Published Friday, 08 December, 2006 at 02:21 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
NEW STRATEGY DEVISED TO HELP BUSINESS IN FNQ
The Queensland Government has created a new strategy to help ensure the long-term future for business owners in far north Queensland who were devastated by Cyclone Larry.
The Cyclone Recovery and Renewal – Economic and Business Strategy was announced by the Premier Peter Beattie at the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with Cyclones – Queensland prepared at James Cook University, Cairns.
The strategy will boost long-term economic and business growth in the region and was developed in co-operation with regional industry groups, business associations and local governments.
“This input came from two business community forums staged by the Department of State Development and Trade and extensive one-on-one consultations with regional and industry groups,’’ Mr Beattie said.
The Premier said the Strategy’s initiatives include a ‘Natural Disaster Resilience Kit’ for business operators, which is available from today.
The Kit contains a brochure with information on becoming more resilient to natural disasters, as well as a poster that can be displayed in workplaces, and will be available through State Development Centres throughout Queensland.
“An online program makes up the bulk of the kit which will allow users to learn about risk management,” Mr Beattie said.
“The online program will allow users to complete a series of checklists and then use the information to complete a Natural Disaster Resilience Plan for their business.
“There is much that business owners can do to minimise the impact of a natural disaster. Having insurance, cleaning up your premises, ensuring your building is secure to protect equipment, and having a plan in place can all make a difference.”
The link to the online component of the Natural Disaster Resilience Kit can be accessed on the home page of www.sd.qld.gov.au or www.smartsmallbusiness.qld.gov.au.
The Premier said the strategy was endorsed by Cabinet this week. It reviews the impact of Cyclone Larry on the region’s economy and business community and outlines what is being done to revitalise the region and stimulate growth in the area.
It lists 87 activities, identified in partnership with local stakeholders, which are intended to renew and stimulate existing industries, explore the potential of new growth sectors and attract new investment in the area.
“A draft of the strategy was released to regional stakeholders for their consideration and discussion in September,” Mr Beattie said.
State Development Minister John Mickel added that as well as the strategy, the Department of State Development has implemented the Regional Business Development Scheme (RBDS) Cyclone Larry Special scheme to help with business recovery planning.
“Over 200 applications from local businesses for assistance under the scheme have been approved so far,” Mr Mickel said.
“The businesses assisted include many from the tourism and manufacturing sectors.
“Paronella Park at Mena Creek Falls near Innisfail, for example, is one organisation that received funding for its recovery planning. Now operating at around 90 per cent of its pre-cyclone capacity, it employs 42 people and is very important to the local economy.”
The Minister said the Department of State Development and Trade had also facilitated a series of Risk Management workshops throughout the region.
The workshops, which ran from early November to early December and attracted 101 attendees, targeted businesses in Innisfail, Cairns, Atherton, Kurrimine Beach, Tully, Mission Beach and Mareeba.
“These were free workshops which covered how to prepare for challenges and risks and how to create strategies to manage and reduce potential risks a business may face from a natural disaster such as Cyclone Larry,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contacts: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Mickel’s office 3224 7349
8 December 2006
The Cyclone Recovery and Renewal – Economic and Business Strategy was announced by the Premier Peter Beattie at the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with Cyclones – Queensland prepared at James Cook University, Cairns.
The strategy will boost long-term economic and business growth in the region and was developed in co-operation with regional industry groups, business associations and local governments.
“This input came from two business community forums staged by the Department of State Development and Trade and extensive one-on-one consultations with regional and industry groups,’’ Mr Beattie said.
The Premier said the Strategy’s initiatives include a ‘Natural Disaster Resilience Kit’ for business operators, which is available from today.
The Kit contains a brochure with information on becoming more resilient to natural disasters, as well as a poster that can be displayed in workplaces, and will be available through State Development Centres throughout Queensland.
“An online program makes up the bulk of the kit which will allow users to learn about risk management,” Mr Beattie said.
“The online program will allow users to complete a series of checklists and then use the information to complete a Natural Disaster Resilience Plan for their business.
“There is much that business owners can do to minimise the impact of a natural disaster. Having insurance, cleaning up your premises, ensuring your building is secure to protect equipment, and having a plan in place can all make a difference.”
The link to the online component of the Natural Disaster Resilience Kit can be accessed on the home page of www.sd.qld.gov.au or www.smartsmallbusiness.qld.gov.au.
The Premier said the strategy was endorsed by Cabinet this week. It reviews the impact of Cyclone Larry on the region’s economy and business community and outlines what is being done to revitalise the region and stimulate growth in the area.
It lists 87 activities, identified in partnership with local stakeholders, which are intended to renew and stimulate existing industries, explore the potential of new growth sectors and attract new investment in the area.
“A draft of the strategy was released to regional stakeholders for their consideration and discussion in September,” Mr Beattie said.
State Development Minister John Mickel added that as well as the strategy, the Department of State Development has implemented the Regional Business Development Scheme (RBDS) Cyclone Larry Special scheme to help with business recovery planning.
“Over 200 applications from local businesses for assistance under the scheme have been approved so far,” Mr Mickel said.
“The businesses assisted include many from the tourism and manufacturing sectors.
“Paronella Park at Mena Creek Falls near Innisfail, for example, is one organisation that received funding for its recovery planning. Now operating at around 90 per cent of its pre-cyclone capacity, it employs 42 people and is very important to the local economy.”
The Minister said the Department of State Development and Trade had also facilitated a series of Risk Management workshops throughout the region.
The workshops, which ran from early November to early December and attracted 101 attendees, targeted businesses in Innisfail, Cairns, Atherton, Kurrimine Beach, Tully, Mission Beach and Mareeba.
“These were free workshops which covered how to prepare for challenges and risks and how to create strategies to manage and reduce potential risks a business may face from a natural disaster such as Cyclone Larry,” Mr Mickel said.
Media contacts: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Mickel’s office 3224 7349
8 December 2006