Who should become a member?
We encourage any Council, organisation, business or individual based in the Gulf Savannah region or with an interest in developing the region to become a member.
Our members come from a range of industries, business backgrounds, representative groups and regions.
Why become a member
Our individual members receive:
- Advocacy and support from Gulf Savannah Development on your behalf.
- Tailored support for your needs and investment in initiatives that directly benefit you.
- Opportunities to be involved in advocacy and decision making and to share ideas to help guide strategy, operations and project delivery.
- Valuable connections with other regional stakeholders across multiple sectors.
- Invitations to networking events and opportunities.
- Regular updates and communications.
- Complimentary Ambassador of Tourism membership with TTNQ.
- Invitations to Management Committee (Board) meetings (Gulf Council and Savannah Diamond members only) to help govern the organisation and set strategy and direction.
- All members are eligible to be elected to the Management Committee.
Your membership contributes to the whole region by:
- Supporting Gulf Savannah Development, the only organisation established with the sole purpose to advocate for the Gulf Savannah region and to work with stakeholders and members to deliver sustainable economic development projects.
- Driving a significant return of investment for the region - in 2024-25, each $1 in membership revenue is delivering an actual return on investment of $16.19 into the region. That’s an ROI of 1,619%.
- Advancing the interests of Councils, business, industry, community and visitors within the Gulf Savannah region.
- Providing access to Remote Area Board funding to progress economic development, regional projects and priorities. Our not-for-profit status also provides access to funding that Councils and other regional stakeholders cannot access.
Become a GSD Member today
Membership with Gulf Savannah Development (GSD) is open to all businesses, local Government agencies, industry and professional organisations.
Membership allows GSD to continue to seek out opportunities, progress key projects and assists in attracting and leveraging resources to progress economic development goals.
Active members allows GSD to be the voice for the Gulf by bringing together the knowledge and support of all stakeholders on a range of issues.
A few other benefits include
- GSD’s CEO has significant government experience and extensive leadership skills developing industry and infrastructure, attracting investment, managing programs, delivering projects and engaging stakeholders, and is steering the organisation through a new stage of its development. Members directly benefit from Neil’s expertise, contacts, commercial acumen and advocacy skills.
- Our CEO actively works in partnership with other economic development and representative organisations agencies in North Queensland, including Advance Cairns, Mount Isa-Townsville Economic Zone, several Regional Organisation of Councils/Alliance of Councils, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Outback Queensland, Natural Resource Management groups and Regional Development Australia.
- Gulf Savannah Development and members can select services to be delivered under any membership package, including delivery of agreed projects that will benefit the Gulf Savannah region. We also provides a fee for service consultancy service.
- Targeted grant and other funding opportunities are discussed with members. Members may receive expert advice and support to prepare grant applications.
Our current members include:
Council and partner members

Burke
Shire Council:
"Barramundi capital of Queensland"

Carpentaria
Shire Council:
where "Outback meets the Sea"

Doomadgee Aboriginal
Shire Council:
"The family community"

Etheridge
Shire Council:
"The Golden Heart of the Gulf"

Regional Express (REX Airlines):
Australia's largest independent airline, REX flies to 53 destinations including across the Gulf region
Diamond members

Floraville Downs:
a cattle station in the Gulf country

Ports North:
leads nine regional and remote ports in Far North Queensland and is dedicated to creating economic opportunities and connecting communities
Sapphire members

Mirabou Energy:
Transforming Communities With Energy
Platinum members

Cairns Airport:
one of Australia's leading regional airports, providing air links to regional, domestic and international destinations, including the Gulf

Sibanye Stillwater:
a multinational mining and metals processing group with a diverse portfolio of operations across five continents

Northern Australia Accommodation Solutions:
delivering high-quality, cost-efficient manufactured residential and commercial accommodation, built at a scale and timeline traditional construction cannot match

Regional Economic Advisory:
is passionate about unearthing new, evidence-based opportunities that help regional centres prosper long into the future

selectability:
a not-for-profit charity with a primary focus on improving mental wellbeing and contributing to suicide prevention across regional Queensland

Tirranna Springs Roadhouse:
Stay, Refuel & Relax - Burketown Accommodation, Camping & Fuel Stop
Small Business members

Ash's Holiday Units at Karumba:
your home away from home while you explore, relax and enjoy... fishing, birdwatching, walking and exploring, croc spotting, photography, and just getting away from it all

Cobbold Gorge:
in the heart of the Gulf Savannah region, a pioneering place, an ancient landscape inviting you to breathe in the bush and breathe out your worries - immerse yourself in the experience of a truly unique Outback Queensland holiday destination - offering guided tours and accommodation for people of all ages and abilities

Jubilee Metals:
brings together multiple exploration, discovery, and development of its gold projects in Queensland, including in Croydon Shire

Latara Motel:
nestled in Georgetown along the Savannah Way, Latara Motel is your gateway to adventure - discover an Outback Oasis: Your Savannah Way Haven

TerraPave:
revolutionising road construction for a sustainable future
Gold members

Balloon Aloft:
is partnering with Yagurli Tours for a hot air ballooning experience with a difference in the Winter months each year - take flight over the extraordinary landscape of Burketown in the Gulf of Carpentaria for a once in a lifetime ballooning experience

EVA Communications:
the go-to advisers who business and government call on when they want insightful, collaborative, and responsive consulting services

Gulf Zone Voluntary Marine Rescue:
based in Burketown and Karumba, first response units for serious emergencies at sea

Harbak:
empowering businesses in waste management, recycling and circular economy, Harbak provides practical and commercially sound advice for sustainable growth

Hawkins Transport:
established in 1998 with depots in Normanton, Mount Isa, Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane, they are "Proud to service the Gulf".

Just Lord's:
Normanton Vehicle Hire and Airport Accommodation - the change you've been looking for!

Marc Adamson Plumbing:
a reliable plumbing service in North-West Queensland that has been providing premium and affordable plumbing solutions to customers for over 10 years

Moray & Agnew Lawyers:
they have a proven ability to provide exceptional legal strategies and solutions for their clients

North West Phosphate:
the largest phosphate resource holding in Australia and is committed to improving availability of this vital resource for agriculture both domestically and internationally.

Savannah Lodge:
located in Burketown and framed by lush, tropical gardens, Savannah Lodge provides guests with all the necessities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay

The Savannahlander:
one of the great rail journeys in Australia - departing weekly and travelling through the Savannah country on a 1960's classic "silver bullet" railmotor
Tourism supporter members

Hells Gate Roadhouse:
a family owned roadhouse located on the Cliffdale Station, 50km east of the Northern Territory/ Queensland border, has been welcoming travellers since 1986

Kerry D Fishing Charters:
based in Karumba - "You'll have the time of your life with Kerry D Fishing Charters!"
GSD's regional partners
GSD's partnership approach to advocacy, facilitation and project delivery means we actively collaborate with many regional organisations:

Tourism Tropical North Queensland:
the Regional Tourism Organisation marketing the Gulf Savannah region and supporting GSD to develop a Gulf Savannah Tourism Collective - GSD is a reciprocal member

Advance Cairns:
the peak independent, non-partisan advocacy and economic development organisation for Far North Queensland, including the entire Gulf Savannah region -
GSD is a reciprocal member

RDA Townsville & North West Qld:
facilitates and advocates for sustainable economic development by collaborating with regional stakeholders in NWQ, including the parts of the Gulf Savannah region - GSD is a reciprocal member

RDA Tropical North:
provides regional leadership to drive development of infrastructure and industry to strengthen the Far North Queensland economy, including parts of the Gulf Savannah region -
GSD is a reciprocal member

North West Qld Regional Organisation of Councils:
the representative organisation for the councils of the North West Queensland region

Far North Qld Regional Organisation of Councils:
fosters cooperation and resource sharing between FNQ Councils and effectively advocates regional positions and priorities

Gulf Savannah Natural Resource Management:
a non-profit natural resource management company and registered charity, working with people and communities to create opportunities for current and future generations -
GSD is a reciprocal member

Outback Queensland:
the Regional Tourism Organisation marketing outback tourism, including parts of the Gulf Savannah region

Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone:
researches and pursues projects that further economic and social development goals across the entire region -
GSD is a reciprocal member

Townsville Enterprise Limited:
the peak economic development and destination management organisation for Townsville North Queensland -
GSD is a reciprocal member

Southern Gulf Natural Resource Management:
a not-for-profit community-based organisation working through partnerships to implement strategic planning and investment activities that care for our region’s natural and cultural assets -
GSD is a reciprocal member

Cairns Chamber of Commerce:
supports the Gulf Savannah region by administering the Designated Area Migration Agreement for Tropical North Queensland -
GSD is a reciprocal member

The Savannah Way:
a 3,700 kilometre route linking the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley with Cairns in Tropical North Queensland via the natural wonders of Australia’s tropical savannahs and the Northern Territory’s Top End -
GSD's CEO is a Board member