General News
30 September, 2026
Far North is on the move
THE Far North is seemingly unstoppable right now and it’s a very exciting time as we see plans and advocacy transforming into work sites, expanding opportunities for our region.
Earlier in the year, our federal budget announced $166.5 million to commence the Cairns Western Arterial Road duplication that will stretch through Caravonica to Smithfield, alleviating traffic for the thousands of motorists who come from Port Douglas, the Northern Beaches and the Tablelands into Cairns – preparation roadworks began in September.
Meanwhile, the Kuranda Range road is back to two open lanes after nearly three years of government-funded restorative works, ending years of frustration for motorists.
In December it will be three years since we witnessed the devastating impacts of Cyclone Jasper and we all know how frustrating it has been travelling up and down the range.
Tourism and agriculture industries have suffered significant disruption while the traffic flow has been slowed to one lane and traffic tailbacks.
The Kuranda Range Road is one of the most important transport connections in Far North Queensland and this work has been critical to ensuring communities remain connected.
As we build back better, we continue to work with the Queensland Government to keep Far Northerners safe.
It’ll be great to see Kuranda re-energised and for Tablelands producers to be able to use the road unencumbered.
There are shovels in the ground all around our back yard – the Cairns water security project is nearing completion, ready to provide 64,000 new homes with a reliable and safe water supply.
There is new housing infrastructure going in the ground which will bring thousands of new homes and, with it, families, jobs, growth and optimism.
Through infrastructure, roads, housing, education, healthcare, protecting the environment and more, I’m doing everything in my power to help raise up all of us in the Far North, but none of it would amount to much without our families, our community and our camaraderie.
It was a particularly joyous experience for me to help the Ellis Beach Surf Life Saving Club officially open their new clubhouse.
It has taken 15 years of progress for the club, along with $3.5m in federal funding.
To see those kids, those families, those young athletes and lifesavers celebrate their new home (on the safe side of the highway) truly is a wondrous thing.
