Improved health and wellbeing within the community is the core aim under a formalised agreement between Cairns Regional Council (CRC) and the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the two organisations, building on an existing partnership between the two organisations.
Mayor Bob Manning said Council would actively seek opportunities to join forces with CHHHS to promote public health-based campaigns and initiatives.
“As we become ever more focused on the liveability of our region, health is a major consideration.
“There is an opportunity for Council to work collaboratively with the CHHHS to implement programs that will improve health and wellbeing in our community.
“It makes sense to pool our resources and knowledge on projects that will directly benefit our community.”
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board Chair Bob Norman welcomed the strengthening of ties between the CHHHS and CRC.
“Both organisations work tirelessly to provide services to the community and there is a real opportunity for us to be learning from each other.
“There are so many opportunities for us to be working together in a range of areas and this MoU is a commitment to make the most and share our expertise and knowledge.
“By having this agreement we are pledging to make sure we look to each other more often and in more ways to make a difference to our community.”
Councillor Manning said there were also many gains to be made at a corporate level.
“Council and CHHHS are two of the Far North’s biggest employers, each providing essential services to the broader community.
“We have a responsibility to implement best-practice processes for financial management, customer interaction and risk management.
“These are areas in which we can work together to share knowledge, experience and resources for the betterment of each organisation.”
