Published Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
$10M State Government funding helps attract Townsville region investment
Attracting major players in the tropical science, mining and tropical expertise industries to Townsville and the North West will be bolstered by an additional $10 million in State Government funding to strengthen regional economies.
Minister for Tourism, 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 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 minerals and tropical expertise will take full advantage of the region’s mines and first-rate marine science research facilities at James Cook University’s (JCU) Townsville campus.”
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be globally competitive.”
Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds 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,” Mr Reynolds said.
“JCU Townsville is also the site of the new multi-million dollar Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct.
“As a collaboration between the university, Queensland Government and CSIRO to provide extensive R&D options across ecosystem management, ecotourism, biosecurity, tropical crops and health, it marks confidence in the growing significance of tropical expertise for the region.
“The opening of a state-of-the-art mineral analysis laboratory in Townsville by Genalysis is an example of private sector confidence in the region’s mining and exploration industry as well.
“Genalysis’ lab is set to service the Asia-Pacific region and have 50 staff in the next two years - allowing further opportunities for the diversification of specialist workforces in the area.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Townsville and North West region’s economy.
“Strengthening the industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy are key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy.”
Ms Boyle said the Townsville and North West region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Mackay Whitsunday, Wide Bay Burnett, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland and the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Geographical proximity to Asia-Pacific markets;
• Businesses with specific knowledge relating to successful operation in tropical regions;
• Well-developed transport and distribution networks;
• Emerging opportunities in aviation and defence.
“This region’s economic growth has been outstanding the past decade, and we’re making diverse investments to see continued growth,” Ms Boyle added.
“Boasting a tropical climate with diverse attractions from the Great Barrier Reef to savannah grasslands and the sweeping outback, it’s easy to see the lure of this region.
“Regular flights link Townsville with Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and Mount Isa is the major hub servicing the outback tourism, horticultural and mining industries.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
29 October 2008
Minister for Tourism, 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 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 minerals and tropical expertise will take full advantage of the region’s mines and first-rate marine science research facilities at James Cook University’s (JCU) Townsville campus.”
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be globally competitive.”
Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds 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,” Mr Reynolds said.
“JCU Townsville is also the site of the new multi-million dollar Australian Tropical Science and Innovation Precinct.
“As a collaboration between the university, Queensland Government and CSIRO to provide extensive R&D options across ecosystem management, ecotourism, biosecurity, tropical crops and health, it marks confidence in the growing significance of tropical expertise for the region.
“The opening of a state-of-the-art mineral analysis laboratory in Townsville by Genalysis is an example of private sector confidence in the region’s mining and exploration industry as well.
“Genalysis’ lab is set to service the Asia-Pacific region and have 50 staff in the next two years - allowing further opportunities for the diversification of specialist workforces in the area.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Townsville and North West region’s economy.
“Strengthening the industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy are key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy.”
Ms Boyle said the Townsville and North West region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Mackay Whitsunday, Wide Bay Burnett, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland and the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Geographical proximity to Asia-Pacific markets;
• Businesses with specific knowledge relating to successful operation in tropical regions;
• Well-developed transport and distribution networks;
• Emerging opportunities in aviation and defence.
“This region’s economic growth has been outstanding the past decade, and we’re making diverse investments to see continued growth,” Ms Boyle added.
“Boasting a tropical climate with diverse attractions from the Great Barrier Reef to savannah grasslands and the sweeping outback, it’s easy to see the lure of this region.
“Regular flights link Townsville with Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne and Mount Isa is the major hub servicing the outback tourism, horticultural and mining industries.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
29 October 2008