No Images? Click here Cairns Mayor Bob Manning has called on the Queensland Government to give the city its fair share of the funding pie in the upcoming state budget. Cr Manning has submitted a list of investment and infrastructure priorities that were identified in the Cairns 2050 Shared Vision to Queensland Treasurer Jackie Trad and has called on the government to put an end to its underfunding trend. “Cairns has been short-changed in recent years when it comes to state government infrastructure spending,” Cr Manning said. “At last year’s budget, the Queensland Government allocated just $1715 per capita to infrastructure in the greater Cairns region, compared with an average of $2115 per person across the state. Cairns’ funding at the last budget was 47 per cent lower than Townsville, which received $3214 per person, and a whopping 60 per cent less than the Toowoomba/Darling Downs region. “And that seems to be a long-term trend. In the past seven years, our region has consistently ranked near the bottom of the State Government spending heap. “In fact, if we had received the same per capita allocation as the Toowoomba/Darling Downs region over the past seven years, we could have dredged Trinity Inlet 24 times, built 44 performing arts centres or paid for the Cairns Convention Centre expansion 16 times over.” Key projects included in Cairns Regional Council’s Queensland Budget priorities include major investment in the Cairns road network, $90 million to establish a research institute at the Cairns Hospital, a commitment toward Nullinga Dam to shore up the region’s future water security, and completion of the Cairns Convention Centre expansion. “We also look forward to the timely completion of the shipping channel development and the Smithfield Bypass. “Each of these projects have been supported by all levels of government and major regional stakeholders through the Cairns 2050 Shared Vision,” Cr Manning said. “This is a crucial time in Cairns’ development as a world-class tropical city. We are simply seeking our fair share to help our region to thrive for years to come.” The Cairns Business Survey seeks feedback on the issues that are impacting your business today, and will influence your decision-making over the next twelve months. This survey will help us better understand the key factors impacting your business so that we can effectively advocate on your behalf and support the businesses operating in Cairns. The Survey is an initiative of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and CCIQ and proudly supported by Cairns Regional Council. The survey closes on 15 April 2019. Cairns population ticks over 165,000The Australian Bureau of Statistics has updated the population estimates for Local Government Areas.The update estimates the Cairns population to be 165,525 as at June 30 2018. This is an increase of 1763 persons or a growth rate of 1.1% from the previous year. The components of this change in population was as a result of natural increase (+1187), net overseas migration (+1086) and net internal migration (-510). Unemployment rate at 5.6%The Department of Jobs and Small Business has recently released the updated Small Area Labour Market Unemployment and Labour Force data for the December Quarter 2018. This data shows that the Cairns LGA unemployment rate was 5.6%. Unemployment rates in each suburb (SA2) were as follows: Babinda 4.4%, Bentley Park 5.4%, Brinsmead 2.1%, Cairns City 7.8%, Clifton/Kewarra Beach 2.9%, Earlville/Bayview Heights 5.2%, Edmonton 6.5%, Freshwater/Stratford 2.7%, Gordonvale/Trinity Inlet 4.6%, Kanimbla/ Mooroobool 5.2%, Manoora 15%, Manunda 14.8%, Mount Sheridan 3.4%, Redlynch 1.8%, Trinity Beach/Smithfield 3.1%, Westcourt/Bungalow 11.2%, White Rock 8.7%, Whitfield/Edge Hill 3.7%, Woree 10.9%, and Yorkeys Knob/Machans Beach 5.6%. Doing business in PNGTradelinked Cairns & PNG is leading a Cairns business delegation to Port Moresby and Lae from 21 - 24 May 2019. The timing of the delegation has been chosen to coincide with the Tradelinked PNG business networking event in Port Moresby on Tuesday 21 May. This event regularly attracts over 150 business leaders and is well Places on this delegation are limited – so please email your interest to info@tradelinked.com.au by COB Wednesday 10 April 2019. Tradelinked monthly meetingsTradelinked is for anyone interested in developing business links between PNG and the Cairns region. Tradelinked Cairns-PNG-Pacific holds a free business networking event on the last Tuesday of each month at ‘The Chambers’, cnr Lake & Spence Streets, Cairns from 5.30pm-7.00pm. To be included on the invitation list for this and other Tradelinked events, please contact Deb Maguire – info@tradelinked.com.au e-Marketing and blogging workshopThis workshop, facilitated by Nicky Jurd from Precedence, will highlight how email marketing and blogging can support your overall marketing strategy. Learn how to present engaging content and ways to manage your account, segment databases and send automated emails. For tourism businesses or intenders with fewer than 20 full time employees. TTNQ members and non-members welcome.
Learn the secrets of the event tradeEvent organisers are encouraged to attend FREE beginner's workshops to learn event skills and tips on how to host successful events!
The Money Magnet MasterclassLearn proven strategies for attracting investment from public and private sources to fund the development of innovative ideas. The Money Magnet Masterclass is supported by Advance Queensland and Innovate Queensland.
Are you full of bright ideas?Join the 2019 Big Fish Weekend and learn how to turn your ideas into reality! 60 budding entrepreneurs, aged 13 – 25, will be guided through the creative entrepreneurship process. Big Fish is supported by Y(E)P Entrepreneurship Facilitators, Ignite FNQ, CQUniversity and Cairns Regional Council.
Australian Aerospace Industry reportInnovative local businesses who are keen to learn about how to be a part of the space industry supply chain are encouraged to read the report highlighting job creation opportunities in Queensland arising from the establishment of an Australian space industry highlights. The report considers the supply chain needed to develop and support the space industry and identify Queensland’s areas of competitive advantage. Cyber Security Small Business ProgramThe Cyber Security Small Business Program supports small businesses across Australia to have their cyber security tested by a provider that has been approved by the Council of Registered Ethical Security Testers Australia New Zealand (CREST). Grants are available to small businesses (with 19 or fewer employees) for up to 50 per cent of the cost of a micro, small or standard certified small business check. Businesses must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Women in manufacturing special eventThe manufacturing sector is vital to growing and diversifying Queensland’s economy and creating the jobs of the future. Attracting highly skilled women into the sector will be increasingly important to its success. Gender diversity in the workforce drives innovation and idea generation.
Our Cairns Coast SurveyResidents and business owners of the Cairns region are invited to share their views and what they value about the coastal environment as part of the Our Cairns Coast project. In undertaking the QCoast2100 program, Cairns joins 31 other Queensland coastal councils that are developing their own adaptation plans. Council will hold community information stalls at:
For more information visit Council's website. The online survey is now available. The Black Business Finder (BBF) is Queensland's online Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business directory. Commissioned by the Queensland Government's Industry Capability Network, the BBF connects project owners to Indigenous suppliers of goods and services. See more at www.bbf.org.au Business workshop for Indigenous womenThe Morning Sky Project, Business Model Canvas workshop for Indigenous women is a collaboration of Murawin and Indigenous Business Australia is designed to teach participants about running your own business, managing finances, striving for financial security and accessing procurement opportunities.
Share in local dollars?Did you know ... ? Council injected $381 million directly into the Cairns economy last financial year through materials, services and employment. Council advertises tenders, expressions of interest and Requests For Quote in The Weekend Post and on our tenders web page. Free economic dataNeed sound data to keep abreast of key economic changes and make business decisions? Make use of Council's FREE Cairns Economic Profile tool. Powered by economy.id®, it presents easy-to-use data on local industry and economic performance, industry sectors, employment characteristics, infrastructure and assets. Want more Council news? Subscribe now!Keep up to date with all of Council's news, events and projects by signing up to our monthly community e-newsletter, Living in Cairns. We'd love your feedbackWe’re always interested in improving our communications and welcome your feedback on what you’d like to see more or less of. Email us with your thoughts! |