RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan, Senator Nita Green and RDA Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson catch up at the 15th anniversary function in Cairns on 22 October. Photo: Frontline Foto.
Securing funding for stage three of the Cape York Region Package (CYRP) and finding a proponent to take on a $1.6 billion irrigation project at Lakeland remain priorities for Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North as it celebrated its 15th birthday last week.
The organisation marked the advocacy milestone with an event in Cairns on 22 October and Deputy Chair Brett Moller identified the continued sealing of the Peninsula Developmental Road through the CYRP and the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme – which is estimated would inject $500 million into the local economy annually – as projects viewed as vital to Cape York’s prosperity.
“We’re working with federal government, TMR (Department of Transport and Main Roads), all the stakeholders, to secure a stage three funding proposal [for the CYRP],” he said.
“[With the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme], there’s a massive benefit if there’s political will there to make that investment.”
RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan said the organisation had a proud history of brokering regional development solutions that created jobs and growth for the Far North Queensland economy, describing it as a “backbone organisation” for the region.
“Our independent organisation has been driven by community leaders volunteering their time to collaborate with communities and work across all levels of government to advocate for funding for projects and feasibility studies that steer our region towards a prosperous and well-planned future,” she said.
“The RDA Tropical North board positions have been held by 43 community leaders over the past 15 years, with Deputy Chair Brett Moller celebrating the significant milestone of 15 years volunteering for RDA.
“Many of the significant projects achieved during the past 15 years have assisted with developing and improving key road infrastructure throughout the region.”
Professor Babacan echoed the deputy chair’s sentiment and said the organisation was committed to championing the needs of the northernmost part of Queensland.
“I am particularly proud of RDA Tropical North’s advocacy for the landmark $276m stage one Cape York Region Package, the most significant infrastructure investment in that region since Federation,” she said.
“We were also part of the team that brokered the 10-year, $8.5 billion commitment to enhance the Bruce Highway’s safety, efficiency and capacity.
“Water security is another key area that we have championed, most recently with the completion of the detailed business case for the Lakeland Irrigation Area Scheme, and taking the lead in 2020 to deliver the inaugural RDA Tropical North Regional Water Summit to develop a joint advocacy vision.”
Professor Babacan said she believed the role RDA Tropical North played in July’s Tropical North Queensland Housing Summit was also an advocacy highlight that would deliver real results for the region.
“This year, we tackled the housing crisis head-on with the Tropical North Queensland Housing Summit, which we organised with the Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance and FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils, to bring together more than 100 housing and accommodation stakeholders to discuss the steps forward to ease the region’s housing crisis.”
RDA Tropical North chief executive officer Sonja Johnson celebrates 15 years of the organisation’s advocacy with Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch at an event in Cairns on 24 October. Photo: Frontrow Foto.
