Western Cape Futures Symposium 2025

The Western Cape Futures Symposium 2025 (WCFS) is set to return to Weipa in May 7-8 next year.

WCFS is hosted by the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Aurukun Shire Council, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council, the Weipa Town Authority, Tropical North Queensland Drought Hub (TNQDH), the Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance, Western Cape Communities Trust, Cook Shire Council and Rio Tinto.
The inaugural WCFS in 2023 marked a significant milestone for the Western Cape York region, drawing over 180 delegates, and it is anticipated that WCFS 2025 will continue this momentum and growth.

WCFS was conceived from the need to create a vision and plan for a sustainable future for the region and included all the communities of the Western Cape (Aurukun, Mapoon, Napranum & Weipa), as well as Traditional Owner, key stakeholder and industry groups.

The TNQ Drought Hub is proud to once again support this significant event. Hub Director Dr. David Phelps emphasized the importance of events like WCFS, stating, "These gatherings are essential for bringing together the community and key stakeholders to plan for a sustainable and resilient future."

The Symposium aims to showcase opportunities for growth and development while addressing barriers to sustainability in the region. By connecting innovators, industry leaders, government agencies, local governments, businesses, Traditional Owners, and the residents of the Western Cape, the event fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas to build a resilient and thriving community.

Regions such as Western Cape York, which has less than 5,000 people already contributes $2 billion to Australia’s national economy providing unique opportunities for future development. However, whilst the region is rich with opportunity, it also faces many challenges with a transitioning economy away from mining, climate impacts, inadequate infrastructure, cost of living, complicated land tenure, and connectivity to the region to name a few.

WCFS 25 is the only event of its kind held in our region and boasts unprecedented collaboration from all of the region’s key stakeholder groups. If you would like to register your interest in WCFS25, visit https://www.westerncapechamber.com.au/