MINISTER NAMES CAIRNS AND FAR NORTH AS CENTRE OF ENTERPRISE
Published Thursday, 09 November, 2006 at 08:27 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Cairns and the Far North has been named as one of Queensland’s new Centres of Enterprise in the State Government’s ongoing commitment to driving regional economic development.
Speaking at a Business Breakfast in Cairns this morning, Minister for State Development John Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise concept would build on the valuable work already carried out through the Growing Regional Business and Leading Smart Regions planning processes.
“Centres of Enterprise is about taking programs like Leading Smart Regions to the next level - It’s about really driving those industries that are going to set you apart from other parts of Queensland, the nation and indeed the world,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said key principles of the Centres of Enterprise model of development would be:
• Building on the great regional partnerships already in place
• Working on the regions’ strengths, targeting specific industries
• Focusing efforts on a small number of initiatives with the greatest potential for economic benefit
“This process is really about seizing the opportunities out there for local industry, there will be clear actions and it will be about getting results for Cairns,” he said.
While in Cairns Mr Mickel will also be launching the AEC group’s study into Far North Queensland’s Engineering/Steel Fabrication sector.
“This is a great example of a local industry sector determined to move forward,” he said.
“Currently the sector employs some 3,000 people in about 135 businesses with annual sales of more than $462 million.
“There is the potential for this sector to grow by some 50% over the next 10 years but only if key barriers to growth are addressed now, such as the ability to attract and retain skilled labour, the need for operators to develop their business skills, the importance of investing in new technology and improving access to necessary equipment.
“Now armed with a comprehensive picture of the sector the local State Development Centre and industry can begin putting the steps in place to develop the sector and attract new investment into the area.
“I really commend all involved in this study. It’s encouraging to see such a strong commitment to industry growth and I’m sure the economic benefits will flow to the region in the coming years.”
Mr Mickel said a local forum would be held in the coming months to explore the Centres of Enterprise concept further and involve local leaders and decision makers in the process.
“Establishing six Centres of Enterprise throughout Queensland is the Beattie Government delivering on its election promise to ramp up its support for regional economic development,” Mr Mickel said.
For more information contact the State Development Centre Cairns on 4048 1111.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
9 November, 2006
Speaking at a Business Breakfast in Cairns this morning, Minister for State Development John Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise concept would build on the valuable work already carried out through the Growing Regional Business and Leading Smart Regions planning processes.
“Centres of Enterprise is about taking programs like Leading Smart Regions to the next level - It’s about really driving those industries that are going to set you apart from other parts of Queensland, the nation and indeed the world,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said key principles of the Centres of Enterprise model of development would be:
• Building on the great regional partnerships already in place
• Working on the regions’ strengths, targeting specific industries
• Focusing efforts on a small number of initiatives with the greatest potential for economic benefit
“This process is really about seizing the opportunities out there for local industry, there will be clear actions and it will be about getting results for Cairns,” he said.
While in Cairns Mr Mickel will also be launching the AEC group’s study into Far North Queensland’s Engineering/Steel Fabrication sector.
“This is a great example of a local industry sector determined to move forward,” he said.
“Currently the sector employs some 3,000 people in about 135 businesses with annual sales of more than $462 million.
“There is the potential for this sector to grow by some 50% over the next 10 years but only if key barriers to growth are addressed now, such as the ability to attract and retain skilled labour, the need for operators to develop their business skills, the importance of investing in new technology and improving access to necessary equipment.
“Now armed with a comprehensive picture of the sector the local State Development Centre and industry can begin putting the steps in place to develop the sector and attract new investment into the area.
“I really commend all involved in this study. It’s encouraging to see such a strong commitment to industry growth and I’m sure the economic benefits will flow to the region in the coming years.”
Mr Mickel said a local forum would be held in the coming months to explore the Centres of Enterprise concept further and involve local leaders and decision makers in the process.
“Establishing six Centres of Enterprise throughout Queensland is the Beattie Government delivering on its election promise to ramp up its support for regional economic development,” Mr Mickel said.
For more information contact the State Development Centre Cairns on 4048 1111.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
9 November, 2006