CityLife Magazine Second Quarter 2020

CityLife FEATURE
Allan Dale
Professor of Tropical Regional
Development at The Cairns Institute, JCU
1. Over the years what is the one thing you have
come to appreciate about the city of Cairns?
I grew up at Trinity Beach, went to Cairns High, and was
away for over 20 years in my early career. This place is in
my blood, both because of the people who call it home,
the great industries we have and the stunning environment
and diverse culture we live in. In troubled and good times,
I’ve always felt that we live in a town with a very strong
sense of place. We pull together in the hard times, and
there are many leaders around town focussed on making
the place even better in the good times.
2. The region has experienced many tough times
throughout the years, but none quite like we are
experiencing now. What is one message you
would like to give to the people of Cairns at this
uncertain time?
I am old enough to remember the Pilot’s Strike and
more recently the Global Financial Crisis. COVID-19
is bigger and uglier - but we always can, and always
do, bounce back. The impact and recovery from these
disasters, however, can be made worse by some structural
problems in our economy and the way the whole region
works (i.e. from the Torres Strait to the Gulf to the
Cassowary Coast). These include the lack of a clear
“whole of region” vision for the future, limited planning
for new agricultural development, infrastructure gaps,
and significant energy and cost-of-living issues. I think it
is important that we start planning for how we deal with
some of these bigger picture structural issues now so that
we are better positioned to bounce back post-COVID.
This will mean working in new and more collaborative
ways across industry sectors and with state and federal
governments.
3. Leaders like yourself have united to fight for
the region in what are unprecedented times –
what role are you and your organisation playing
in all of this?
Universities have a very important role to play during
the COVID response and recovery. They play key roles
in providing the evidence for good decision making
and in lifting the capacity of decision making through
quality education. Through my current appointment to
the Advisory Committee to the Taskforce reviewing the
Northern Australian agenda, I want to make sure that
these key structural issues facing the future of our region
are at the front and centre of the national response.
4. While there are many negatives about the
current situation we all find ourselves in – what
is one thing you are looking forward to doing
while in isolation?
I largely have worked from home for the last 10 years, but
the constant travel is a killer. Being in isolation with my
partner Michele and with both kids back from Brisbane,
COVID has in some ways delivered a blessing in disguise
– together with the family in a great location with good
internet!
CityLife 25 Magazine