsequent phased precinct activation plan.

NORTH QUEENSLAND KIDNEY TRANSPLANT SERVICE

LEAD THHS TIMEFRAME 2024/2025

Townsville University Hospital has been selected as the site for Queensland’s second kidney transplant unit, providing kidney transplant care to the North Queensland region. The catchment will include the health service catchments of Torres and Cape, Cairns and Hinterland, North West, Townsville and Mackay.

ACTIONS

• Establish the NQKTS at Townsville University Hospital by 2024/2025.

Townsville is a major health services hub for Northern Queensland, offering a range of health, research and innovative enterprises. Townsville is also home to two internationally renowned universities and two TAFE campuses. The region has a strong reputation for providing quality education from primary and secondary schools to tertiary education and vocational training. 2023 2024

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION COMPLEX

LEAD JCU

TIMEFRAME 2023/2024

The four-storey, 9,400m2 TIC will be the centrepiece of an innovation hub in which undergraduate and postgraduate engineering and IT students, industry partners and researchers will converge and collaborate. The Ideas Market will form part of this development and will be a central hub and meeting place bringing together students, staff and the wider community, connecting the TIC and Student Accommodation to the Central Plaza.

ACTIONS

• Deliver a $94m technology Innovation Complex.

COMPLETION OF WESTATE PRIVATE HOSPITAL

LEAD IND TIMEFRAME 2023

Expected completion of a new fivestorey private hospital located less than 1km from Townsville’s CBD.

KIRWAN COMMUNITY HEALTH FACILITY

LEAD THHS

TIMEFRAME 2024

The expanded Kirwan campus will include a new two-storey facility containing pre and postnatal care, oral health services, and additional outpatient treatment centres. The campus will be Green Star-certified, meaning the design, construction, build and fit out will include measures to limit the building’s environmental impact.

ACTIONS

• Deliver a new $40m community health facility.

STRENGTHS

• Existing infrastructure and businesses

• Key regional infrastructure that will drive future growth

MULTIPLE LEADS

CHALLENGES

• Education and training for the emerging workforce on growth areas like automation and tech development

• Breadth of services are spread across a low population base

ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

LEAD TAFE

TIMEFRAME 2024

Expected completion of the Advanced Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at TAFE Bohle Trade Training Centre in Townsville.

• Additional training infrastructure and funding commitments from all layers of government 2025

EXPANDING RESEARCH IN THE TROPICS

LEAD THHS/JCU

TIMEFRAME Ongoing

• Affordability for equitable access to services

COMPLETION OF MATER HOSPITAL NEW MATERNITY UNIT AND RENAL DIALYSIS PROJECT

LEAD IND

TIMEFRAME Q4 2025

This project is the next stage in the Mater Private Hospital Townsville’s 10 year masterplan to address the unmet healthcare needs of the community.

2026

TOWNSVILLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL - PHASE 1 EXPANSION

LEAD THHS

TIMEFRAME 2026

This major expansion of the Townsville University Hospital will deliver 143 extra beds to the region by 2026, creating around 1,276 constructions jobs.

ACTIONS

• Deliver a new $530m, 143 bed rehabilitation and day surgery hospital in 2026.

2027

2028

TROPICAL AQUACULTURE ACCELERATOR

LEAD JCU

TIMEFRAME 2026-2028

Australia is unique amongst developed countries in having a significant landmass in the Tropics. Approximately one-half of the world’s population lives in the Tropics and with population growth double the world average, the Tropics are under severe and growing pressure. Research undertaken on issues of importance to industry, government, the broader community in northern Queensland and more broadly in tropical Australia are of strategic importance.

ACTIONS

• Develop a regional research strategy that aligns with industry and government strategic requirements with a focus on; Tropical ecosystems, conservation and climate change; Industries and economies in the tropics; People and societies in the tropics, and Tropical health, medicine and biosecurity.

The Accelerator, to be based at JCU’s Douglas campus will combine the University’s global expertise in aquaculture innovation, research and commercialisation with industry partners and world-leading, fit-for-purpose facilities and will be part of Townsville’s TropiQ –Tropical Intelligence and Health Precinct, It’s expected that by 2035 the Accelerator will support $2.6 billion in gross regional product and create more than 11,000 jobs.

ACTIONS

• Partner with Federal and Local Government to secure funds for the delivery of the facility.

Action plan for Workforce and Liveability

Townsville North Queensland offers a relaxed tropical lifestyle with all the amenities you would expect from a capital city. Workers enjoy an unrivalled way of life, weekend getaways to Magnetic Island, short daily commute times, fresh open air spaces and over 300 days of sunshine. Townsville North Queensland is the home of real potential and endless opportunity.

SECURE BUILD-TORENT INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

LEAD TEL/TCC

TIMEFRAME Ongoing

TEL is investigating affordable housing for the region’s growing population and workforce. Investigations include proposals for Build-to rent developments in Townsville CBD and advocating for rental affordability.

WORKFORCE ATTRACTION AND HOUSING CAMPAIGN

LEAD TCC /TEL

TIMEFRAME 2024/2025

Secure funding to deliver a three phased action plan which focuses on driving domestic and international migration by increasing awareness of Townsville North Queensland’s liveability and work opportunities.

POPULATION GROWTH & RETENTION STRATEGY

LEAD TCC/IND TIMEFRAME 2024

Investigate population growth and retention strategies that target the outcomes of the green industrial zone (attracting highly skilled workers in emerging industries).

HOUSING STRATEGY

LEAD TEL/TCC TIMEFRAME 2024

DAMA

LEAD TEL

TIMEFRAME Ongoing

TEL will continue its role as the Designated Area Representative (DAR) and continue to make endorsements for businesses in North Queensland that are facing genuine skills shortages. A designated area migration agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government, and a regional, state or territory authority. It provides access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program.

Investigate population growth and retention strategies that target the outcomes of the green industrial zone (attracting highly skilled workers in emerging industries).

TOWNSVILLE CBD REVITALISATION

LEAD TCC TIMEFRAME 2023

Collaborate with local council to assist in CBD Revitalisation.

STRENGTHS

• Access to world leading tertiary facilities and Vocational training providers to upskill future workforce

• Lifestyle (attractive climate, access to natural wonders)

• Diverse economy, no sector makes up more than 15% of total gross regional output

• Hub for emerging industries (renewable hydrogen, minerals processing and manufacturing)

DEVELOP PUBLIC TRANSPORT STRATEGY AND OUTCOMES

LEAD GOV

TIMEFRAME 2025

To support connectivity from Townsville CBD to major outer-city precincts (TropiQ). Include investigations into Smart ticketing, route efficiency, interactive signage and improving bus stop amenities.

MULTIPLE LEADS

CHALLENGES

• Attracting and retaining skilled labour

• Reputational damage

• High costs associated with working and living in regional areas (insurance)

• Rental housing affordability and availability

ATTRACTION OF FUTURE INDUSTRIES

LEAD TCC

TIMEFRAME 2026

Attraction of high value future industries to create 2,500 jobs.

POPULATION GROWTH TARGET

LEAD TCC

TIMEFRAME 2026

Increase the population of Townsville to 220,000 by 2026.

SECTION 5

Townsville Enterprise’s Role in DevelopmentRegional

Townsville Enterprise was founded to identify and pursue regional growth opportunities for Townsville North Queensland.

To grow the regional economy, Townsville Enterprise will work across four key areas:

Regional Infrastructure: Identify infrastructure needs in the region. Agree on regional priority infrastructure gaps. Work with Townsville Enterprise members to identify and de-risk an infrastructure solution. Advocate for government investment in major infrastructure projects.

Policy Change: Identify policy barriers to growth in the region Work with Townsville Enterprise members to identify and de-risk policy solutions. Advocate for government action in resolving policy barriers to growth.

Private Investment Attraction: Identify opportunities for private investment in the region Identify suitable investors in areas of opportunity. Engage with investors to outline investment opportunities.

Regional Promotion/ Destination Marketing (investment / migration / tourism): Develop promotional campaigns, in partnership with Townsville Enterprise members. Deliver promotional campaigns on behalf of the region.

To grow the regional economy, Townsville Enterprise will work with its Economic Development Strategic Advisory Committee (EDSAC) to deliver the following on behalf of the region:

Agreeing Regionally Significant Initiatives

1 Annually: TEL (EDSAC) agrees the top eight infrastructure prior ities and top four policy priorities (three each federal and state)

Initiative De-risking

1 Quarterly: Feasibility assessment completed on 3x priority init iatives

Investment Attraction

1 Quarterly: 2x investment opportunity proformas completed

2 Quarterly: Host an inbound investor delegation in region

Regional Advocacy

1 Quarterly: Host an inbound or outbound regional delegation

2 Quarterly: Advocacy campaign on priority initiative

3 Annually: Federal Government Budget Submission

4 Annually: Federal Government MYEFO Submission

5 Annually: State Government Budget Submission

6 Annually: State Government MYEFO Submission

7 As required: Determine Regional Election Priorities (12 months before election)

Regional Promotion

1 Quarterly: Deliver visitor attraction campaign sprint

2 Quarterly: Deliver regional migration campaign sprint

3 Quarterly: Deliver investment attraction campaign sprint

TEL’s success will be measured in the following ways:

1 Performance: Measured by delivery of specified tasks

2 Effectiveness: Measured by the achievement of outcomes sought

3 Impact: measured by a positive annual change in:

1 Employment (Total FTE jobs)

2 Economic growth (Gross Regional Product – GRP)

3 Economic diversity index

4 Regional migration

5 Total population

6 Leisure tourism visitation