STATE GOVERNMENT TO FUND SUPER YACHT INDUSTRY STUDY
Published Tuesday, 31 July, 2007 at 02:00 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
The State Government will fund a study, based in Cairns, to help boost the Super Yacht industry.
Acting State Development Minister and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle today announced funding of $30,657 to The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef which will carry out the study.
“Led by Ley James the Super Yacht industry is a local success story. More than 100 super yachts have visited Cairns in the last two years – more than any other city in Australia.
“There’s enormous potential for further growth but there are some structural problems which have troubled the industry for a long time.
“These centre around visa requirements, taxation, and customs.
“There seems to be confusion about exactly what’s required in terms of visas for crews working on super yachts.
“We’ve also heard that there is confusion about the tax implications of charter work while super yachts are here.
“And there have been complaints that customs procedures differ from port to port.
“The study will talk to people involved in super yachts across the state to get an accurate picture of these problems and how they are affecting the industry.
“Then we can have a firm basis to know what changes need to be made and by whom and thereby boost the industry even further.
The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef is well placed to run this study and will work with marine industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies,” Ms Boyle said.
The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef was formed in 2000 under the auspices of the Department of State Development and CREDC. It is the largest super yacht industry group in Australia with more than 70 organisations working together to develop and market the industry from Tropical North Queensland.
“The funding from the Department of State Development reaffirms our Government’s commitment to the economic growth and development of Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“It is the result of recent meetings in Cairns between executives from the Department of State Development and leaders of local industry clusters.
“These meetings were focussed on projects that will benefit the regional economy.
“The Cairns State Development Centre (SDC) will maintain a close working relationship with industry clusters including aviation, tropical expertise, international education and marine.”
Ms Boyle said that regional aviation services and growing opportunities in tropical expertise are other sectors identified as key areas of focus for the Cairns and Far North Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“There are a number of exciting projects in the wind,” Ms Boyle said.
“There will be more significant announcements in the near future. We are looking at initiatives to enhance innovation, increase productivity and exports, attract new investment, build on regional strengths and boost knowledge.”
Ms Boyle also reiterated the Queensland Government’s promise to ensure at least $250,000 per year remains in the region ($250,000 annual funding was previously provided to the CREDC).
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef: Ley James, Chair, 0418 742 851
31 July, 2007
Acting State Development Minister and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle today announced funding of $30,657 to The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef which will carry out the study.
“Led by Ley James the Super Yacht industry is a local success story. More than 100 super yachts have visited Cairns in the last two years – more than any other city in Australia.
“There’s enormous potential for further growth but there are some structural problems which have troubled the industry for a long time.
“These centre around visa requirements, taxation, and customs.
“There seems to be confusion about exactly what’s required in terms of visas for crews working on super yachts.
“We’ve also heard that there is confusion about the tax implications of charter work while super yachts are here.
“And there have been complaints that customs procedures differ from port to port.
“The study will talk to people involved in super yachts across the state to get an accurate picture of these problems and how they are affecting the industry.
“Then we can have a firm basis to know what changes need to be made and by whom and thereby boost the industry even further.
The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef is well placed to run this study and will work with marine industry stakeholders and relevant government agencies,” Ms Boyle said.
The Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef was formed in 2000 under the auspices of the Department of State Development and CREDC. It is the largest super yacht industry group in Australia with more than 70 organisations working together to develop and market the industry from Tropical North Queensland.
“The funding from the Department of State Development reaffirms our Government’s commitment to the economic growth and development of Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“It is the result of recent meetings in Cairns between executives from the Department of State Development and leaders of local industry clusters.
“These meetings were focussed on projects that will benefit the regional economy.
“The Cairns State Development Centre (SDC) will maintain a close working relationship with industry clusters including aviation, tropical expertise, international education and marine.”
Ms Boyle said that regional aviation services and growing opportunities in tropical expertise are other sectors identified as key areas of focus for the Cairns and Far North Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“There are a number of exciting projects in the wind,” Ms Boyle said.
“There will be more significant announcements in the near future. We are looking at initiatives to enhance innovation, increase productivity and exports, attract new investment, build on regional strengths and boost knowledge.”
Ms Boyle also reiterated the Queensland Government’s promise to ensure at least $250,000 per year remains in the region ($250,000 annual funding was previously provided to the CREDC).
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Super Yacht Group – Great Barrier Reef: Ley James, Chair, 0418 742 851
31 July, 2007