The day to day operations of the CYPDA are supervised by a Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, a number of Project Coordinators are employed to manage the various State and Australian government programs; whilst a Business Manager is responsible for administrative support. To ensure the the CYPDA management operate in the best interests of its members and the communities it represents, an up-to-date Strategic Plan focuses on the organisation’s priorities and maintains its principle mission and objectives. To achieve its strategic goals the CYPDA has entered into a number of projects.
The CYPDA continues to promote the development of important infrastructure in Cape York Peninsula. It recognises the upgrade to full bitumen standard of the Peninsula Development Road as the single most important infrastructure project for the region. The CYPDA continuously raises the need, in every possible forum, for improved infrastructure for Cape York Peninsula including power, roads and communication. There is unanimous acceptance that regional development cannot occur without the necessary infrastructure being in place.
Cape York Peninsula is a peopled wilderness offering a diversity of culture, language, environment and lifestyles that make it a truly unique place to visit. The Cape holds international significance for its conservation and tourism values being biologically the richest and least disturbed of the few large sparsely peopled areas left on the Australian continent. It therefore provides both an important insight into the evolutionary history of Australia and is nationally a key area for wilderness, heath land, rainforest, riparian and wetland conservation. CYPDA supports the development of an action plan for tourism in Cape York Peninsula and is working with regional and state tourism bodies to ensure that visitors to Cape York Peninsula are well-informed about the range of services and attractions on offer.
The Association aims to support other economic development organisations (EDO's) or groups in attaining their goals within Cape York Peninsula. CYPDA officers have provided support in the formation and operation of other groups including the Cooktown Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Peninsula Cattleman's Association and the Indigenous Tourism Network Bamanga Wawu-Wi Ghurrbi. Past undertakings have included facilitating the establishment of the Cape York Peninsula Live Export Group and assisting it through its incorporation process, coordinating the feasibility study for a meat processing facility in Weipa and a vehicle wash bay facility to prevent the spread of weeds from southern Australia.