Published Friday, 25 May, 2007 at 07:40 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Expanding boat show mirrors growth of Queensland marine industry
The incredible growth of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in recent years is testament to the significance of the marine industry to Queensland, Minister for State Development John Mickel said today.
In his address to the annual Smart State Marine Industry Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency this morning Mr Mickel said Queensland was becoming Australia’s boatbuilding powerhouse.
“Queensland is now responsible for 80% of Australia’s boat exports and its marine industry generates annual revenue in excess of $2.6 billion and employs some 11,000 people up and down our vast coastline,” he said.
“This year’s Boat Show promises to be an outstanding vehicle to promote Queensland’s marine expertise across all sectors of the industry from boat building, refitting and maintenance to marina infrastructure and marine technology.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland was fast developing an international reputation for the exceptional quality of workmanship on its vessels.
“Recently the luxury Australian superyacht Seafaris was awarded the top prize at the prestigious 2007 World Superyacht Awards in Venice,” he said.
“The vessel was fitted-out and finished in Brisbane by Furniture Manufacturing Company of Australia (FMCA), a subsidiary of Viking Industries Limited, who are also involved in the manufacture of custom designed furniture for hotels and special projects in addition to luxury yacht furnishings.”
Mr Mickel said superyachts were a particular growth sector being targeted for development by the State Government.
“The international superyacht fleet today numbers well over 7,000 and with our growing capacity to build, service and refit these multi-million dollar vessels Queensland is becoming an attractive alternative destination to the Caribbean and Mediterranean,” he said.
But Mr Mickel did issue a word of caution that all would not be “plain sailing for the industry” as international competition increased.
“We’ve got to really step up our commitment to working smarter, to generating a greater share of exports and to giving our workforce the skills to take on the world,” he said.
“To this end the State Government is currently aware of investment of more than $6 billion in Queensland’s marine infrastructure spanning 60 projects, including Horizon Shores, North East Business Park, Urangan, Port of Airlie and Bowen.
“This investment is both economically and regionally significant, and while the Government is mindful of the constraints these developments face, we plan to undertake an assessment of development approvals and other regulatory processes spanning local, state and federal jurisdictions to streamline the process and to better inform developers of future needs.
“The Marine Industry will also directly benefit from our Skills Formation Strategy, the Marine Supply Chain Project, the Boat Building Technology Roadmap and a host of other State Government programs committed to funding innovative firms and those developing new markets and export opportunities.”
Mr Mickel praised the Gold Coast’s marine industry for its efforts to safeguard its future.
“This year the State Government through the Gold Coast State Development Centre and the Marine Industries and Fibre Composites Unit will continue working with local stakeholders on a number of initiatives, including the planned Marine Development Centre at Coomera, working towards a long term solution to dredging and other marine infrastructure maintenance issues, and a host of other marine industry targeted programs,” he said.
This year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is set to break all records with the largest number of exhibitors ever in the Show’s 19 year history.
“Queensland companies are among more than 450 exhibitors in what is without a doubt the largest boat show of its type in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Mickel said.
“Last year the show generated sales in excess of $159 million and injected some $40 million into the local economy – I feel confident these figures will be easily surpassed this year and Queensland companies will be the big winners as national and international interest in our industry translates into new business.”
The Queensland Government has been a sponsor of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show since 2002.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
25 May, 2007
In his address to the annual Smart State Marine Industry Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency this morning Mr Mickel said Queensland was becoming Australia’s boatbuilding powerhouse.
“Queensland is now responsible for 80% of Australia’s boat exports and its marine industry generates annual revenue in excess of $2.6 billion and employs some 11,000 people up and down our vast coastline,” he said.
“This year’s Boat Show promises to be an outstanding vehicle to promote Queensland’s marine expertise across all sectors of the industry from boat building, refitting and maintenance to marina infrastructure and marine technology.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland was fast developing an international reputation for the exceptional quality of workmanship on its vessels.
“Recently the luxury Australian superyacht Seafaris was awarded the top prize at the prestigious 2007 World Superyacht Awards in Venice,” he said.
“The vessel was fitted-out and finished in Brisbane by Furniture Manufacturing Company of Australia (FMCA), a subsidiary of Viking Industries Limited, who are also involved in the manufacture of custom designed furniture for hotels and special projects in addition to luxury yacht furnishings.”
Mr Mickel said superyachts were a particular growth sector being targeted for development by the State Government.
“The international superyacht fleet today numbers well over 7,000 and with our growing capacity to build, service and refit these multi-million dollar vessels Queensland is becoming an attractive alternative destination to the Caribbean and Mediterranean,” he said.
But Mr Mickel did issue a word of caution that all would not be “plain sailing for the industry” as international competition increased.
“We’ve got to really step up our commitment to working smarter, to generating a greater share of exports and to giving our workforce the skills to take on the world,” he said.
“To this end the State Government is currently aware of investment of more than $6 billion in Queensland’s marine infrastructure spanning 60 projects, including Horizon Shores, North East Business Park, Urangan, Port of Airlie and Bowen.
“This investment is both economically and regionally significant, and while the Government is mindful of the constraints these developments face, we plan to undertake an assessment of development approvals and other regulatory processes spanning local, state and federal jurisdictions to streamline the process and to better inform developers of future needs.
“The Marine Industry will also directly benefit from our Skills Formation Strategy, the Marine Supply Chain Project, the Boat Building Technology Roadmap and a host of other State Government programs committed to funding innovative firms and those developing new markets and export opportunities.”
Mr Mickel praised the Gold Coast’s marine industry for its efforts to safeguard its future.
“This year the State Government through the Gold Coast State Development Centre and the Marine Industries and Fibre Composites Unit will continue working with local stakeholders on a number of initiatives, including the planned Marine Development Centre at Coomera, working towards a long term solution to dredging and other marine infrastructure maintenance issues, and a host of other marine industry targeted programs,” he said.
This year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is set to break all records with the largest number of exhibitors ever in the Show’s 19 year history.
“Queensland companies are among more than 450 exhibitors in what is without a doubt the largest boat show of its type in the Southern Hemisphere,” Mr Mickel said.
“Last year the show generated sales in excess of $159 million and injected some $40 million into the local economy – I feel confident these figures will be easily surpassed this year and Queensland companies will be the big winners as national and international interest in our industry translates into new business.”
The Queensland Government has been a sponsor of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show since 2002.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
25 May, 2007