Where Peter Stands - Development of Townsville

Townsville’s future rests on three very solid economic pillars –

• mining and minerals processing and their associated supply chain;
• a favourable tropical climate and abundant natural assets which foster tourism and form the basis of world-class marine and scientific research;
• substantial defence assets and continued growth in defence-related industries.

To maximise economic growth in these three sectors Townsville requires ongoing skills development and enabling infrastructure. The port expansion, including an ocean terminal and a suitable road transport corridor, will provide a catalyst for continued industry growth in our region. Trades and technical training facilities are also vital, which I why I have continued to lobby the Labor Government to retain the North Queensland Technical College. And as Australia’s defence capability becomes more technically sophisticated and specialised, it is important that the North Queensland region responds to these changes with new areas of defence industry and supportive infrastructure. Townsville is very well positioned, with two large defence bases and developing maritime infrastructure, to benefit further from defence investment. Other parts of Australia, most notably South Australia, have already staked their claim to the defence sector. Townsville — with its high living standards, growing workforce and strong education sector — must keeping searching for new opportunities to attract complementary defence industries and direct military investment.