GOVERNMENT APPROVES $125,000 FOR MACKAY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Published Wednesday, 14 February, 2007 at 09:13 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced the State Government would provide $125,000 to the Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation (MWREDC) as part of the Government’s continued support to the body.
This funding forms part of a four-year commitment to the Region to deliver strategic regional priorities and projects.
“The Corporation is the key development organisation for the region and has undergone significant changes in the past year to ensure that the needs of one of Queensland’s fastest growing areas are met,” he said.
The newly restructured Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation board is one of the strongest examples of industry leadership, with representatives from sugar, mining, manufacturing, tourism and construction industries.
“The Mackay and Whitsunday region recorded the highest economic growth of any region in Queensland in 2004/2005. In the same year, Mackay was the State’s leading export region and contributed $28,000 more per capita than the rest of Queensland.”
Mr Mickel was in Mackay to launch the Queensland Government’s Centres of Enterprise Initiative in the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
“I expect the MWREDC to play a significant role in the success of this Initiative as well as an instrumental role in a number of specific projects which benefit priority sectors in the region,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise would focus on Mackay and Whitsunday, Cairns and Far North Queensland, Fitzroy and Central West, Wide Bay Burnett and the Darling Downs and South-West.
“Overall, the Centres of Enterprise initiative will help to make businesses in the Mackay and Whitsunday region even more competitive.
“It’s about driving those industries that are going to set you apart from your competitors whether in other parts of Australia or indeed the world.”
Mr Mickel said the Centre of Enterprise in the Mackay and Whitsunday region would provide a number of benefits including:
• Building on the great regional partnerships already in place.
• Working the region’s strengths, targeting specific industry sectors and seizing opportunities for economic development.
• Focussing on a small number of initiatives that have the potential to deliver the biggest economic returns for the region and
• Getting results.
He said key businesses in Mackay like Anderson Industries, which he visited today, would also benefit from the Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“The company, which provides engineering and diesel workshop services to the coal mining industry, has experienced rapid growth since it was started in 1994 and now employs more than 300 people,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government and Austrade have been working with Anderson Industries to access export opportunities in China and to investigate emerging opportunities in India.
“Our Mackay State Development Centre has prepared an industry capability CD which was showcased at the International Mining and Machinery Exhibition in Kolkata, India that I attended in November 2006.”
“By focussing more attention, programs and services on the key industries of the region such as mining service providers, the Centres of Enterprise Initiative will help attract new businesses and create the critical mass necessary for accelerated industry growth,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel also announced the Mackay Area Industry Network would receive a $15,830 grant under the State Government’s Create It Make It Live It Careers in manufacturing campaign to set up a School and Manufacturing Industry Awareness Partnership.
The partnership will involve 11 schools and 11 companies in the region and will encourage more young people to pursue career in manufacturing.
Advisor Travelling with the Minister: Brett Raguse 0408 725 919
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
14 February, 2006
This funding forms part of a four-year commitment to the Region to deliver strategic regional priorities and projects.
“The Corporation is the key development organisation for the region and has undergone significant changes in the past year to ensure that the needs of one of Queensland’s fastest growing areas are met,” he said.
The newly restructured Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation board is one of the strongest examples of industry leadership, with representatives from sugar, mining, manufacturing, tourism and construction industries.
“The Mackay and Whitsunday region recorded the highest economic growth of any region in Queensland in 2004/2005. In the same year, Mackay was the State’s leading export region and contributed $28,000 more per capita than the rest of Queensland.”
Mr Mickel was in Mackay to launch the Queensland Government’s Centres of Enterprise Initiative in the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
“I expect the MWREDC to play a significant role in the success of this Initiative as well as an instrumental role in a number of specific projects which benefit priority sectors in the region,” he said.
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise would focus on Mackay and Whitsunday, Cairns and Far North Queensland, Fitzroy and Central West, Wide Bay Burnett and the Darling Downs and South-West.
“Overall, the Centres of Enterprise initiative will help to make businesses in the Mackay and Whitsunday region even more competitive.
“It’s about driving those industries that are going to set you apart from your competitors whether in other parts of Australia or indeed the world.”
Mr Mickel said the Centre of Enterprise in the Mackay and Whitsunday region would provide a number of benefits including:
• Building on the great regional partnerships already in place.
• Working the region’s strengths, targeting specific industry sectors and seizing opportunities for economic development.
• Focussing on a small number of initiatives that have the potential to deliver the biggest economic returns for the region and
• Getting results.
He said key businesses in Mackay like Anderson Industries, which he visited today, would also benefit from the Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“The company, which provides engineering and diesel workshop services to the coal mining industry, has experienced rapid growth since it was started in 1994 and now employs more than 300 people,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government and Austrade have been working with Anderson Industries to access export opportunities in China and to investigate emerging opportunities in India.
“Our Mackay State Development Centre has prepared an industry capability CD which was showcased at the International Mining and Machinery Exhibition in Kolkata, India that I attended in November 2006.”
“By focussing more attention, programs and services on the key industries of the region such as mining service providers, the Centres of Enterprise Initiative will help attract new businesses and create the critical mass necessary for accelerated industry growth,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel also announced the Mackay Area Industry Network would receive a $15,830 grant under the State Government’s Create It Make It Live It Careers in manufacturing campaign to set up a School and Manufacturing Industry Awareness Partnership.
The partnership will involve 11 schools and 11 companies in the region and will encourage more young people to pursue career in manufacturing.
Advisor Travelling with the Minister: Brett Raguse 0408 725 919
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
14 February, 2006