Townsville Community Cabinet took place on Sunday 25 May 2025
Thank you, Townsville!
Premier David Crisafulli and his Ministers visited Townsville in late May to discuss with residents, community stakeholders, business owners, and industry representatives, the priorities for Townsville and North Queensland.
More than 270 people attended Community Cabinet events, beginning with an afternoon tea, followed by 114 deputation meetings at Kirwan State High School.
Discussions included
- Veteran care
- Youth engagement
- Employment and training
- Sustainable housing and construction
- Disaster recovery
- Sport
- Support for regional and remote women
- Equitable and effective healthcare
- Support for schools
- Investment in regional arts and culture
- The sugar industry
- Economic development on Palm Island
The Queensland Government is listening to Queenslanders and delivering for the Townsville region across priority areas including community safety, small business, job security and reconciliation.
New laws boosting security for Townsville residents
Twenty additional offences of Adult Crime, Adult Time laws were passed in the Queensland Parliament.
There are now 33 youth offences under the Making Queensland Safer Laws as the Queensland Government focuses on breaking the cycle of crime through tough consequences, early intervention, and rehabilitation.
The Youth Crime Group (formerly Youth Crime Taskforce) enhances Queensland Police Service capability to tackle crime in North Queensland and around the State, targeting high-harm, serious repeat young offenders in crime hotspots.
The change delivers on the Queensland Government’s $15.4 million commitment over four years.
Secure Communities Partnership Program supporting small and family business
Premier Crisafulli confirmed the $40 million Secure Communities Partnerships Program, supporting councils to enhance security for, and deter criminal activity against, small and family businesses.
The program is part of the Small and Family Business First Action Statement, which is delivering more than $100 million in new Queensland Government investment.
Premier David Crisafulli, his Ministers, the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, and approximately 250 guests marked Queensland Small Business Month, by celebrating more than 12,300 small and family businesses, which account for more than 96 per cent of all enterprises in the Townsville region.
Partnership delivering a place to call home
The Queensland Government is supporting the Indigenous community housing provider Yumba-Meta to deliver homes in the suburb of Rasmussen.
Construction is underway on 24 social homes which are among 52 residences being delivered in Townsville with Queensland Government support.
The partnership provides safe, secure, and affordable homes for the First Nations community, contributing to the social housing pipeline across North Queensland, with more than 140 dwellings currently in construction or under contract.
Critical minerals supercharging North Queensland jobs
Construction is underway of an Australian-first critical minerals facility in Townsville which will generate regional jobs and power Queensland’s critical minerals capability.
The Queensland Resources Common User Facility at Cleveland Bay Industrial Park is expected to be operational by late 2026.
This will enable mining companies to test their mineral processing techniques on-site and progress samples to market, thereby fast-tracking commercial development opportunities and driving North Queensland’s economy into the future.
Advice on DFV reforms enhanced in Townsville
The inaugural meeting of a new independent domestic and family violence (DFV) advisory panel was held in May in Townsville.
The panel will offer practical advice on Queensland Government policy, and reforms to strengthen responses for DFV survivors and hold perpetrators to account.
The group includes professionals with extensive experience and diverse backgrounds including policing, legal, academic, and support services.
The panel will meet four times a year and identify priorities to ensure processes and systems are fit-for-purpose, leading to better outcomes for survivors.
Reconciliation grants supporting Townsville community groups
Cowboys Charity Limited and Centrals ASA Rugby League Club were among the Townsville recipients of funding through the 2025 Celebrating Reconciliation Grants initiative.
The Crisafulli Government supported 41 community organisations through the program which provided funding to Indigenous associations and corporations, schools, sporting clubs, and local businesses during Queensland Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June).
The Crisafulli Government is committed to practical reconciliation by delivering projects, designed in partnership with Indigenous leaders, which improve living standards in communities.
What the Townsville community will benefit from
Danelle Rosario
“We’re meeting with Minister Ros Bates to talk about key opportunities which we feel the state government can support to grow the international education and training sector for the Townsville region.”
Michelle Hobson
“I spoke with the Health Minister Tim Nicholls about Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, about systematic changes for diagnosis, early referrals, and multidisciplinary care. It was great to have a chat and raise awareness.”
Trevor Hyatt
“I met with Assistant Minister Janelle Poole, Minister Dale Last, and Premier David Crisafulli. The Premier knows how tough it is for small businesses, he’s sympathetic, and he assures me he’s going to make things get better for small business.”