WHILE Townsville is rolling in more than $500m after Tuesday's Budget, Cairns and the Far North has been 'dudded' receiving little more than $20m for infrastructure spending.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce boss Jeremy Blockey said he was gutted, particularly as Townsville had been given $250m from the Federal Government to upgrade its hospital.

"We have had a major upheaval in this region to get a redevelopment of our hospital by selling the airport at a time when its price was well below market potential," he said.

"Yet, six months later, we have a $250m gift to Townsville hospital which is less than 10 years old."

Other Townsville Budget boosts include $180m to upgrade military bases, $50m to the Australian Institute of Marine Science and $50 million for roads.

It is understood a further $60m will be spent on navy seaports.

Documents from Leichhardt MP Jim Turnour show that $20.7m will be spent on infrastructure in the Far North.

Cairns economist Bill Cummings said per capita, the Far North should have netted about $260m.

"On a per capita basis the Townsville region is a smaller economy," he said.

"There is some money in Kennedy but nothing would push the figures up anywhere near $260m – it looks like we have been dudded."

Mr Blockey said the $20m was a drop in the ocean when it came to the Federal Government’s commitment to nation building.

Advance Cairns chief executive Ross Contarino said he was disappointed the region had not been singled out for major projects, particularly ones such as upgrading the Cardwell Range.

Mr Turnour could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

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