Published Tuesday, 28 October, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
New Bligh Government strategies to secure future of regional QLD
The State Government is on a mission to promote Queensland’s regions as great places to ‘work, live and play’.
Regional Development Minister Desley Boyle released in Cairns today a regional economic health snapshot and the first of five profiles for high growth regions of Queensland.
“These profiles are designed to entice investors, industry and individuals to move to regional Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
“Combined, the five profiles form a strategy aimed at ensuring prosperity and sustainable growth in Queensland’s regions.
“This is further evidence of the Bligh Government’s commitment to regional Queensland.
“Cairns, Townsville, Mackay/Whitsundays, Rockhampton/Gladstone, and Wide Bay will all be receiving these profiles as part of plans to build a stronger future for regional Queensland.
“The documents would be used to promote the regions nationally and internationally as desirable business and investment locations, as well as great places to live.
“Despite the current economic issues facing the world there are plenty of opportunities for economic and employment growth throughout the state.
“Under the Department of Regional Development we are working with local government and industry throughout the state to ensure they are supported and best positioned to grow.”
Ms Boyle said regional Queensland tended to rely on one to two key industries to support employment and the economy.
“We have identified and started growing new industries right throughout the state but now we need to support them by building a skilled workforce and attracting new investment,” Ms Boyle said.
“Whether it’s Townsville’s Strand, the Cairns Esplanade, whale watching or the Great Barrier Reef, each of our regions has something special to offer from a lifestyle point of view as well as from a business and industry perspective.”
Ms Boyle said the Cairns regional profile included regional economic development activities and would be used by regional planners, developers and decision makers.
“It not only paints a picture of a vibrant tropical region, but signposts the road we need to take in the future,” Ms Boyle said.
“While tourism continues to fuel the Cairns and Tropical North economy, diversification to other industries is already insulating the region from the market fluctuations that occur from time to time.
“We need to spread out efforts to grow new sectors in the economy such as mining and export of education.
“Work is already underway to boost growth industries such as marine, aviation and tropical expertise.”
Ms Boyle said with a population growing at a faster rate than South East Queensland, the Cairns area was now home to around 230,000 people.
“No longer just a place to come and play, Cairns has cemented its reputation as a place to come and stay,” she said.
The Profile also highlights major infrastructure projects currently underway such as the $446 million redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital, $67 million domestic terminal and $900,000 renewal of the Port Douglas Waterfront.
Ends
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor - 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Kirstie Maier – 3224 2007 or 0448 135 195
28 October 2008
Regional Development Minister Desley Boyle released in Cairns today a regional economic health snapshot and the first of five profiles for high growth regions of Queensland.
“These profiles are designed to entice investors, industry and individuals to move to regional Queensland,” Ms Boyle said.
“Combined, the five profiles form a strategy aimed at ensuring prosperity and sustainable growth in Queensland’s regions.
“This is further evidence of the Bligh Government’s commitment to regional Queensland.
“Cairns, Townsville, Mackay/Whitsundays, Rockhampton/Gladstone, and Wide Bay will all be receiving these profiles as part of plans to build a stronger future for regional Queensland.
“The documents would be used to promote the regions nationally and internationally as desirable business and investment locations, as well as great places to live.
“Despite the current economic issues facing the world there are plenty of opportunities for economic and employment growth throughout the state.
“Under the Department of Regional Development we are working with local government and industry throughout the state to ensure they are supported and best positioned to grow.”
Ms Boyle said regional Queensland tended to rely on one to two key industries to support employment and the economy.
“We have identified and started growing new industries right throughout the state but now we need to support them by building a skilled workforce and attracting new investment,” Ms Boyle said.
“Whether it’s Townsville’s Strand, the Cairns Esplanade, whale watching or the Great Barrier Reef, each of our regions has something special to offer from a lifestyle point of view as well as from a business and industry perspective.”
Ms Boyle said the Cairns regional profile included regional economic development activities and would be used by regional planners, developers and decision makers.
“It not only paints a picture of a vibrant tropical region, but signposts the road we need to take in the future,” Ms Boyle said.
“While tourism continues to fuel the Cairns and Tropical North economy, diversification to other industries is already insulating the region from the market fluctuations that occur from time to time.
“We need to spread out efforts to grow new sectors in the economy such as mining and export of education.
“Work is already underway to boost growth industries such as marine, aviation and tropical expertise.”
Ms Boyle said with a population growing at a faster rate than South East Queensland, the Cairns area was now home to around 230,000 people.
“No longer just a place to come and play, Cairns has cemented its reputation as a place to come and stay,” she said.
The Profile also highlights major infrastructure projects currently underway such as the $446 million redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital, $67 million domestic terminal and $900,000 renewal of the Port Douglas Waterfront.
Ends
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor - 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Kirstie Maier – 3224 2007 or 0448 135 195
28 October 2008