Published Thursday, 31 January, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Building the Far North’s marine industry for the future
The Cairns and Far North Queensland Centre of Enterprise initiative is now targeting a world-class marine sector for the region.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle released the first plan for the region’s marine services sector at a launch in Cairns today.
“While we have a strong diverse industry here with established businesses and operators, what we haven’t had up to this point is a clear direction for long-term growth,” she said.
“The Far North is perfectly located and equipped to become an international force for marine services, this plan identifies the opportunities and barriers that need to be overcome.”
Ms Boyle said the Marine Services Sector Industry Action Plan released today would focus on three key areas:
• Raising the sector’s international profile to capture a greater share of global business
• Driving competitiveness by building capability and capacity
• Ensuring the appropriate infrastructure and regulatory environment are in place to enable sustainable business growth
“This plan has been a collaborative effort between government, industry and key stakeholders.
“This strong partnership ensure great economic employment results for the region,” she said.
Ms Boyle added activities under the plan will include working with the Superyacht Group – Great Barrier Reef to grow the superyacht charter and service sector and encouraging investment in a superyacht manufacturing facility in the region.
“We also hope to capture more refit and maintenance work in commercial and defence markets, promote our provedoring services to cruise ships, strengthen marine tourism and further develop and market our world-class marine training programs,” Ms Boyle said.
“And one of the first actions will be a comprehensive study of the current state of the industry with a view to development not only here in Cairns but in other key areas such as Weipa, Cooktown and the Torres Strait where we can take advantage of existing infrastructure.”
Ms Boyle said the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry was
already funding a number of initiatives that would now fall under the Action Plan.
“An Economic Profile of the Superyacht Industry in Far North Queensland and the Superyacht Industry Regulatory Impediments Project are both due for completion by March 2008,” she said.
“I am also looking forward to seeing the results of a viability study into the proposed Cairns International Marine Skills Centre which is due soon.
“These projects are all geared towards helping the region make more informed strategic decisions about the sector’s future – and they are clear evidence of the State Government’s commitment to building a strong, diverse and sustainable regional economy here in the Far North.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
31 January 2008
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle released the first plan for the region’s marine services sector at a launch in Cairns today.
“While we have a strong diverse industry here with established businesses and operators, what we haven’t had up to this point is a clear direction for long-term growth,” she said.
“The Far North is perfectly located and equipped to become an international force for marine services, this plan identifies the opportunities and barriers that need to be overcome.”
Ms Boyle said the Marine Services Sector Industry Action Plan released today would focus on three key areas:
• Raising the sector’s international profile to capture a greater share of global business
• Driving competitiveness by building capability and capacity
• Ensuring the appropriate infrastructure and regulatory environment are in place to enable sustainable business growth
“This plan has been a collaborative effort between government, industry and key stakeholders.
“This strong partnership ensure great economic employment results for the region,” she said.
Ms Boyle added activities under the plan will include working with the Superyacht Group – Great Barrier Reef to grow the superyacht charter and service sector and encouraging investment in a superyacht manufacturing facility in the region.
“We also hope to capture more refit and maintenance work in commercial and defence markets, promote our provedoring services to cruise ships, strengthen marine tourism and further develop and market our world-class marine training programs,” Ms Boyle said.
“And one of the first actions will be a comprehensive study of the current state of the industry with a view to development not only here in Cairns but in other key areas such as Weipa, Cooktown and the Torres Strait where we can take advantage of existing infrastructure.”
Ms Boyle said the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry was
already funding a number of initiatives that would now fall under the Action Plan.
“An Economic Profile of the Superyacht Industry in Far North Queensland and the Superyacht Industry Regulatory Impediments Project are both due for completion by March 2008,” she said.
“I am also looking forward to seeing the results of a viability study into the proposed Cairns International Marine Skills Centre which is due soon.
“These projects are all geared towards helping the region make more informed strategic decisions about the sector’s future – and they are clear evidence of the State Government’s commitment to building a strong, diverse and sustainable regional economy here in the Far North.
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
31 January 2008