Tropical North Queensland Decarbonisation and Regional Development Showcase and Dialogue

In a rapidly decarbonising world Far North Queensland has many opportunities to secure and complex challenges to overcome. As an anchor institution within the region, James Cook University (JCU) and the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub, together with Regional Development Australia (RDA) Tropical North, RDA Townsville and North West and the Rural Economies Centre of Excellence, held a Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) Decarbonisation and Regional Development Showcase and Dialogue in Cairns and Townsville.

The showcases provided an opportunity to highlight the many great things happening in the region, as well as the research capabilities that are available within and beyond, and how we can build a collective approach that can help decarbonise the region while achieving significant regional development outcomes.?

The Cairns Showcase held on the 27th May attracted around 80 people and speakers included the Hon. Craig Crawford (State Member for Barron River), Jennifer Yarnold (Queensland Decarbonisation Hub), Prof Jenny Seddon (JCU DVC Research) and Lizzie Webb ( The Next Economy). As well as researchers from JCU, USQ, CQU and QUT there were a number of industry and community representatives from Cairns Airport, MSF Sugar, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, Ergon, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators.

The Townsville Showcase held on the 29th May attracted approximately 70 participants and speakers included Jennifer Yarnold, Prof Jenny Seddon and Lizzie Webb.

As well as community and industry Powerlink, Association of Mining Exploration Companies, RDA Townsville and North West and MITEZ. Researchers from JCU researchers highlighted the potential regional research responses and researchers from Griffith, USQ and CQU discussed what was happening in other regions.

Allan Dale the facilitator at both forums said that the forums ‘”ensured the community and industry were able to share their priorities for JCU action on decarbonised regional development.”