2017 Developing Northern Australia Conference

Initiatives for Progress, Growth and Investment

The Developing Northern Australia Conference will be held at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 June 2017.

Cairns has been chosen as the destination for this annual conference following on from Townsville in 2015 and Darwin in 2016 and will focus on the theme of Progress, Growth and Investment in driving initiatives in the development of northern Australia.

Topics to be presented and discussed include land and water; food and agribusiness; forestry; resources and energy; tourism and hospitality; international education; healthcare and medical research; infrastructure; workforce opportunities; indigenous-led northern development; and developing strategic links as the Gateway to Asia.

The program features speakers that will be discussing the key opportunities and challenges in progressing northern Australia through growth and investment whilst the session presentations from industry leaders will focus on specialist topic areas. This is a must attend conference that will bring delegates from all over Australia to include thought provoking forums, opportunities to network at events and throughout the exhibitor floor and learn more about the influences and factors in developing northern Australia.

Featured Speakers 2017

Confirmed Featured Speakers

Professor Hurriyet Babacan, CEO, Tablelands Regional Council
Mr Luke Bowen, General Manager, Northern Australia Development and Trade, NT Department of Trade Business and Innovation
Senator the Hon Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia – (pre-recorded)
Mr Andrew Dickson, Director, Office of Northern Australia
Mr Philip Davies, CEO, Infrastructure Australia
Mr Eddie Fry, Board Chair, Indigenous Land Corporation
Ms Tracey Hayes, CEO, Northern Territory Cattlemans Association
Professor Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor and President, James Cook University
Ms Fiona Jose, Executive General Manager, Cape Operations, Cape York Partnership
Ms Sheriden Morris, Chair, Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia
Mr Joe Morrison, CEO, Northern Land Council
Ms Gina Rinehart, Chairman, Hancock Prospecting (pre-recorded)
Mr Bernard Salt, AM, Partner, KPMG
Ms Sharon Warburton, Chair, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

Find out more

Conference Program

Download the PDF

Conference Program Committee

Dr Allan Dale, Conference Chair, Professor of Tropical Regional Development, The Cairns Institute, James Cook University
Professor Scott Bowman, Vice Chancellor, Central Queensland University
Mark Coffey, Head, Office of Northern Australia
Terry Hill, CEO, Pilbara Development Commission
Fiona Jose, Executive General Manager, Cape Operations, Cape York Partnership
Jason Schoolmeester, Executive Director, Major Projects, Northern Australia Development Office
Professor Ruth Wallace, Director of the Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University
Laurie Walker, CEO, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility

Find out more

Who Should Attend?

With such wide ranging consequences for Australia, the Conference will appeal to all who are forward thinking and support a resilient Australia. In particular:

Federal Government inter-agency representatives
State Government representatives from QLD, WA and NT
Local Government representatives including CEO, General Managers, Mayors and Elected Officials
Economic and Community Development Managers and Groups
Sustainability and Environment Groups
Organisations representing indigenous affairs
Town Planners, Architects, Builders, Project Managers and Engineers
Chamber of Commerce, RDA and Economic Development Groups
Banking, Finance and others interested in Economic Development
Academics and Researchers, Education Bodies with representation in Northern Australia
Local Business Owners and Managers
Resource Sector, Tourism Operators and Agricultural bodies
Northern Australia Special Interest Groups