A Message from the Chief Executive

The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program is a key opportunity for manufacturing in Northern Australia. A $600m build program followed by over $1bn in maintenance and training will provide sustained jobs and economic benefit for the next 30 years.

This is not just Cairns' bid - this is Queensland's bid and Northern Australia's bid.

We must be under no illusion that this is a 'done deal' for our region. There is strong competition from around Australia, and we must ensure that the spotlight on Cairns' capability is brighter than the rest.

Our marine industry has a long history of proven capability - just drive through the precinct to see what's going on day after day. Delivering excellence on time and on budget has been a hallmark of success for our region.

But we are a long way from Brisbane and Canberra, and we need to ensure our political masters are also singing our tune. And we need to shout from the rooftops at every opportunity about how important this is for our region.

There is no other project as significant as this on the radar in the near term. This is real and this is now.

And this is a call to everyone in our region to get behind this project and help bring it to success in Cairns.

This was the message we delivered to our political leaders in Canberra this week.

Meetings included Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Treasurer Joe Hockey, Defence Minister Kevin Andrews, Attorney General George Brandis, Health Minister Sussan Ley, Senators Ian Macdonald, Matt Canavan and Glenn Lazarus, and Queensland MPs Ewen Jones, Warren Entsch, Mal Brough, and Bert Van Manen.

The Canberra visit is part of ongoing engagement with State and Federal politicians and is focussed on the 8+8 key infrastructure and policy initiatives for Tropical North Queensland growth and prosperity.

Advance Cairns Thought Series with Jack Bobo

Thursday 3rd September 2015 (3:30-4:30pm) - Shangri-la Hotel, Cairns

The Advance Cairns Thought Series events are designed to engage, inspire and challenge. 

We are proud to partner with Life Sciences Queensland and invite Global Thought Leader, Mr Jack Bobo from Intrexon, a biotechnology company working on food, health and energy solutions, to present on the topic of “Can Agriculture save the planet before it destroys it?”

Jack is an internationally acclaimed global thought leader on trade policy, food security, climate change and development issues related to agricultural science and technology, including agricultural biotechnology.  Join us for a fascinating presentation, with opportunities to network with Jack following the event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK - CLICK HERE

Advance Cairns Breakfast Briefing

Tuesday 8th September 2015 - Pacific International

Join us at the next Advance Cairns Breakfast Briefing, which provides an opportunity to update on current activities, priorities and projects undertaken by ADvance Cairns.

A coffee and catch-up with other members in a relaxed environment and you can be back in the office by 8:30am! 

Registrations open @ 7:30am, for a 7:45am start. 8:15 finish

REGISTER HERE

Don't Sink Our Ports Petition

Port North’s port related operations and port dependent industries are worth $1.7 billion gross value added to our region. The Port of Cairns is critical to our ongoing economic growth.

The Petition, titled “Don’t Sink Our Ports”, seeks an amendment to the Sustainable Ports Development Bill 2015 to include Cairns and Mourilyan as priority ports, and is open until 11 September 2015 on the Queensland Parliament website or available to download from HERE.

Petitioning is one of the traditional forms where citizens can make requests direct to Parliament. A petition is a formal request signed by at least one person and placed before the Parliament with the object of persuading the Parliament to take a particular action.

We encourage everyone to sign the petition before 11 September and let the Queensland Parliament know that we need this change made to the proposed Bill to protect our region’s economic future.

READ THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE HERE

Cairns Leaders and FNQ MPs Unite Calling for Amendment to the Sustainable Ports Development Bill 2015

Following a recent public hearing by the Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee regarding the inquiry into the Bill, the Far North Queensland MPs Mr Shane Knuth, Member for Dalrymple, KAP; Mr Billy Gordon, Independent Member for Cook; and Mr Rob Katter, Member for Mt Isa, KAP have backed calls from Advance Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, the Cairns Regional Council; the Maritime Union of Australia and the newly formed Cairns Port Development, and have united as a team, calling for amendments to be made to the proposed Bill.

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program

The project represents an investment in Australian defence industry with the Australian-made patrol boats of $594 million, in addition to through life sustainment and personnel costs estimated at $1.38 billion over 30 years. 

A Cairns based tender was submitted, consisting of Teekay Shipping (Australia) as the Prime Contractor, DAMEN (Design and Technical Expertise), BSE Maritime Solutions (Build and Technical Expertise), Norship (Support Capability) and Great Barrier Reef International Marine College - TAFE North (training). A total of five consortia around Australia have bid for this project. 

The Cairns based consortium is the Queensland's tender and Northern Australia's tender.

 READ MORE

Trade & Investment Resource Tools

Advance Cairns has recently completed Country Profiles for China, Japan, PNG, Singapore and Indonesia with a particular TNQ focus to support trade development within these countries.  To learn more, contact our Economic Development Team via EMAIL

Planning Scheme Changes Consultation

Cairns Regional Council is now seeking public comment on the future look of the Cairns city centre and North Cairns, following amendments to building height and design policies within the draft Planning Scheme. It has been proposed that the existing prescribed height limits be amended and that the aircraft Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) be formalised as the defining factor on building heights in the city centre and parts of North Cairns.

Council is also looking to introduce new design controls citing ‘Tropical Urbanism’ as a key objective. This will provide guidelines for city design that will reflect the character and lifestyle of Cairns. The Tropical Urbanism controls will promote signature tropical design elements such as vertical landscaping, street canopies and active street frontages that create cool, shady outdoor areas, reflecting the natural rainforest canopy.

For more background information, CLICK HERE

Labour Force Brief - July 2015

Cairns Statistical Area 4 (SA4) Labour Brief:  To access the full report: CLICK HERE

ACBC: China-Australia Free Trade Agreement

1 September 2015 - Brisbane

The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) unlocks significant opportunities for Australian business and will elevate the Australia-China trade and investment relationship to the next level.

ACBC QLD in partnership with event partners invite you to attend the ChAFTA Forum  to better understand the range of benefits on offer and maximise the trade and investment opportunities arising from this landmark Agreement.  MORE INFO

Ozmin 2015 - Conference - Mining for Growth

7 September 2015 - Jakarta, Indonesia

Ozmine is a key platform for Australian METS and mining companies to grow their business by learning more about opportunities, gaining insights into the Indonesian market, and showcasing their products and services to a diverse range of Indonesian businesses.  READ MORE

WGC - Employment Law Workshop

8th September 2015 - WGC Cairns

Employment Law Workshop for Small Business and Not-for-Profits including topics such as:-

• Volunteers-v-employees-v-contractors
• Understanding the differences
• Being aware of the consequences

For more information or to book, contact Belinda Down via EMAIL

State of the Nation Indonesia - Harnessing the Growth on our Doorstep

10 September 2015 - Brisbane

With its impressive and consistent economic growth and rising middleclass population, Indonesia is emerging as a regional – and global – economic powerhouse. Yet while this transformation is occurring on Australia’s doorstep, Australian business has been slow to harness the opportunities. Asialink Business and Ashurst are proud to present this flagship State of the Nation address, in which an expert panel will share unique market insights into what is powering Indonesia’s growth and what this means for Australian business.  READ MORE

WGC - Contract Fundamentals Workshop

15 September 2015 - WGC Cairns

NEW AND IMPROVED Contract Fundamentals Workshop including topics such as:

• Types of contracts
• Elements, execution and variations of contracts
• Standard terms
• Breaches of contracts
• Consequences of breaches of contracts
• Damages
• Liability
• Vicarious liability
• Personal risk and negligence
• Reputational damage
• Guarantees and indemnities
• Insurance

For more information or to book, contact Belinda Down via EMAIL

Tropical Wave Festival 2015

19 September 2015 - Cairns Esplanade

This year, as part of the Cairns Festival, the Tropical Wave Festival, will once again showcase our region's diverse culture. More than 50 community groups will showcase our rich diversity through cultural and contemporary entertainment, workshops, demonstrations, arts and craft displays, and international cuisine.  contributing. It is an inclusive family fun day.

22nd Australia Fiji Business Forum

15-17 October 2015 - Sydney

The 22nd Australia Fiji Business Forum, organised by the Australia Fiji Business Council and the Fiji Australia Business Council, will be held at the Novotel Manly Pacific Hotel, Sydney, from 15 to 17 October 2015.  This year's theme is “Australia and Fiji: An Enduring Business Partnership”.  You are invited to register and attend HERE

Send Hope Not Flowers Charity Luncheon

23 October 2015 - Pullman Reef Hotel Casino

SEND HOPE NOT FLOWERS raises funds for life-saving maternal health programs in developing countries, particularly PNG.  BOOK HERE

Australia PNG Business Council

23rd October 2015 - Sydney

The Kokoda Track Foundation is holding their annual RALPH HONNER ORATION DINNER.  The Oration will this year be delivered by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, the Hon Peter O’Neill MP.  The Council will book a table for members to attend this event.  If you wish to join the Council table for this Oration Dinner please complete this BOOKING FORM.

Tourism Innovation Conference

6th November 2015 - Cairns

The Tourism Innovation Conference will inspire, inform and motivate you to action. 

Workshops led by savvy business leaders will present case studies that demonstrate outstanding innovation across eight disciplines; leadership and management, international marketing, distribution, digital for beginners and advanced, and domestic marketing.  VIEW THE FULL CONFERENCE PROGRAM HERE.

Advance Cairns Welcomes New Members

Advance Cairns looks forward to partnering with the following new member to continue to build a self-sustaining, resilient and prosperous TNQ community:

NQ Primary Healthcare Network:   In partnership and collaboration with communities through Community Advisory Groups and health providers we managew the delivery of federal programs specific to the needs of each community. Our approach is aimed at ensuring access to services to stay healthy.  LEARN MORE

If you are interested in becoming a member of Advance Cairns, simply EMAIL our office and we will organise for one of our Board Directors to meet with you personally.

Congratulations to Skyrail Celebrating 20 Years

On the 31st of August Skyrail will be celebrating a major milestone having completed 20 years of operations and boasting a host of 'firsts' along the way. From international awards and accreditations to innovative operational solutions right from the start, Skyrail quickly forged a reputation as an iconic, eco-tourism attraction amongst visitors domestically, and globally.

The core ethos of the company however, remains the same today as it did in 1987 when the concept was first mooted - to showcase World Heritage Listed tropical rainforest to millions of visitors in a safe and environmentally friendly way, visitors who without Skyrail, would never have had the opportunity to experience.

Over the years, Skyrail has welcomed countless famous faces including HRH Queen Elizabeth II and also carried iconic objects such as the Olympic torch and the Melbourne Cup trophy. One of the most remote sections of the rainforest is in fact said to be the inspiration for the 'Home Tree' and surrounds in the film Avatar.