Developing Northern Australia Conference
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Wednesday 6 July - Friday 8 July 2022
Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, QLD

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Change-Makers
Advancing Australia’s North

The Developing Northern Australia Conference continues to grow every year, along with the national momentum for achieving better economic, social, and environmental outcomes for the north and its people.

It is that one regular opportunity for northern Australians and their supporters from across the nation and the world to come together to celebrate progress and to refine strategic efforts.

It’s the place where multiple connections are made east to west, north to south, and from the north to the wider world. It is also the place where deals are done and where partnerships for business, research, investment, and problem solving emerge.

Importantly, it also enables strong Indigenous and other important voices from across the north to come together to share stories across diverse themes such as investment, health, defence, workforce and industry development and natural resource management.

The conference also provides the premier annual opportunity for everyone to have a real input into the policy and program thinking of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.

Keynote Speakers

Narelle Pearse VIEW BIO

Narelle Pearse

Vice-President, Students & Corporate Services, CQUniversity

Narelle Pearse

Narelle Pearse

Vice-President, Students & Corporate Services, CQUniversity

Narelle is the Vice President (Students & Corporate Services) at CQUniversity. CQUniversity has 27 locations across Australia, strongly based in the regions, and Narelle’s portfolio includes Strategic Planning & Risk, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Finance, Commercialisation, and Student services.
Narelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Commerce, Executive MBA, Graduate Diploma in Economic Development, and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. She has over 20 years of experience in the private sector and prior to joining CQU in 2014, she was the CEO of the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC). Narelle is currently undertaking a PhD exploring the role of regional universities in the development of future workforces.

male-place VIEW BIO

Daniel Kimberley

Founding Director, Monsoon Aquatics

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Daniel Kimberley

Founding Director, Monsoon Aquatics
Heidi Lee VIEW BIO

Heidi Lee

Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Zero Emissions

Heidi Lee

Heidi Lee

Chief Executive Officer, Beyond Zero Emissions

Heidi Lee is Chief Executive Officer of Beyond Zero Emissions, a leading Australian think tank demonstrating how the country can prosper in a zero-emissions economy. She led the organisation's recent Million Jobs Plan, which showed how in just five years, renewables and zero-emissions projects can deliver 1.8 million new jobs in the regions and communities that these are needed most.
BZE's current work is focused on Renewable Energy Industrial Precincts: demonstrating how Australia's manufacturing sector can be powered by renewable energy, deliver regional jobs, secure domestic supply chains, and export zero-emissions products to global markets.

Claire-Martin-web-1 VIEW BIO

Claire Martin

National President, AILA

Claire-Martin-web-1

Claire Martin

National President, AILA

Claire Martin is a Fellow and President of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects, and Associate Director of OCULUS where she has led the delivery of a range of education, health, cultural, and infrastructural projects. She is passionate about design advocacy and education, and is the Asia-Pacific Region Chair of the International Federation of Landscape Architects’ Climate Change Working Group, a contributing editor of Landscape Architecture Australia, and a member of the Office of the Victorian Government Architect’s Victorian Design Review Panel and RMIT University’s Landscape Architecture Industry Advisory Committee, where she has taught, and is an invited critic.

Kylie-Porter-3-web VIEW BIO

Kylie Porter

Chief Executive Officer Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3)

Kylie-Porter-3-web

Kylie Porter

Chief Executive Officer Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Kylie Porter is the Chief Executive Officer of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3). GW3 is the peak independent, economic development organisation for the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region. The organisation is a strategic and coordinated point of contact for local, national and international networks and advocates for, and promotes prosperity across the Greater Whitsunday region. GW3’s focus is not centred on one specific industry and has a remit to deliver across all key driving industries in the region including mining and METS, agriculture, tourism, bio-futures and others. Kylie more than 25 years professional marketing and corporate communications experience, and is well versed on all the big issues the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region today. She also is a Director of C-Res, a company which delivers the Local Buying Program across Australia in partnership with BHP.
Darren Godwell VIEW BIO

Darren Godwell

Chief Executive Officer, I2I Global

Darren Godwell

Darren Godwell

Chief Executive Officer, I2I Global

“Godwell is one of Australia’s most well credentialed Indigenous executives with several Board appointments and executive responsibility for his own company i2i Global. i2i Global is an Indigenous advisory firm providing support to Clients on matters of economics, enterprise and business development, business strategy and investment, trade and Indigenous interests in exports.

In 2022, Minister Ken Wyatt appointed Darren Co-Chair of his National Indigenous Reference Group. He is also a co-founder of Indigenous led, industry association the Australian Indigenous Network for Investment, Trade and Export (IGNITE).

Darren has completed executive education at INSEAD Business School (France) and MIT’s Sloan Management School and is a proud descendent of the Kokoberren peoples of Queensland.”

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The Hon Nicole Manison

Deputy Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government

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The Hon Nicole Manison

Deputy Chief Minister, Northern Territory Government
  • Deputy Chief Minister
  • Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services
  • Minister for Mining and Industry
  • Minister for Northern Australia and Trade
  • Minister for Defence Industries
  • Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture
  • Minister for International Education

Nicole is a born and bred Territorian, passionate about making a positive difference in her community.

She has been the Member for Wanguri since 2013 and is also Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Minister for Mining and Industry, Minister for Northern Australia and Trade, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Agribusiness and Aquaculture and Minister for International Education.

Nicole’s driving passion is to create more jobs across the Northern Territory and grow the economy. She believes that will create better opportunities for all Territorians and strengthen our schools, health system, housing and community safety.

Nicole is a proud local and grew up in the Wanguri electorate. She went to local schools including Holy Spirit School, Dripstone Middle School and Casuarina Senior College before attending Curtin University and studying Journalism and Public Relations. She has worked in the NT public sector and in the WA private sector in communications and human resources. She has also worked as a media adviser and a senior government adviser.

Nicole has always loved sport and fitness. She played and coached for the Waratah Netball Club for many years and has won two premierships with the Waratah Football Club. Nicole still enjoys running to keep herself fit and active. She has completed a marathon and hopes to run another one day.
Nicole lives in the Wanguri electorate with her husband Scott and their children Aiden, Grace and Chloe.

Darren-West-web VIEW BIO

The Hon Darren West MLC

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry, and Member for Agricultural Region

Darren-West-web

The Hon Darren West MLC

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Hydrogen Industry, and Member for Agricultural Region

Darren was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council in 2013 and represents the Agricultural Region which spans from Northampton to Esperance covering around 260 000 square km.

The Agricultural Region contains the electorates of Geraldton, Moore, Central Wheatbelt and Roe along with 61 Local Governments and over 150 schools.

Darren is Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Alannah MacTiernan who holds the portfolios of Agriculture and Food, Regional Development and Hydrogen Industry. Darren is the only working farmer in the WA Parliament.

Before entering Parliament, Darren ran the family farm at Jennacubbine near Northam in Western Australia and spent six years as Chair of WA’s Wheatbelt Development Commission.

Invited Speakers

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The Hon David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia Parliament of Australia

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The Hon David Littleproud MP

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia Parliament of Australia
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Senator Susan McDonald

Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Parliament of Australia The Hon Murray Watt, Senator for Queensland, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland

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Senator Susan McDonald

Special Envoy for Northern Australia, Parliament of Australia The Hon Murray Watt, Senator for Queensland, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland
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The Hon Glenn Butcher

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, Queensland Government

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The Hon Glenn Butcher

Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water, Queensland Government
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Professor John Daley

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Professor John Daley

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Dr Cassandra Goldie

CEO, Australian Council of Social Service

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Dr Cassandra Goldie

CEO, Australian Council of Social Service

Present in 2022

Theme:  A Lead on Inclusive Development for the 21st Century

The Conference Program Advisory Committee are seeking presentations of varying styles, including case study examples, emerging research, project or program analysis and learnings, as well as a strong call to action.

This platform is for government and industry leaders, researchers and the workforce alike to come together and highlight the challenges, developments, and opportunities of northern Australia.

In-person & virtual presentation options available. 

Every successful presenter will be offered a discounted in-person registration rate.

Applications to present are now closed.

Important Dates

Presenter Submissions Close Friday 18 March 2022
Presenter Acceptances Due Tuesday 5 April 2022
Presenter Registrations Due Friday 8 April 2022
Program Available Thursday 14 April 2022
Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday 20 May 2022
Scholarship Applications Close Friday 27 May 2022

Partner With Us


Expand your network of government leaders, and key industry workers while showcasing your products & services.

We can also create custom partnership packages designed to meet your business objectives.

Learn More

Host Council Partner

Mackay Regional Council

Destination Sponsor

Tourism and Events Queesnland

Iridium Sponsors

CQ University
CRCNA

Gold Sponsors

 

Office of Northern Australia
Darwin Innovation Hub

 

Silver Sponsors

Yurika
NAIF
View All Sponsors

Draft Program

Wednesday 6 July 2022

0900-1200 Touring Options - Learn More
1330-1730 Conference Day 1
1745-1915 Mackay Regional Council Welcome Reception

Thursday 7 July 2022

0530-0800 Touring Options - Learn More
0830-1700 Conference Day 2
1730-2030 Conference Dinner
Buses will depart MECC at 17.00 - Learn More

Friday 8 July 2022

0830-1500 Conference Day 3

Registration Options

In-Person

3 DAY PROGRAM

$1,199 + GST

Early Bird

Standard rate of $1,499 + GST applies from 20 May 2022.

  • All keynote presentations
  • All concurrent presentations
  • Discounted accommodation rates
  • Access to conference app
  • 5 star conference catering package
  • Access to exclusive networking functions
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days post-event
  • Printed conference materials
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance
  • Exposure for your organisation
  • Plus, chances to win great prizes!

    * Tours and dinner are an additional cost.

REGISTER NOW

Please fill in your details below to begin your registration.

Virtual

3 DAY PROGRAM

$399 + GST

Early Bird

Standard rate of $499 + GST applies from 20 May 2022.

  • Live streaming of all keynote presenters
  • Live streaming of all sessions in the plenary room over three day conference period
  • Virtual presentations
  • Complete online access to audio and visual presentations for 30 days*
  • Over 10 hours towards CPD points
  • Your personalised certificate of attendance

    *Access to all audio and visual presentations will be made available 5 business days after the conference has taken place, and will expire 30 days after access has been granted. Options to extend access will also be made available after 30 days.

REGISTER NOW

Please fill in your details below to begin your registration.

Contact Us

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    Information

    • Conference Scholarships
    • Delegate Terms & Conditions
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    • 2020 Resource Centre
    • 2021 Resource Centre
    • Draft Program
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    Contact

    Please use the Contact Form to get in touch.
    PO Box 329, Ashmore City, 4214
    +61 7 5502 2068

    IMPORTANT DATES
    Presenter Submissions Close Friday 18 March 2022
    Presenter Acceptances Due Tuesday 5 April 2022
    Presenter Registrations Due Friday 8 April 2022
    Program Available Thursday 14 April 2022
    Early Bird Pricing Ends Friday 20 May 2022
    Scholarship Applications Close Friday 27 May 2022

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