Published Wednesday, 27 June, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
NEW QLD REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ROLL-OUT COMPLETE
Minister for State Development John Mickel’s visit to Cairns today completes the roll-out of the Government’s Centres of Enterprise initiative across Queensland.
Cairns and the Far North is now one of six Queensland region’s earmarked for strategic regional development – where government and industry resources will be targeted into those industries with the potential to reap the greatest rewards for local economies.
The six Queensland regions are: Cairns and the Far North, Townsville and North West, Mackay and Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Central West, Wide Bay Burnett, and Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
“The Centres of Enterprise initiative meets an election commitment the Queensland Government made to building regional Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise initiative was regarded as a highly effective way to channel regional development activities.
“From the State Government’s perspective, the six regions we’ve identified throughout Queensland have the potential to become economic powerhouses in their own right,” he said.
“Naming a region as a Centre of Enterprise is about encouraging local business and industry to start seeing the region as one of great economic opportunity.
“If we can channel our resources into very specific projects that are going to really drive our key industries that’s going to mean world-class operations, more highly skilled jobs, greater opportunities for workers and ultimately more wealth for the region.”
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise initiative was being driven by the Department of State Development in close consultation with regional communities.
“What is perhaps most fundamental about the Centres of Enterprise approach to regional development is that it is regionally driven. It’s not about the State Government coming in and telling local industry what to do and how to do it,” he said.
“Local State Development Centres will be a source of information and support but the door is open for industry and business to really run with ideas and feel empowered to make the decisions and take the actions necessary to build wealth in their regions.”
Mr Mickel said extensive community consultation had now taken place in each of the six regions with priority industries sectors identified and agreed action plans well underway.
“These actions plans are going to form the basis of very specific activities designed to have a direct economic impact on the region,” he said.
“Over time other key industries may be identified in the regions – that will be part of the ongoing development of the Centres of Enterprise Initiative.
“But the reality is we have to encourage each region to focus on the industries that it does best, that have the greatest potential to strengthen and help diversify the local economy and create a sustainable future for all residents.”
For more information about the Centres of Enterprise initiative contact your local State Development Centre or to go www.sd.qld.gov.au/smartregions
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
June 27, 2007
Cairns and the Far North is now one of six Queensland region’s earmarked for strategic regional development – where government and industry resources will be targeted into those industries with the potential to reap the greatest rewards for local economies.
The six Queensland regions are: Cairns and the Far North, Townsville and North West, Mackay and Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Central West, Wide Bay Burnett, and Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
“The Centres of Enterprise initiative meets an election commitment the Queensland Government made to building regional Queensland,” Mr Mickel said.
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise initiative was regarded as a highly effective way to channel regional development activities.
“From the State Government’s perspective, the six regions we’ve identified throughout Queensland have the potential to become economic powerhouses in their own right,” he said.
“Naming a region as a Centre of Enterprise is about encouraging local business and industry to start seeing the region as one of great economic opportunity.
“If we can channel our resources into very specific projects that are going to really drive our key industries that’s going to mean world-class operations, more highly skilled jobs, greater opportunities for workers and ultimately more wealth for the region.”
Mr Mickel said the Centres of Enterprise initiative was being driven by the Department of State Development in close consultation with regional communities.
“What is perhaps most fundamental about the Centres of Enterprise approach to regional development is that it is regionally driven. It’s not about the State Government coming in and telling local industry what to do and how to do it,” he said.
“Local State Development Centres will be a source of information and support but the door is open for industry and business to really run with ideas and feel empowered to make the decisions and take the actions necessary to build wealth in their regions.”
Mr Mickel said extensive community consultation had now taken place in each of the six regions with priority industries sectors identified and agreed action plans well underway.
“These actions plans are going to form the basis of very specific activities designed to have a direct economic impact on the region,” he said.
“Over time other key industries may be identified in the regions – that will be part of the ongoing development of the Centres of Enterprise Initiative.
“But the reality is we have to encourage each region to focus on the industries that it does best, that have the greatest potential to strengthen and help diversify the local economy and create a sustainable future for all residents.”
For more information about the Centres of Enterprise initiative contact your local State Development Centre or to go www.sd.qld.gov.au/smartregions
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
June 27, 2007