Locals add insights to propel aerospace growth

Published Monday, 16 May, 2016 at 09:15 AM

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Gold Coast businesses are having their say today about opportunities and challenges to accelerate the growth of Queensland’s burgeoning aerospace sector.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham joined local businesses for a workshop at Craig International Ballistics at Arundel today. Participants were providing feedback to inform an action plan to boost the aerospace sector.

“The Palaszczuk Government wants to diversify our economy and build the high-skill jobs of the future in high-tech growth sectors like aerospace,” Dr Lynham said.

“Aerospace generated $600 million for the state economy last year and provided 4500 direct jobs for Queenslanders in the aircraft component manufacturing and repair services sector alone.

“With the global market set to be worth US$352.5 billion by 2023, the growth potential for Queensland industry is exponential.

“The on-the-ground knowledge that local businesses like these at the Gold Coast today are able to impart is crucial in getting the policy settings and future actions right to grow this priority industry.”

Today’s workshop is the southernmost in a statewide series from Cairns to Toowoomba generating feedback to inform the action plan, due out later this year.

A number of Gold Coast businesses were participating in today’s workshop at the company’s Arundel premises.

Dr Lynham released the Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap discussion paper earlier this month to set the state on the flightpath towards being a multi-billion dollar aerospace hub in the Asia-Pacific.

Craig International Ballistics is Gold Coast industry leader in the supply and manufacture of armoured panels for aircraft, vehicles and people who has significantly grown their business over the past 18 months and increased their workforce from 8 to 30 staff.

The Queensland Aerospace 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan is one of six action plans under development as part of the Government’s Advance Queensland program.

Feedback is being taken on the aerospace discussion paper until Friday 27 May.