Published Thursday, 29 March, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
STATE GOVT TO DRIVE GROWTH OF WIDE BAY BURNETT’S AVIATION INDUSTRY
State Development Minister John Mickel today announced a new initiative designed to propel the Wide Bay Burnett’s aviation industry onto the world stage.
In Hervey Bay to launch the Centre of Enterprise for Wide Bay Burnett, Mr Mickel said aviation had been identified as one of the key industries to drive the economic development of the region.
“The Wide Bay Burnett region is emerging as Australia’s next major centre for general aviation,” Mr Mickel said.
“It’s for this reason that aviation as the first major focus of the region’s new Centre of Enterprise initiative.
“Together with the local industry, the Department of State Development will begin working on a new strategy to build a world-class aviation industry for Wide Bay Burnett.
“It is very clear by the work already carried out by the local industry that aviation has incredible potential here.”
Mr Mickel named the Wide Bay Burnett region as one of six Queensland Centres of Enterprise. The others are in the Darling Downs and South-West region, Cairns and Far North Queensland, Townsville and North West Queensland, Mackay and the Whitsundays, and Fitzroy and the Central West.
He said the Centre of Enterprise initiative would build on previous regional development activities.
These include the Wide Bay Burnett Aviation Investment and Reinvestment Action Plan and work of Aviation Wide Bay Reference Group.
“The purpose of our Centres of Enterprise initiative is to help promote individual strengths, create critical mass in key industries and attract new investors and businesses to the regions where the initiative will operate,” Mr Mickel said.
“Wide Bay Burnett has particular strengths in the design and manufacturing in light aircraft, has four major regional airports and new industrial estates with air side access.
“You've got Jabiru, Australia's largest manufacturer of sports aircraft and one of only five companies worldwide that manufacturer both airframes and aero engines.
“Then there's Seabird Aviation and its unique Seeker airborne surveillance craft.
“And Kingaroy is already internationally known for its developing unmanned aerial vehicle testing facility (Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation).
“Just last month Premier Beattie launched the inaugural Unmanned Aerial Vehicle challenge - Outback Rescue, to be held in September in Kingaroy. It’s open to students, hobbyists and film makers.
“The Competition is about designing and building a UAV and putting it through its paces in a hypothetical course that will involve dropping off emergency medical supplies to people lost in the bush.”
Mr Mickel applauded the strong working partnerships already in existence between local companies and acknowledged the support the councils in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Kingaroy have given the aviation and aerospace industry.
“Through the Centre of Enterprise initiative we want to build on the great spirit of cooperation and commitment to growth local industry has demonstrated,” he said.
“The Centre of Enterprise will also support other local industries including food processing, mining services and advanced manufacturing.
“The initiative will ensure greater access to departmental programs and services which will help boost growth.”
___________________________________
Media contact: Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784.
29 March, 2007
In Hervey Bay to launch the Centre of Enterprise for Wide Bay Burnett, Mr Mickel said aviation had been identified as one of the key industries to drive the economic development of the region.
“The Wide Bay Burnett region is emerging as Australia’s next major centre for general aviation,” Mr Mickel said.
“It’s for this reason that aviation as the first major focus of the region’s new Centre of Enterprise initiative.
“Together with the local industry, the Department of State Development will begin working on a new strategy to build a world-class aviation industry for Wide Bay Burnett.
“It is very clear by the work already carried out by the local industry that aviation has incredible potential here.”
Mr Mickel named the Wide Bay Burnett region as one of six Queensland Centres of Enterprise. The others are in the Darling Downs and South-West region, Cairns and Far North Queensland, Townsville and North West Queensland, Mackay and the Whitsundays, and Fitzroy and the Central West.
He said the Centre of Enterprise initiative would build on previous regional development activities.
These include the Wide Bay Burnett Aviation Investment and Reinvestment Action Plan and work of Aviation Wide Bay Reference Group.
“The purpose of our Centres of Enterprise initiative is to help promote individual strengths, create critical mass in key industries and attract new investors and businesses to the regions where the initiative will operate,” Mr Mickel said.
“Wide Bay Burnett has particular strengths in the design and manufacturing in light aircraft, has four major regional airports and new industrial estates with air side access.
“You've got Jabiru, Australia's largest manufacturer of sports aircraft and one of only five companies worldwide that manufacturer both airframes and aero engines.
“Then there's Seabird Aviation and its unique Seeker airborne surveillance craft.
“And Kingaroy is already internationally known for its developing unmanned aerial vehicle testing facility (Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation).
“Just last month Premier Beattie launched the inaugural Unmanned Aerial Vehicle challenge - Outback Rescue, to be held in September in Kingaroy. It’s open to students, hobbyists and film makers.
“The Competition is about designing and building a UAV and putting it through its paces in a hypothetical course that will involve dropping off emergency medical supplies to people lost in the bush.”
Mr Mickel applauded the strong working partnerships already in existence between local companies and acknowledged the support the councils in Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Kingaroy have given the aviation and aerospace industry.
“Through the Centre of Enterprise initiative we want to build on the great spirit of cooperation and commitment to growth local industry has demonstrated,” he said.
“The Centre of Enterprise will also support other local industries including food processing, mining services and advanced manufacturing.
“The initiative will ensure greater access to departmental programs and services which will help boost growth.”
___________________________________
Media contact: Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784.
29 March, 2007