The infrastructure needs of northern and western Queensland have been strengthened by the appointment of Flinders Shire Council mayor, Jane McNamara, to the Northern Australia Advisory Council.
The seven-member council is made up of four women and three men that includes north Queensland marine park tourism representative, Col McKenzie and central Queensland Catholic Diocesan director, Leesa Jeffcoat.
Saying they’d been told by Northern Australia Minister, Matt Canavan, to avoid parochialism when they met for the first time in Townsville last week, Cr McNamara said the council would be working across three states and a variety of legislative processes.
Cr McNamara added that she had put a lot of work in around western and northern Queensland in her career and was cognisant of a lot of their issues.
“This is an honour for me,” she said. “It’s pretty exciting because we all live in northern Australia and understand its needs.”
She said that although she had been on the LNP state executive representing one-third of Queensland and was now on the MITEZ board and the North West ROC, and exposed to a variety of ideas, the council now needed feedback from the public on development ideas.
“One of the big things for me is base-load power for north Queensland and what the best way is to achieve that – via hydro, or clean coal, or renewable energy.”
Of the $700 million set aside for northern road projects, last week’s Hann Highway sod-turning marked the first of those, which Cr McNamara said was significant.
Northern Australia Minister, Senator Canavan said the council would provide a direct link to government to provide regular updates about issues, projects and priorities.
“The members of this council know what makes northern Australia tick,” he said.
“They represent a wide range of industries that are essential for the jobs and economic wellbeing of the north.
“Our government takes northern Australia seriously. We have members and senators across the north.
“I’m proud to live in northern Australia and I regularly visit the towns and communities across all parts of this expansive region.
“But we know the best way to deliver for northern Australia is to listen to the people who create the jobs and run the local businesses.”
The other council appointees are:
- Mr Nigel Browne, a Larrakia and Wulna man, Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive officer
- Ms Nicole Roocke, Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia deputy chief executive
- Ms Colleen Costello, Northern Territory pastoralist
- Mr Col McKenzie, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators chief executive officer and marine tourism consultant
- Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Diocesan director, Catholic Education, Diocese of Rockhampton
- Councillor Peter Long, mayor of Karratha, engineer and environmental scientist
The council will advise on issues including industry development, indigenous employment, infrastructure and long-term planning.
Cr McNamara said her appointment was for 12 months and was an advisory role only.
The council’s next meeting will be in Darwin in October.
Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
