Published Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
$10M State Government funding helps attract big names to Wide Bay Burnett
Attracting major players in the aviation and transport equipment manufacturing industries to the Wide Bay Burnett region will be bolstered by an additional $10 million in State Government funding to strengthen regional economies.
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced the funding as part of a new scheme to boost Queensland’s high growth regions.
“The new Regional Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme (RQIIS) will offer up to 100% payroll tax rebates and potential cash grants to firms relocating from outside the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is further evidence that the Bligh Government is looking after regional Queensland.
“The focus of RQIIS will be on targeting those firms who will build on and not detract from our existing industry capacity – firms with the expertise, the contracts and contacts to help take our local industries global.
“Building the region’s international profile as a world-class supplier of specialist aviation and transport equipment manufacturing will take full advantage of the region’s facilities which include four major airports and the unmanned aerial vehicle testing site at Kingaroy.
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be globally competitive.”
Ms Boyle said local firms would be encouraged to undertake R&D, adopt new high tech systems and improve productivity through the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) funding program.
“Up to $250,000 is available for existing businesses in priority sectors under BITI,” she said.
Ms Boyle added that key State Government initiatives for the region over the next 12 months included the finalisation of a regional land study to identify future industrial land and infrastructure development opportunities, and targeting domestic and international aviation businesses to move to the region.
“We will also promote the area’s aviation expertise in emerging technologies including the development of unmanned aerial vehicles via trade shows, business development missions and the targeting of aviation-related media,” Ms Boyle said.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Wide Bay Burnett economy.
“One of the many local success stories is the production of the Jabiru aircraft engine by Bundaberg-based engine manufacturer CAMIT.
“The Jabiru is Australia’s leading designed and manufactured aircraft engine, used in aircraft in 50 countries.
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the Wide Bay Burnett region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Townsville and the North West, Mackay Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland and the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Aviation infrastructure
• Available industrial land
• Closeness to transport and distribution corridors
• Skilled workforce and education facilities
• Reliable energy sources and water
• Potential for business expansion in advanced manufacturing
• Broadband infrastructure
“Strengthening industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy is key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Wide Bay Burnett region, which extends from the northern edge of the Sunshine Coast to the coastal haven of Agnes Waters, has a great deal to offer business.
“It also has a unique natural environment and an enviable climate.”
Ends
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor – 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Kirstie Maier - 3224 2007 or 0448 135 195
29 October 2008
Minister for Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced the funding as part of a new scheme to boost Queensland’s high growth regions.
“The new Regional Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme (RQIIS) will offer up to 100% payroll tax rebates and potential cash grants to firms relocating from outside the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is further evidence that the Bligh Government is looking after regional Queensland.
“The focus of RQIIS will be on targeting those firms who will build on and not detract from our existing industry capacity – firms with the expertise, the contracts and contacts to help take our local industries global.
“Building the region’s international profile as a world-class supplier of specialist aviation and transport equipment manufacturing will take full advantage of the region’s facilities which include four major airports and the unmanned aerial vehicle testing site at Kingaroy.
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be globally competitive.”
Ms Boyle said local firms would be encouraged to undertake R&D, adopt new high tech systems and improve productivity through the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) funding program.
“Up to $250,000 is available for existing businesses in priority sectors under BITI,” she said.
Ms Boyle added that key State Government initiatives for the region over the next 12 months included the finalisation of a regional land study to identify future industrial land and infrastructure development opportunities, and targeting domestic and international aviation businesses to move to the region.
“We will also promote the area’s aviation expertise in emerging technologies including the development of unmanned aerial vehicles via trade shows, business development missions and the targeting of aviation-related media,” Ms Boyle said.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Wide Bay Burnett economy.
“One of the many local success stories is the production of the Jabiru aircraft engine by Bundaberg-based engine manufacturer CAMIT.
“The Jabiru is Australia’s leading designed and manufactured aircraft engine, used in aircraft in 50 countries.
Member for Hervey Bay Andrew McNamara said the Wide Bay Burnett region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Townsville and the North West, Mackay Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland and the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Aviation infrastructure
• Available industrial land
• Closeness to transport and distribution corridors
• Skilled workforce and education facilities
• Reliable energy sources and water
• Potential for business expansion in advanced manufacturing
• Broadband infrastructure
“Strengthening industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy is key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy,” Mr McNamara said.
“The Wide Bay Burnett region, which extends from the northern edge of the Sunshine Coast to the coastal haven of Agnes Waters, has a great deal to offer business.
“It also has a unique natural environment and an enviable climate.”
Ends
Media contact:
Marcus Taylor – 3225 1005 or 0419 025 326
Kirstie Maier - 3224 2007 or 0448 135 195
29 October 2008