Published Tuesday, 15 July, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
State Govt delivers economic development funds for Cairns and region
The State Government has pledged $410,000 to diversify and strengthen the Cairns' regional economy.
Member for Cairns and Minister for Regional Development Desley Boyle today announced a new two-year funding agreement between the State Government and Advance Cairns.
“This funding will boost Advance Cairns to take the role as peak economic development organisation promoting Cairns and the region as an ideal place to work, live and do business,” Ms Boyle said.
“Recent airline cuts have confirmed to us how vulnerable our tourism based economy is and that we need to focus on other industries where we have a competitive advantage and which will provide a thriving economy in the future.
“This new funding is a response by the State Government to support issues raised in a special economic diversification meeting I called last month.
“This meeting was attended by government and business leaders and identified a range of opportunities that exist for Cairns and the Tropical North.
“The funding will enable Advance Cairns to manage specific projects and build on efforts already underway to diversify the local economy”
Early projects include:
• a strategy to attract investment and skills in the mining, industrial services and innovative industries sectors; and
• the development of a web-based business-to-business website designed to raise the profile of the region’s tropical expertise and assist local companies to win more international tenders.
“Advance Cairns will also work with local government to broaden the range of regional economic development projects to cover the Cassowary and Tablelands Councils,” she said.
“We want to think big – not just for Cairns but also for the other parts of our urban area that hold such promise, around Innisfail and Atherton, and around Mareeba and Mossman and we want to think big about the industries that can grow and strengthen and diversify our economy.
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Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said the agreement heralded a new era for Advance Cairns.
“This will give the organisation the ability to make a real difference to the long-term economic health of the region,” he said.
The funding to Advance Cairns has been provided through the Queensland Regional Development Initiative designed to promote regional economic development and sustainable growth.
Advance Cairns is a not-for-profit organisation focused on developing a vibrant and sustainable regional economy that promotes and facilitates diverse employment, growth, social and lifestyle opportunities.
ENDS
Media contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Advance Cairns: Ross Contarino, CEO, 4031 3999
15 July 2008
Member for Cairns and Minister for Regional Development Desley Boyle today announced a new two-year funding agreement between the State Government and Advance Cairns.
“This funding will boost Advance Cairns to take the role as peak economic development organisation promoting Cairns and the region as an ideal place to work, live and do business,” Ms Boyle said.
“Recent airline cuts have confirmed to us how vulnerable our tourism based economy is and that we need to focus on other industries where we have a competitive advantage and which will provide a thriving economy in the future.
“This new funding is a response by the State Government to support issues raised in a special economic diversification meeting I called last month.
“This meeting was attended by government and business leaders and identified a range of opportunities that exist for Cairns and the Tropical North.
“The funding will enable Advance Cairns to manage specific projects and build on efforts already underway to diversify the local economy”
Early projects include:
• a strategy to attract investment and skills in the mining, industrial services and innovative industries sectors; and
• the development of a web-based business-to-business website designed to raise the profile of the region’s tropical expertise and assist local companies to win more international tenders.
“Advance Cairns will also work with local government to broaden the range of regional economic development projects to cover the Cassowary and Tablelands Councils,” she said.
“We want to think big – not just for Cairns but also for the other parts of our urban area that hold such promise, around Innisfail and Atherton, and around Mareeba and Mossman and we want to think big about the industries that can grow and strengthen and diversify our economy.
…/2
Advance Cairns CEO Ross Contarino said the agreement heralded a new era for Advance Cairns.
“This will give the organisation the ability to make a real difference to the long-term economic health of the region,” he said.
The funding to Advance Cairns has been provided through the Queensland Regional Development Initiative designed to promote regional economic development and sustainable growth.
Advance Cairns is a not-for-profit organisation focused on developing a vibrant and sustainable regional economy that promotes and facilitates diverse employment, growth, social and lifestyle opportunities.
ENDS
Media contact: Marcus Taylor 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Advance Cairns: Ross Contarino, CEO, 4031 3999
15 July 2008