A Message from the Chief Executive

2015 saw commitments to funding key infrastructure in our region – sealing of the Hann Highway, further development of bulk storage for our future water needs, and a range of many other commitments to Northern Australia development. 

We also saw State Govt commitment to our port's future through concessions for the Port of Cairns in the Sustainable Port Development Bill.

But there is one piece of the puzzle which is clearly wrong. The population projections for our region continue to be less than the actual growth our region sees. For the past 20 years, year on year the projections are exceeded, and year on year we continue to see below growth projections.

These projections provide the basis of investment in infrastructure and services for our region. Consistently our region has been under-provisioned, resulting in a shortfall of Government investment not just in our future, but also right now.

This inaccuracy must be redressed, and our efforts continue with both State and Federal Governments to revise projections to reflect a more accurate trend of our growth.

It has been a year of progress and I thank all of our stakeholders, partners and most importanlty our members for their collaboration and support. 

The Advance Cairns team wish you all a peaceful and safe christmas, and a year ahead full of opportunity.

DATE CLAIMER: Advance Cairns Member Breakfast

Tues 2nd February 2016 - Pacific Hotel Cairns

The first member breakfast for 2016 will be held on the 9th February where the CEO will provide an update on current work and the focus of the organisation for 2016.  Invitations will be sent out closer to the date, but be sure to mark this one in your calendar.

Fiji Infrastructure Mission 2016

1-4 March 2016 - Fiji

Advance Cairns and Austrade invites you to participate in the Fiji Infrastructure mission. The mission is designed to identify and target opportunities in the infrastructure sector, especially those financed by the Asian Development Bank.

There are many opportunities for organisations in Tropical North Queensland region to benefit from work in Fiji and the Pacific. 

The mission is suitable for the following Australian businesses:

•              Engineering services
•              Consulting services
•              Equipment and technology
•              Maintenance and repair service providers
•              Building and construction.

To register your interest contact Mark Matthews or for more information CLICK HERE

DATE CLAIM - Northern Queensland Food Innovation Forum

Thursday 3 March 2016 - Townsville

This forum is designed to focus on commercialisation and collaboration to drive innovation in Northern Queensland's food and agribusiness industries.

The forum will assist in the consultation for setting the research, development, extension and education agenda for the Co-Operative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia, and, other complimentary collaborative opportunities.

Further details and program will be released early 2016.

Tradelinked Cairns PNG and APNG Business Mission to Bougainville

4 April 2016 - Bougainville, PNG

Tradelinked Cairns & PNG and the Australia PNG Business Council have secured the agreement of President Momis of the Autonomous Bougainville Government for a Business Mission to Bougainville in the week commencing 4 April 2016.

Expressions of Interest are sought from members interested in participating. 

To find out more about the program, CLICK HERE.

Australia Week in China 11-15 Apr 16

The Hon. Andrew Robb AO MP, Minister for Trade and Investment is expected to lead an Australian Government trade, education, investment and tourism mission to China in April 2016, as part of the second Australia Week in China (AWIC).

AWIC 2016 will highlight commercial opportunities underpinned by the rise of an affluent middle class and the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). About 10 cities are expected to be included in the program including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Shenyang.

For more information and to express interest visit http://www.austrade.gov.au/awic2016

Industry sectors to be featured within AWIC include:
• Agribusiness
• Financial Services
• Health and Senior Living (possibly two separate streams)
• International Education
• METS – Smart Mining
• Premium Food and Beverage and Consumer
• Tourism
• Urban Sustainability and Water Management
• Innovation Partnerships Dialogue.

Labour Force Brief - October 2015

Cairns Statistical Area 4 (SA4) Labour Brief: Overall trends are reflective of positive economic conditions for the region.

To access the full report: CLICK HERE

Nominations Open - Australia Day Awards

Nominations are now open for the Cairns Regional Council 2016 Australia Day Awards, recognising individualts for their outstanding service to the Cairns region.  

Nominees should be able to demonstrate considerable personal achievement or significant and lasting contributions to the Cairns community, on behalf of individuals, organisations, charities, service groups, clubs, churches, sporting groups, heath, youth or business.  More information and nomination forms.

Nominations close 5pm on 18 December 2016.

Qld Budget Mid-Year Fiscal and Economic Review

The Qld Govt Mid Year Fiscal and Economic Review  provides a mid-year update on the fiscal and economic outlook for the State based on assessments prepared by Treasury.

This includes updated forecasts for major economic parameters, revised estimates of State Government borrowings and consolidated sectoral financial statements on Government Finance Statistics basis.   To view CLICK HERE.

TNQ Regional Mountain Bike Strategy

The TNQ Regional Mountain Bike Strategy manages the diverse maturity and interests of 5 mountain bike clubs, 10 councils, 4 state agencies and 4 regional organisations to develop Mountain Biking in our region. 

There is still a lot to do and investigate -  A copy of the base document is avaiable at http://tinyurl.com/zeyhp8z.

CEDA Top 10 Speeches of 2015

CEDA's Top 10 Speeches is a collection of the most influential and interesting speeches from the CEDA platform throughout the year.

Videos and publication available at http://www.ceda.com.au/publications/annual-publications/top-10-speeches

QMI Solutions Breakfast Event

Fri 12th February 2016 - Harbour Room, Pacific Hotel Cairns 

Join QMI Solutions for a morning with Frank Wagner "Discovering International Manufacturing Trends and their impact on Workforce Development, Training Needs and Future Skill Sets".

For more information or to register CLICK HERE

32nd Australia PNG Business Forum and Trade Expo

15-17 May 2016 - Cairns Convention Centre

The 32nd Australia PNG Business Forum & Trade Expo will be held in Cairns 15-17 May 2016.  Early bird registrations are now open.

For more information and registration CLICK HERE

Advance Cairns Christmas Office Closure

Please note that the office will be closed from Friday 18th December and re-opening on Monday 4th January 2016.

The Board and team at Advance Cairns would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.