Officially partners: JCU and Tablelands Regional Council

“This agreement formalises an already productive partnership,” JCU Vice Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding said.

“Tablelands Regional Council, along with Tablelands organisations and communities, have made JCU staff and students welcome in many endeavours that are of mutual benefit, including placements for our students in areas such as medicine, dentistry, allied health, education and veterinary science.

“JCU also conducts research on the Tablelands, in partnership with sectors including agriculture, natural resource management, and health and medicine. We look forward to continuing and growing our collaboration, and discussing ways in which we can support TRC’s vision for the region.”

Mayor Joe Paronella said TRC’s work with JCU’s Tropical Urban Design Studio was a good example of the mutual benefits of the existing collaboration, which will now be on a more formal footing.

“JCU students and staff have worked with us, along with local communities and professionals, to develop masterplans for Ravenshoe and Malanda. There are plans to work with Millaa Millaa next,” he said.

“This is a planning process that a small Council like ours couldn’t otherwise afford. These projects give the students invaluable experience, and each masterplan captures the aspirations of the community to protect their town’s heritage, support economic development, and plan infrastructure that is compatible with the local environment.

“This MoU will help us achieve other win-win results like those.”