Published Tuesday, 26 June, 2007 at 09:33 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
JOHNSTONE SHIRE TO BENEFIT FROM CYCLONE LARRY GRANTS
Four organisations in the Johnstone Shire are set to benefit from more than $190,000 under the State Government’s Cyclone Larry Special funding program.
Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced funding to Johnstone Shire Council, Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, Mission Beach Tourism and IBS Engineering Supplies.
“The region, particularly Innisfail, was hardest hit by the cyclone and some are finding it hard to get back on their feet,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government is hoping that through this funding program we’ll be able to give organisations and businesses the ability to not only rebuild but move forward with confidence and reinvigorate the local economy.”
Mr Mickel said more than $3 million is expected to be distributed over the coming year to businesses and regions affected by last year’s disaster.
This includes:
Johnstone Shire Council - $48,900
“The Council plans to produce an Industry Redevelopment and Investment Attraction Strategy for the region,” Mr Mickel said.
“Cyclone Larry had a devastating effect on two of the region’s two major economic sectors – primary industries and tourism.
“And in turn there was a considerable flow-on effect to the many businesses that support these sectors.”
Mr Mickel said the strategy was expected to identify ways to attract more investment to the region; outline long-term infrastructure needs; and develop strategies for collaborating effectively with other regional economic development organisations.
“This project was identified as a priority under the Cyclone Larry Recovery and Renewal Economic and Business Strategy developed by the Department of State Development on behalf of the Strategic Industry Directions Forum,” he said.
Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism - $44,818
“The Chamber is very keen to get the message out to the community that Innisfail is back in business,” Mr Mickel said.
“This funding will enable the Chamber to step up its ‘I’m a real local’ campaign to encourage local people to come back to Innisfail for all their goods and services.”
Mr Mickel said Innisfail’s business community did take some time to recover after the cyclone, prompting a large number of shoppers finding new sources for goods and services.
“This campaign will focus on building a sense of pride in the region’s retail and commercial sectors,” he said.
“Traditionally local business people have always been very supportive of the local communities they serve – now it’s time for the members of those communities to help these businesses get back on their feet.
“We want a strong vibrant economy for Innisfail – that’s when the new business and the new jobs will come – ‘I’m a real local’ is a great campaign to really build a sense of local pride and commitment to growing Innisfail.”
Mission Beach Tourism - $50,000
Mr Mickel said businesses in the region were set to benefit from the $50,000 grant to Mission Beach Tourism.
“In the eight weeks following Cyclone Larry the organisation’s Visitor Information Centre recorded a drop in visitor numbers and sales figures of 80%,” he said.
“While visitation to the region is back up to about 80% on previous years a number of operators have been significantly affected and many aren’t in a position to effectively market their products to attract new visitors.
“A Tourism Marketing Research Strategy will help develop marketing campaigns, test strategies and link members more effectively with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Queensland.”
Mr Mickel said members would then be able to adopt tried and tested marketing strategies likely to generate new business for the region.
IBS Engineering Supplies - $49,460
IBS Engineering of Innisfail will use part of its funding to determine the feasibility of establishing a North Queensland Centre of Engineering Excellence.
“This is an exciting concept for the region,” Mr Mickel said.
“Building engineering expertise and employment opportunities in North Queensland will help to not only strengthen the industry but give local firms the confidence to move in new directions in search of more profitable markets – what they need to do to guarantee their sustainability.”
Mr Mickel said IBS was one of hundreds of local firms hit hard by Cyclone Larry.
“The company faced significant damage to its facilities and then ongoing loss of business as it devoted time and resources to rebuilding,” he said.
“This has been a difficult time for the engineering sector and I commend the Seawright family for spearheading an industry-wide initiative that could really help many local firms move forward successfully.”
IBS will also use part of its funding to develop a new company website.
Organisation contacts:
Johnstone Shire Council: Kelly O’Kane 07 4030 2222
Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism: Margaret Darveniza 07 4061 3368 or 0409 343 209
Mission Beach Tourism: Sandal Hayes 4068 7099 or 0409 588 715
IBS Engineering: Bill Seawright: 07 4061 3188 or 0427 634800
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
June 26, 2007
Minister for State Development John Mickel today announced funding to Johnstone Shire Council, Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, Mission Beach Tourism and IBS Engineering Supplies.
“The region, particularly Innisfail, was hardest hit by the cyclone and some are finding it hard to get back on their feet,” Mr Mickel said.
“The State Government is hoping that through this funding program we’ll be able to give organisations and businesses the ability to not only rebuild but move forward with confidence and reinvigorate the local economy.”
Mr Mickel said more than $3 million is expected to be distributed over the coming year to businesses and regions affected by last year’s disaster.
This includes:
Johnstone Shire Council - $48,900
“The Council plans to produce an Industry Redevelopment and Investment Attraction Strategy for the region,” Mr Mickel said.
“Cyclone Larry had a devastating effect on two of the region’s two major economic sectors – primary industries and tourism.
“And in turn there was a considerable flow-on effect to the many businesses that support these sectors.”
Mr Mickel said the strategy was expected to identify ways to attract more investment to the region; outline long-term infrastructure needs; and develop strategies for collaborating effectively with other regional economic development organisations.
“This project was identified as a priority under the Cyclone Larry Recovery and Renewal Economic and Business Strategy developed by the Department of State Development on behalf of the Strategic Industry Directions Forum,” he said.
Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism - $44,818
“The Chamber is very keen to get the message out to the community that Innisfail is back in business,” Mr Mickel said.
“This funding will enable the Chamber to step up its ‘I’m a real local’ campaign to encourage local people to come back to Innisfail for all their goods and services.”
Mr Mickel said Innisfail’s business community did take some time to recover after the cyclone, prompting a large number of shoppers finding new sources for goods and services.
“This campaign will focus on building a sense of pride in the region’s retail and commercial sectors,” he said.
“Traditionally local business people have always been very supportive of the local communities they serve – now it’s time for the members of those communities to help these businesses get back on their feet.
“We want a strong vibrant economy for Innisfail – that’s when the new business and the new jobs will come – ‘I’m a real local’ is a great campaign to really build a sense of local pride and commitment to growing Innisfail.”
Mission Beach Tourism - $50,000
Mr Mickel said businesses in the region were set to benefit from the $50,000 grant to Mission Beach Tourism.
“In the eight weeks following Cyclone Larry the organisation’s Visitor Information Centre recorded a drop in visitor numbers and sales figures of 80%,” he said.
“While visitation to the region is back up to about 80% on previous years a number of operators have been significantly affected and many aren’t in a position to effectively market their products to attract new visitors.
“A Tourism Marketing Research Strategy will help develop marketing campaigns, test strategies and link members more effectively with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Tourism Queensland.”
Mr Mickel said members would then be able to adopt tried and tested marketing strategies likely to generate new business for the region.
IBS Engineering Supplies - $49,460
IBS Engineering of Innisfail will use part of its funding to determine the feasibility of establishing a North Queensland Centre of Engineering Excellence.
“This is an exciting concept for the region,” Mr Mickel said.
“Building engineering expertise and employment opportunities in North Queensland will help to not only strengthen the industry but give local firms the confidence to move in new directions in search of more profitable markets – what they need to do to guarantee their sustainability.”
Mr Mickel said IBS was one of hundreds of local firms hit hard by Cyclone Larry.
“The company faced significant damage to its facilities and then ongoing loss of business as it devoted time and resources to rebuilding,” he said.
“This has been a difficult time for the engineering sector and I commend the Seawright family for spearheading an industry-wide initiative that could really help many local firms move forward successfully.”
IBS will also use part of its funding to develop a new company website.
Organisation contacts:
Johnstone Shire Council: Kelly O’Kane 07 4030 2222
Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism: Margaret Darveniza 07 4061 3368 or 0409 343 209
Mission Beach Tourism: Sandal Hayes 4068 7099 or 0409 588 715
IBS Engineering: Bill Seawright: 07 4061 3188 or 0427 634800
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
June 26, 2007