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North Local Government Election Priorities 2020

TOWNSVILLE HINCHINBROOK PALM ISLAND BURDEKIN

2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES 1 FOREWORD

As the tier of government closest to between these five Local Government Areas in communities, Local Government does ensuring a strong North Queensland. This is why not merely deliver services – it shapes we have developed a local government platform neighbourhoods, business and places. of priorities that addresses local communities Local Government provides the road-map needs whilst continuing to cement our position that attracts investment, instills pride as a major regional centre in . We and encourages people to relocate to that acknowledge that there are different local issues area. Great cities and towns don’t happen in compared to Burdekin, Charters by chance – they happen when all levels of Towers, Hinchinbrook and Palm Island and this government work in partnership with each document seeks to address the areas that are other, with business and with residents, important to Townsville and important to our towards a common goal. It’s when these . partnerships are in harmony that a The region is on the move again, but with truly fires. unemployment still sitting above 7% and Townsville Enterprise has successfully worked approximately 7,300 people still out of work, with its five North Queensland Local Councils we need to work harder to ensure long term over the past few years to drive jobs, growth and job creation now and into the future. Whilst the investment. It is because of these partnerships region continues to battle a range of social and that projects such as the $293M Queensland economic local issues, hence our support for Country Bank Stadium, the $400M+ water the ‘Townsville One’ initiative addressing crime, pipeline, the progression of the Hells Gates Dam, we believe the future is still bright for North the opening of the Galilee Basin and the Museum Queensland. of Underwater Art are all becoming a reality. The list of priorities outlined below has been More than $2B of projects have been secured in developed in close consultation with government the past three years and this is a testament to and industry and represents some simple local our united advocacy. measures to help create jobs, stimulate pride and Townsville Enterprise values the critical position North Queensland strongly for the future. importance of the symbiotic relationship

2 2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

To continue enabling the growth of Townsville North Queensland, Townsville Enterprise is calling on the region’s five Local Government Areas to support the following priorities:

BACKING LOCAL BUSINESS AND LOCAL JOBS

Townsville City Council

 B uilding on the Basics A ttracting Investment B usiness Engagement N on-residential Pedestal Charges M agnetic Island – The Jewel of the Crown C ontinue Attracting and Building Events

NORTH QUEENSLAND ECONOMIC GATEWAY

North Queensland Regional Councils  T ownsville City Council B urdekin Shire Council C harters Towers Regional Council H inchinbrook Shire Council P alm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

Key Enablers

Identified Products and Experiences

Population North

LIFESTYLE AND VISITATION

Tourism 2020 – Talking Up North Queensland

2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES 3 TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Backing Local Business and Local Jobs

BACKGROUND shine are important. Clean streets and The neighbourhoods, greening programs Opportunity Townsville is a significant economic to ensure our parks and open spaces contributor to the North Queensland and are attractive, and introducing Business Business is the Queensland economy. There are several and Community Pride Programs engine room of investment, development and business where people are empowered to take Townsville and opportunities that need to be enabled responsibility for presentation of their need Townsville to ensure the region continues to be a premises are also key. The measured City Council thriving economy. continuation of the Townsville City to be enablers Council program of re-greening spaces that support and encourage Recent years have presented significant is a tangible way in which the council can investment and challenges to the Townsville economy. support this initiative. growth. The mining sector experiencing a significant slowdown, natural disasters Attracting Investment impacting the region, through flood and drought, and the community through Timeliness and streamlining of loss of homes and services. It has been approvals – Townsville City Council an unprecedented period of challenges. to develop clear and accountable timeframes for turn-around on Townsville continues to be a resilient approvals, including infrastructure and robust community; however, agreements. Delays on infrastructure unemployment for the North agreements have significant impacts Queensland region is at 7.1%, versus on developers’ ability to commence 6.1% for the State (SALM, 2019) and construction. 5.2% nationally (ABS, 2019). A healthy, thriving business and investment This isn’t just for external investment environment is fundamental to ensuring coming in but also ensuring that locally jobs growth and economic prosperity. generated projects make a contribution as well. We should redouble our efforts SOLUTION to ensure local investment can also generate local jobs as part of the overall Townsville City Council is uniquely contributions. placed to enable economic growth through the following range of Business Engagement measures: The State Government has recently Building on the Basics implemented Belcarra legislation which requires councils to ensure disclosure of It’s important Townsville’s image is conflicts and a controlled process when reflective of its brand and the city is dealing with the business community. presented in a way that ensures the Feedback from members indicates an community feels proud of where they opportunity for Townsville City Council live, business confidence is boosted, to improve engagement while still and the city can be promoted as an complying with the legislation. Business attractive place to invest and relocate to. wants to work with councils to get the To help achieve this, small things count balance right and a proactive strategy as well; which is why Local Government to streamline engagement with the has a leading role in investing into local business community is a necessary step initiatives that might seem small but can to keep the local economy improving as have a significant impact. quickly as possible.

In Townsville the efforts and investment in local cleaning and greening initiatives that are designed to make Townsville

4 2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES Non-residential Pedestal – The Jewel of Charges the Crown Recommendation To capitalise on the true tourism Townsville commercial businesses are potential of Magnetic Island there is Townsville currently paying amongst the highest need for a 2030 Magnetic Island Tourism Enterprise calls rates for sewerage in the State. Vision to be undertaken. The scope of on the Townsville this plan should: City Council to For the accommodation sector, pedestal further support taxes are prohibiting business growth. P rovide a strategic blueprint of the development, These sewerage charges, in addition capital works programs that improves expansion and growth of the local to increases in insurance premiums tourism infrastructure across the business community and impacts from the Townsville island and identifies key investment/ through a range flooding in February 2019, are creating development opportunities. of measures, such a challenging environment for the as balancing a accommodation sector and limits E nable Magnetic Island to deliver Building on the development and investment in this the ‘best of Australia’ tourism Basics approach to sector. experiences by matching the local government island’s natural beauty with a built responsibilities and The accommodation industry and environment that improves the working to attract investment into the broader tourism sector is calling for appeal of the destination. region that creates a freeze on non-residential Pedestal meaningful long-term Charges especially while in the Increase the economic return from jobs. rebuilding phase of recovery. tourism in our region through increased visitation, length of stay and expenditure.

P rovide a focal point for council, industry, national parks and community to work together.

2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES 5 TOWNSVILLE CITY COUNCIL Continue Attracting and Building Events

The BACKGROUND the destination as the events capital of regional Australia. Opportunity Townsville is home to a strong events North Queensland calendar with long standing destination Townsville currently faces several has the potential to events such as the Supercars, challenges in its ability to attract, be regional Australia’s Professional Bull Riding, Australian maintain and grow events. Significant leading events Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville consultation with key stakeholders from destination. This will Running Festival, Magnetic Island Race the events sector has determined a only be achieved Week and the Townsville Triathlon & need to streamline the processes and with a continued Multisport Festival all embedded into support channels available to events to and increased the fabric of the community. From a better enable existing events to grow commitment to the tourism perspective, these events have and for new events to be secured for the development and acquisition of events. all demonstrated a significant injection city. This has led to the creation of the of visitation and economic benefit to the Townsville Major Events Strategy which region. It is acknowledged Townsville has actions and outcomes focused on: City Council has significantly invested into building and attracting events in P ositioning Townsville as an Events Recommendation recent years and this has had a positive Destination impact for business and the community. F unding commitment to Recent additions to the events calendar Identifying a structured approach the outcomes and such as the North Australia Festival of and framework for managing event actions identified Arts (NAFA) as well as the destination’s opportunities in Townsville City success in acquiring major events such Council’s Major as the 2018 Commonwealth Games and A strategy for attracting new events Events Strategy the Rugby League World Cup is testament and investing in existing ones to the potential and scale of events that C ontinued support Townsville can attract and/or develop. Ma ximising the potential of existing towards the event assets (built and natural) and Townsville North Queensland Bid With the growth recently seen in the identifying the need for new or Fund events sector and development of new upgraded event facilities event facilities (Queensland Country Bank Stadium), there is an opportunity to take a strategic approach to acquiring SOLUTION and developing the Townsville Major Events Calendar. There is opportunity to Provide financial commitment to leverage Townsville’s historic success in delivering on the actions as presented in delivering events to not only grow the the Townsville Major Events Strategy. major events calendar but to also position

6 2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES NORTH QUEENSLAND REGIONAL COUNCILS North Queensland Economic Gateway

Townsville City Council

Burdekin Shire Council

Charters Towers Regional Council

Hinchinbrook Shire Council

Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council

2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES 7 NORTH QUEENSLAND REGIONAL COUNCILS North Queensland Economic Gateway

It’s important for Local Government to balance a focus on the here and now with advocacy and investment into projects and policies of the future. The region has endorsed a list of priorities that grow the economy and enhance the lifestyle of North Queenslanders which candidates and councillors are asked to continue to support. The below priorities have been key components of our State and Federal submissions, as well as identified in the Product and Experience Development Plan launched in 2019.

Townsville Charters Towers L ansdown Eco Industrial Precinct H ells Gates Dam T ownsville Ross Creek and Art Precinct Masterplan G regory Developmental Road S trand Urban Development K ernow Charters Towers Development R eef HQ Aquarium Redevelopment Hinchinbrook E ntertainment and Exhibition Centre F oreshore Redevelopment D riveIt NQ D ungeness dredging, replenishment and car park N orth Queensland Country Club and expansion Equestrian Centre Ha lifax Heritage Master Plan M agnetic Island Walking Trail Development W allaman Falls Master Plan A ctivation of Castle Hill H eated Silo Storage Project Y ear-round major events N QBE Renewable Energy Project

Burdekin H erbert River Weir Project B urdekin Industrial Land Project R ecreational/Adventure Tourism Product Inkerman / Intersection Upgrade V isitor Wayfinding Signage M acro-algae Remediation Project Palm Island C romarty Wetlands/Wongaloo Conservation Park R etail and Commercial Precinct N ew tourism product feasibility T rail Network B ackpacker Market: Adventure Tour Product C ultural Precinct Interpretation and Wayfinding Signage E co-accommodation Development

In conjunction, all regional councils continue to support the Product and Experience Development Plan and commit to monitoring and implementing the actions associated. The current projects and experiences noted as priority for delivery are as follows:

Key Enablers A ctivate the new DNA – Branding D igital Sophistication Program Increased Airline Capacity and Routes O perator Development and Mentoring M agnetic Island 2030 Tourism Vision T ownsville: Queensland Country Bank Stadium Identified Products and Experiences H inchinbrook: Dungeness Marine Access Regional Collaborations: Improvements P aluma to Wallaman Walking Trail P alm Island Readiness and Resilience Program M useum of Underwater Art (MOUA) T ownsville Tourism Marine Precinct

8 2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES NORTH QUEENSLAND REGIONAL COUNCILS Population North

fair and equitable distribution of SOLUTION The Issue wealth and opportunity across the nation, supporting and 1. The Local Governments of In 2018 Townsville achieved contributing to the regeneration North Queensland to consider modest population growth of and sustainability of regional cities putting in place a dedicated 0.6% and North Queensland an and communities. If Governments Population Policy and target. even more modest 0.3% growth. fail to support proactive regional 2. The Population Policy should development, they run the risk Population targets need to focus on attracting new of economic instability or the be set to ensure Government business and retaining existing establishment of a “two speed” and industry are working businesses, and should include: economy. Not since the influence towards a goal that is backed of Australia’s mining and resources Co mmitment to invest in the by an infrastructure, jobs and economic infrastructure, social liveability plan. boom (prior to the impact of the Global Financial Crisis) has our infrastructure and government services needed to support the country found itself in the midst population target. BACKGROUND of a two-speed economy, this time comprising: A whole-of-government North Queensland needs the requirement for laws and appropriate policy settings in place i. NSW and Victoria (driven policies that affect Northern to retain and attract the population largely by Sydney and Australia to explicitly consider needed to underwrite its future Melbourne); and how they will positively impact economic growth. The Developing population growth targets. Northern Australia White Paper ii. The rest of Australia (ROA). Local Government can access 2015 recognised that rapid The size and relative strength of through the State and Federal population growth is fundamental the NSW and Victorian economies Governments a range of funding to unlocking Northern Australia’s means that economic data and grant streams, it is critical economic potential and capitalising presented at the national level is that this funding is fully utilised on its proximity to the burgeoning for the benefit of the region and masking weaknesses throughout economies of and the Tropics. local content policies prioritised. the ROA, particularly that of The broad objective of regional centres. Without a targeted R esources to support a national macroeconomic policy is to approach by Government to regional marketing program and contribute to economic and development, the economic divide business incentive package to attract businesses to relocate social wellbeing in an equitable between southern capitals and to North Queensland. and sustainable manner. Unless, regional communities will continue to widen. Australia’s southern as a nation, we are prepared Commit to establishing a scheme to make a strong commitment capital cities are burdened by a to retain graduates from the local to address factors that support lack of affordable housing options universities, the sustainability of regional and are unable to address cost and communities, we will continue to see of living pressures. It would only University, TAFE North and Tec- the exodus of educated and skilled seem practical that all levels NQ, ensuring the region has the labour to capital cities in pursuit of of Government would seek to skilled workforce required to lead economic growth. opportunity and employment. alleviate this pressure through the decentralisation and relocation of Governments of the day have a departmental and agency operations fundamental obligation to ensure to regional centres, seeking to turn Recommendation the tide of regional emigration. Local Governments of North Queensland to consider putting in place a dedicated Population Policy and target.

2020 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION PRIORITIES 9 LIFESTYLE AND VISITATION Tourism 2020 – Talking Up North Queensland

BACKGROUND a digital and social media campaign, and a partnership with Jetstar. Operators The Issues Currently the regional tourism and have since reported the 2019 tourism events industry contributes more than season as one of the best in 10 years, T ownsville North $1.2 billion to the Townsville North national visitor statistics have seen Queensland is one of Queensland economy, supporting record growth and the accommodation the least funded for approximately 6,800 local jobs. sector reported year on year growth destination marketing However, this is earmarked to more with occupancy levels between 80% and in the State. than double over the next decade to 90% from June – August. with a number of developments either T he region requires proposed or under development. In October, the 2019–2024 Townsville increased marketing For these projects to reach their full North Queensland Tourism Product investment with potential and drive visitor demand, an and Experience Development Plan funding comparable increase in tourism marketing activity was launched, in collaboration with all to other tourism will be integral to ensure the region is regional councils to set the strategic destinations. competitive and funding is aligned with direction for the region’s tourism other regions in Queensland. industry. It identifies enabling strategies O ver the last 20 years and provides a list of priority projects tourism growth in the North Queensland’s tourism and events that will support tourism growth. region has flatlined industry has seen limited growth over Through significant consultation this and the destination the last 20 years and has struggled to plan also works to better define our has struggled to attract and maintain airline routes. destination’s DNA and provides the attract and maintain Townsville North Queensland’s tourism platform to launch a branding strategy new airline routes. marketing spend is currently one of which would redefine and relaunch the least funded in the State. With Townsville North Queensland to the per capita Local Government funding nation through a brand campaign that to the region for tourism marketing strongly markets the events calendar Recommendation currently sitting at approximately $1.55 and our tourism assets. per capita in comparison to Mackay at Provide a three-year $3.27, at $5.66 and at SOLUTION funding commitment of $11.03. an additional $1M per Given the global tourism growth trends year to support a national In response to the February 2019 and Townsville North Queensland’s tourism and events monsoon event, Tourism and Events untapped potential in this sector, it campaign focused on Queensland funded Townsville is proposed that all regional councils attracting visitors to the Enterprise $500,000 to coordinate increase their funding commitment to region. This will enable a flood recovery tourism marketing tourism marketing for the region by an the region to ensure campaign over a two-year period. additional $1M per year under a three- its competitiveness Directly following the monsoon event year agreement (this amount to be with other tourism a national marketing campaign was inclusive of other levels of government destinations. delivered by Townsville Enterprise and private sector funding). Townsville which incorporated broadcasts across a Enterprise will work with media national TV breakfast program, holiday partners and local operators to further packages, a national radio campaign, leverage this funding commitment.

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