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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: 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: 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. 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: 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 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: 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: 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 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