Advance Cairns

04/06/2026

Join us on Monday 15th June for breakfast. Enjoy breakfast while hearing from Coach extraordinaire Tony Smith and Ali Burke from AFL Cairns.
Not only for the sports lover this Advance Cairns event is an opportunity to gain insight into leadership, resilience, mindset and maintaining focus under pressure.

https://www.advancecairns.com/event/the-winning-mindset-high-performance-leadership/ -tickets__tickets-form

29/05/2026

Member Spotlight: Welcome PNQ 🤝
If you’ve been in the Far North for any length of time, good chance you’ve seen the Pioneer North Queensland logo.
Whether it’s on the side of one of their trucks or on the chests of their more than 80 fulltime staff, PNQ has been steering the construction materials industry for more than 30 years.

There isn’t much GM Darren Caddy and sales manager Shane Poulton don’t know about rock, sand, concrete and asphalt - along with all the other materials used in construction.
PNQ are new members of Advance Cairns and Darren and Shane didn’t take long before educating our team about “greywacke”.
Turns out that’s not just a term used to describe our CEO Jen Spilsbury but, a hard, dark sandstone that is used in blue metal. 😆🤣

Like many in our region the PNQ team is concerned about the flow-on effects of the Iran conflict particularly the supply of bitumen which is sourced from the Strait of Hormuz.
“What people don’t always realise is the impact on costs every step of the way,” Darren said.
That could mean from the explosives used at any of their six quarries throughout the Far North to pipe, and the diesel used transporting materials and powering machinery.

In the meantime, they’re getting on with the job - probably in a suburb, Far Northern town or highway near you.
Welcome to the Advance Cairns family, PNQ. It's terrific to have your expertise, experience and positive attitude as part of our advocacy community. 🎉🤝

22/05/2026

Hear from the Queensland Treasurer 💰
Advance Cairns is excited to partner with the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and TTNQ to bring State Treasurer The Hon David Janetzki MP, Minister for Energy and Home Ownership to Cairns to break down the 2026 State Budget just days after its official release.

Don't miss your opportunity to listen to the Treasurer outline how it will affect the Far North along with his perspective on the opportunities and implications for businesses across our region.

When: Tuesday, 30 June, 2026
Time: 11.30am-2pm
Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Sheridan and Wharf streets
Cost: $95 members | $115 Non-members | $760 table of 8
Inclusions: Welcome drink on arrival. Alternate drop main course. Freshly brewed tea and coffee.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW 🔥🔥 www.cairnschamber.com.au/event/2026-state-budget-address-corporate-luncheon/

18/05/2026

Great news for our city Nita Green - Senator for Queensland and Matt Smith MP and a Federal Budget submission priority win for Advance Cairns. We need more housing desperately and quickly! Look forward to seeing this enabling infrastructure project progress.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering the housing infrastructure that the Far North needs.

The $190 million investment announced today will mean that the Mount Peter Priority Development Area will deliver over 13,000 homes - with more than 5,000 of those reserved for first home buyers.

This is what delivering for regional Queensland looks like.

13/05/2026

Budget priority wins for Advance Cairns 🤝
The Australian Government has prioritised the Cairns Western Arterial Road, committing an extra $166.3m in the 2026–27 Budget following strong advocacy from Advance Cairns.

The upgrade will strengthen the only flood-free access route connecting Cairns, the northern beaches and the Kennedy Highway – a crucial step toward a more resilient region during wet weather.

Thanks to the Federal Government, Matt Smith MP and Nita Green - Senator for Queensland for listening!

The Budget also allocated money to our other priorities including:

* A new $2B Local Infrastructure Fund to help unlock housing
* $255M toward the Common User Facility and CQUniversity campus
* $15M for the North Queensland Cowboys Community, Development and High-Performance Centre

Read the full media release on our website 👉 www.advancecairns.com

12/05/2026

Bring on Federal Budget 2026-27! 🔥
The Advance Cairns team is ready to trawl through Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ financial roadmap to see what’s in it for the Far North.
Pass the popcorn!! 🍿

05/05/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome the newly appointed Special Commissioner for Regional Rural Queensland Andrew Cripps to the Advance Cairns office to meet with CEO Jennifer Spilsbury and Operations Manager Frankie Opie.

Advance Cairns looks forward to working closely with Mr Cripps as he works on helping to unlock economic opportunities, cut red tape and give regional Queensland a louder voice.
They are all topics near and dear to our hearts!

A Tully native, Mr Cripps is well versed in the Far North’s many, many attributes and some of the challenges that face our region.
Good luck in the new role.



David Crisafulli MP

29/04/2026

April 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/advancecairns/advocacy-newsletter-01-6748234

29/04/2026

Member Spotlight: Switched on to region’s needs 💡
If you’ve lived in the Far North for any length of time, you’ll be familiar with the business Babinda Electrics.
Starting in 1968 in the sugar town of Babinda, 60km south of Cairns, this Far Northern success story has grown to become one of Queensland’s most respected electrical and mechanical contractors, employing more than 100 staff throughout Cairns and the Torres Strait.
The business specialises in commercial construction and there isn’t a major industry in the region that doesn’t have their paw prints on it.

Owner and director Greg Smith, whose father John (now retired) started the business, has experienced the ups and downs of the economy over the years and believes the current fuel crisis will have far-reaching impacts on trades.
In the short-term it is the 55% increase to the fuel bill which is hurting.
But it’s the longer-term effects on supply chains that he’s really keeping his eyes on, and particularly cable and conduit, an essential product used to protect and route electrical wiring.

“This doesn’t only affect us in the electrical industry, but also other trades and services such as the plumbing industry. We service a lot of subdivision works. So, what happens when there’s no more conduit?”
It’s a good question.

In the meantime, what does the boss of this trusted FNQ business do?
“We keep doing what we can do and just get on with the job.”
Greg is a big believer in the power of Advance Cairns’ network and its advocacy for the Far North.
“It campaigns for those big infrastructure projects that we all benefit from and that’s why we want to put back in.” 💪

Advance Cairns is the peak independent, economic advocacy organisation for the Far North.
For more information on becoming a member contact Operations Manager Frankie Opie at [email protected] 🤝

24/04/2026

Linking Leaders: The power of connection 🤝
Our favourite subject - the Far North - was at the heart of conversation at Advance Cairns’ inaugural members-only networking event.

Members gathered over canapés and drinks as the sun set at The Benson Hotel’s stylish Level 3 bar and restaurant, creating the perfect setting to connect and unwind.

The evening brought together leaders from across business and industry for informal conversations about advocacy priorities, while also providing the opportunity to meet our board, led by Chair Luke Bird, along with CEO Jennifer Spilsbury and the Advance Cairns team.

A big thank you to our board directors who, as always, give their time so generously, and to The Benson team for taking such great care of us.

Check out the photo gallery - there were plenty of smiles to go with the serious conversations.