No more campaign slogans nor roadside signs and no election in sight for another three years or so.

It’s a welcome breather for our city. We now enter a period of stability and delivery by all three tiers of government.

Whilst council’s advocacy efforts ramp up, publicly, during campaigns we never take our foot off the pedal when it comes to getting the best deal for Cairns.

Advocacy isn’t something you switch on and off when the votes are counted, it’s a year-round discipline.  A mix of strategy, persistence, and timing underpins everything from budget bids to elected members and ministerial briefings.  A whole raft of community and stakeholder engagement informs strategy along the way.

So, what is advocacy?

At its core, advocacy is the strategic pursuit of funding, infrastructure and policy change to meet the local need. It’s making sure our voice is heard in Brisbane and in Canberra; clearly and consistently. Speaking up. Getting results. Delivering what our city needs, when it needs it.

Across Council we are continually engaging with state and federal counterparts, business and industry leaders, and community groups to get the best outcomes for Cairns. It’s not about headlines – it’s about housing, infrastructure, jobs, liveability, and long-term sustainability.

A perfect example of our advocacy effort is the Cairns Water Security – Stage 1- project. Across the political divide and spanning several years funding of $390 million was secured from both the Queensland and Australian governments to deliver long-term water security for our growing city.

Our top advocacy priority right now is housing. Council is seeking significant investment in enabling infrastructure at Mount Peter – the city’s last greenfield growth corridor of its scale – to help unlock new housing supply and improve affordability for current and future residents.

Advocacy isn’t always loud. Often, it’s built on the back of quiet conversations, shared vision and steady relationships built over time.

Advocacy is about alignment. Knowing what our region needs, articulating it clearly, and working every channel and opportunity to make it happen. And it’s never done solo. Advocacy at Council is a team effort – involving elected members, senior leaders, technical experts, and the community itself.

When Team Cairns pulls together, we speak with a powerful voice.