Our advocacy

Council’s Advocacy Policy provides the framework for how advocacy priorities are identified, supported and pursued. The policy ensures advocacy is strategic, coordinated, transparent and aligned with Council’s Corporate Plan and endorsed strategies.

Our approach is guided by key principles including:

• Strategic alignment with Council plans and priorities
• Collaboration and strong regional partnerships
• A non-partisan advocacy approach
• Independence, free from influence and in the best interest of Cairns
• Accountability and transparency
• Councillor-led advocacy supported by Council officers
• Adaptability to respond to emerging opportunities
• Evidence-based and grounded in credible data
• Role clarity about Council's role and position in advocacy
• A clear and consistent regional voice

Council also recognises the value of supporting advocacy led by external organisations and community partners where there is clear alignment with Council-endorsed strategies and priorities.

How Council Advocacy Priorities are decided

Council’s advocacy priorities focus on issues that matter most to the Cairns community and region. Advocacy priorities are determined by Council and are focused on issues that align with the region’s strategic needs and future growth.

From time to time, Council officers may recommend new advocacy priorities based on the principles outlined in Council’s Advocacy Policy. These recommendations are then considered by the full Council at an official Council meeting.

Once adopted, an issue becomes an official Advocacy Priority and remains a focus for Council until it is reviewed or updated by Council.

Advocacy Priorities

How we advocate

Council undertakes advocacy across local, state and federal levels of government to progress priorities that deliver long-term benefits for the Cairns community.

Our advocacy approach includes:

• Building strong relationships with government and industry stakeholders
• Preparing evidence-based submissions and business cases
• Coordinating regional advocacy campaigns and delegations
• Working collaboratively with advocacy and industry partners
• Advocating for external funding and investment opportunities
• Promoting regional priorities through coordinated communications and engagement

Council’s advocacy is led by the Mayor and Councillors, supported by Council officers through strategy development, stakeholder engagement and advocacy coordination.

Our strategic partners

Strong partnerships are essential to effective advocacy.

Council works closely with a broad range of regional organisations, industry bodies, community stakeholders and other levels of government to strengthen advocacy outcomes and amplify the voice of the Cairns region.

We work collaboratively with partners including:

• Local State and Federal Members of Parliament
• State and Federal Ministers and related Departments and Agencies
• Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)
• Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC)
• Advance Cairns
• Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ)
• Regional Development Australia Tropical North
• Cairns Chamber of Commerce
• Industry and community stakeholders

By working together, Council and its partners can advocate more effectively for regional investment, infrastructure and policy outcomes that support the future of Cairns and Far North Queensland.