Download 6 August 2014 Northern Australia Taskforce Department of the

6 August 2014
Northern Australia Taskforce
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
CANBERRA ACT 2600, Australia
http://northernaustralia.dpmc.gov.au
Submission: To inform the development of the White Paper
Whitsundays Marketing and Development Limited (WMDL) is the Whitsundays region’s peak tourism
marketing and economic development agency. We are committed to facilitating growth for the
Whitsundays through attracting new business, investment and infrastructure, and marketing our
region to visitors and potential new residents.
Our vision is that the Whitsundays be globally recognised as a vibrant, progressive community in
which to live, work, play and invest with a regional economy that is diverse, sustainable and
delivering long term benefits for the Whitsundays community.
WMDL believe there is strong argument to the Whitsunday’s ability to drive strong economic growth
and sustainability through existing and further developed enabling infrastructure. WMDL would like
to put forward the following information and attachments for submission in support of the
development of Northern Australia and inform the development of the White Paper.
The Whitsunday Region sees strong relevance in the Green Paper in that it:
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Identifies all the key priority directives to support strong growth in economic development
for the Australian economy
It identifies some key regions and major centres where there is substantial opportunity for
growth but neglects other regions of significance.
The White paper needs to recognise the growth potential and opportunities in all regional centres
that are well positioned to deliver across the priority directives.
Key recommendations based on the Green Paper for the development of the White Paper
1. Recognition of the Whitsundays as a region of significant importance to economic growth
locally and nationally:
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The Whitsunday region is clearly identified in a number of government, industry and
community strategies and plans as having strong industry sectors of mining, agriculture and
tourism that currently contribute significantly to the Australian economy with the potential
to expand rapidly and to a considerable size.
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Recognise and include the Whitsundays for its ability to support the delivery of the six broad
policy directives within the Green Paper. The Whitsundays has capacity to deliver
government strategies and meet the targets for economic growth and sustainability as a
result of its natural advantages across mining, agriculture and as well as the ability to
develop industries to meet global trends. (See attached supporting documents and
submissions)
This includes the Whitsundays ability to drive strong economic development as highlighted
in existing strategies and planning such as:
- existing enabling infrastructure and the ability to expand and further develop
- feasibility studies and planning completed for the development of new enabling
infrastructure
- ability to fast track government targets and provide a low cost model for delivery of
priorities
- has existing community, industry and government support
- the right climate to create Public Private Investment partnerships for infrastructure
projects
- private sector partnering with industry led project development to support expansion of
sectors to meet demand
- a strong regional plan for industry development, diversification and innovation
- well positioned to take up new and emerging global market opportunities across mining,
agriculture, tourism and international education
- ability to significantly expand existing industries such as mining, agriculture, tourism and
the enabling supply chains
- provides strong economic growth opportunities and the delivery of job creation through
workforce development, skilling and attracting the right talent to build capacity and
become centres of excellence across industry sectors
2. Recognition and inclusion of the Whitsunday Regional Council priorities which support
the six broad policy directives of the Green Paper that will drive strong economic growth.
The Whitsunday Regional Council priorities with regard to economic growth:
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Bruce Highway - the implementation of the Bruce Highway Action Plan Upgrade
Whitsunday Coast Airport - Develop the Whitsunday Coast International Export Hub
as a significant transport and exports hub and regional economic driver
Water Security - The construction of the Urannah Dam and improvements to the
Burdekin Falls Dam
Energy Security - Establishment of a base load power station at Collinsville and
alternative energy sources
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Port of Abbot Point - Further development of the Port of Abbot Point and the Abbot
Point State Development Area
Integrated Resort and Casino Development - Advocate for the establishment of an
integrated resort and casino development within the Whitsunday region
Agriculture - Grow the agriculture, horticulture and seafood sectors for expanding
export opportunities
3. Recognition of regional priorities identified across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region
in recent stakeholder forums which support the six broad policy directives of the Green
Paper that will drive strong economic growth.
In recent forums and stakeholder engagement activity with government key priorities for
economic growth across the Whitsunday Mackay and Isaac regions were identified as:
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Urannah Dam Development –enabling water infrastructure to support economic
growth across all industry sectors within the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region
Improve and further develop existing infrastructure to enable growth across
industry sectors – Road, Rail, Port, Airport Expansion
Industry Development - leverage global trends through diversification, innovation
and attracting talent/skilled workforce across industry sectors (Agriculture, Mining
and Tourism including SME’s)
Investment Attraction – needed to support the delivery of enabling infrastructure
and further develop industry sectors
Digital connectedness - the provision of improved digital services and networks
across the region to be connected to global markets
Urbanisation Planning - Improved urbanisation planning to support integrated
communities and protect industry
Export Market Development – Industry development to take up export
opportunities, improved market access and greater connectedness with Asian
markets
Innovation and Automation – improved productivity through process improvement,
cost savings and high uptake of new technology to be globally competitive
Workforce Development – attracting the right talent, developing high level
education precincts across industry sectors delivering world class skill development
Key concerns/barriers to economic growth in regional stakeholder forums:
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Collaboration – there is a need for a collaborative approach in delivering economic
growth from Government, industry and community
Red and Green Tape – In driving an economic growth agenda there is a need for
government to reduce red and green tape and make process less onerous
Infrastructure – Without the development of enabling infrastructure economic
growth will not occur and regional communities will not be sustainable
Investment – Public Private Investment in infrastructure needs to be managed to
consider the end users of the enabling infrastructure – eg Private investment in
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Dam infrastructure could result in high priced water which in turn could inhibit
industry development and economic growth
Community Infrastructure – with development comes population growth – there is
a need to consider community based infrastructure to meet demand
Please consider the recommendations put forward in this submission as WMDL believe the
Whitsunday region has the potential to be a major growth corridor for Northern Australian and will
contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the Australian economy long term.
Danial Rochford
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Whitsundays Marketing and Development Ltd