RDA Tropical North chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan says the 2025 State of the Region roadshow will allow business operators to “leverage the latest economic data for future opportunities”. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The latest economic and employment data for Far North Queensland will be unpacked at a series of free Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North forums across the region in June and July.
While the State Of the Region roadshow will not make it to Weipa, despite western Cape York’s major contribution to the economic prosperity of the northernmost part of the state, sessions will be held in Cooktown and Hope Vale next week.
RDA Tropical North chair Hurriyet Babacan said Greg Bowden from .id (informed decisions) would be one of the key speakers to take to the stage during the roadshow.
“The roadshow will explain how the changes in national, state and local economic conditions and the continued pressure on the cost of living and housing will affect the region,” she said.
“Businesses will also gain an understanding of how they can leverage the latest economic data for future opportunities.”
A longer session will be held in Cairns, with RDA Tropical North giving an update on current priorities alongside AusIndustry, the Office of Northern Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and nbn.
RDA Tropical North chief executive officer Sonja Johnson said it was hoped western Cape York would be included in next year’s roadshow.
“It is difficult for the roadshow representatives to travel to all 21 [local government areas] in the Tropical North Queensland region every year,” she said.
“We therefore try and visit different council areas every year, on a rotational basis.
“Rest assured, we aim to travel to Weipa and the western Cape in 2026, as it is an important economic driver for the region.”
The Cooktown session will be held in the Cooktown Events Centre from 9am on 30 June, with the Hope Vale session the same day from 2pm in the community’s meeting rooms.
Walk-ins are welcome, stakeholders can register for the Cape York or Cairns sessions by going to the RDA Tropical North website.
