A Message from the CEO

Happy Chinese (and Lunar) New Year to everyone. Chinese Zodiac tells the year of the Sheep/Goat to be a year of balance, thought and creativity. With ‘wood’ as the element, it could bring an interesting dynamic with trust and ‘western’ facing issues. Don’t renovate the western side of your house!

The region has been front and centre with the new Government, with early meetings and engagement with local elected reps and the Qld leadership. Advance Cairns involvement in a Premier’s briefing in Brisbane this week clearly demonstrates our important role in our region’s future. We look forward to being a positive influence on policy and infrastructure for our future growth and prosperity.

Our five year strategy – a first for Advance Cairns -  is in the final stages of preparation, and sets an ambitious path for our organisation’s work in policy and infrastructure, trade and investment, and the overall growth and prosperity of our region.

Key work we have undertaken includes economic audits, identifying agricultural, resource and construction policy and infrastructure opportunities for our region. This work will be formally launched in the near future.

The year ahead brings change and opportunity. We all have the opportunity to shape the future. Particularly ours.

Advance Cairns Breakfast Briefing

10th March 2015 - Pacific International 

The first Advance Cairns Breakfast Briefing for 2015 will be held on Tuesday 10th March and be held bi-monthly thereafter.  This is an ideal opportunity to gain an update on current activities, priorities and projects undertaken by the organisation. 

A quick 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.

REGISTER HERE

Labour Force Brief - January 2015

Cairns Statistical Area 4 (SA4) Labour Force Brief:

To access the full report:  READ MORE

NBN Switchover Information Sessions

There is now only one month until the first parts of Cairns (CBD) commence the switchover to the NBN on March 20. The switch is not automatic - people who are able to order an NBN service but have not yet done so are urged to call their telephone or internet provider as soon as possible.  NBN Co is delivering information sessions to help the community understand more about the NBN and in particular the switchover. 

Date: Wednesday 4th March 2015

Venue: The Catalina Room, Cairns RSL, 115 The Esplanade

Session Times:
10:30am-11:30am:    NBN Co presentation and question time
12:30pm-1:30pm:      NBN Co presentation and question time
02:00pm-3:30pm :     Question time (No presentation - drop in any time)
04:00pm-5:00pm:      NBN Co presentation and question time

No RSVP is necessary

AIM Excellence Awards Open

Nominations for the 2015 Australian Institute of Management Excellence Awards are now open!  Nominate the exceptional managers in your professional sphere that deserve recognition.  REGISTER HERE

2015 Cairns Regional Council Woman of the Year Awards

The Cairns Regional Council Woman of the Year Awards recognises women who have demonstrated courage and/or have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of women and girls in the Cairns Regional Council area.  NOMINATE HERE

Small Business - Raising Awareness Flyers

The following suite of flyers are available to raise awareness about information and services available to small businesses in Queensland., cover the following topics:

• Business licensing made easy
• Tendering for new business
• Improving your business
• Doing business in construction
• Small business growth in agriculture
• Online resources for the mining sector

CEDA's Top 10 Speeches 2014

CEDA's Top 10 Speeches 2014 is a collection of the most influential and interesting speeches from the CEDA platform in 2014. This publication seeks to present what we believe were the most interesting and influential speeches and presentations in 2014 on the most topical issues that reflect CEDA's charter.  VIEW HERE

Regional Australia Institute News

For the latest news from Regional Australia Institute, CLICK HERE

Townsville Enterprise appoints new CEO

Advance Cairns congratulates the recent appointment of Patricia O'Callaghan as the new Chief Executive Officer of Townsville Enterprise. The team at Advance Cairns looks forward to working collaboratively with Patricia in building opportunities for the region.

Aquis Appoints Project Director

Advance Cairns congratulates member, Pat Flanagan into the position of Project Director with Aquis.  The Directors of Advance Cairns have met with Pat in this new capacity and look forward to continuing to work together towards a successful outcome for the region.

Developing Better Freight Links to TNQ

A freight forum was held in Mareeba on the 7th Nov 14 attended by many Local Government Representatives, Transport Operators and Primary Producers.  The forum received a presentation of a Freight Logistics Tool developed by the CSIRO and unanimously concluded that the application of this tool in North Queensland will enhance the ability to improve efficiencies of transport infrastructure and support infrastructure funding.

To view the full Forum Report CLICK HERE

To view the Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool (TRANSIT), CLICK HERE

Your help is needed!

A small survey with data from transporters, clients and local govts will assist the development of this tool.

Survey - Freight Clients for freight route analysis

Survey - Transporters for Freight route analysis

Survey - Local Governments for freight route analysis

Please complete the relevant form and return. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

CEDA 2014 Big Issues Survey Results

Results of the CEDA 2014 Big Issues survey of the business community show long-term policies around our future workforce, such as driving innovation, R&D and education and training, accompanied by taxation reform should be priorities.  READ MORE

CEDA Upcoming Events 2015

Advance Cairns is a member of CEDA and therefore all Advance Cairns members have access to CEDA member benefits.  

View Upcoming CEDA Events HERE

Life Sciences Qld (LSQ) Upcoming Events

Advance Cairns is a member of LSQ and therefore all Advance Cairns members have access to LSQ member benefits.

View upcoming LSQ Events HERE

You Can Farm! Joel Salatin Tour 2015

Wednesday 25th Feb - Hilton Hotel

Joel Salatin is internationally respected for his innovative and integrated diverse animal systems that have healed his land and brought him abundant fertility and enviable profits.  Joel has almost single handedly inspired a movement of regenerative farmers and created opportunities for young people to get farming. We know he will not only inspire you too but give you the tools and the nuts and bolts!   To find out more or book, CLICK HERE.

Australia India Business Council Breakfast

4th March - Brisbane

Breakfast with distinguished guest, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a successful technocrat of global standing.  MORE INFO

Upcoming DSDIP Webinars & Workshops

04 March - Tendering for Government Business Workshop

10 March - Top Ten Tips on Tendering for Government Business Webinar

25 March - Capability Statement Workshop

International Women's Day Luncheon - Women Creating Change

6th March 2015 - Mercure Cairns Harbourside

Come and hear some inspiring stories of successful women who are working in their community to create opportunities and change.  REGISTER HERE

International Women's Day Breakfast

8th March - Cairns RSL Club

All current and former service women, friends and family are invited to attend.  MORE INFO

2015 CEDA Health Services Series

10th March - Brisbane

Increasing demand, high expectations and compounding complexity is driving rapid growth in the health services sector.  Join senior colleagues to hear thought leaders and service providers discuss critical reforms, the tricky balance of potential and expectations and for their analysis of this key growth sector.  READ MORE

Entrepreneurs Infrastructure Program Forum - Confidently Re-positioning your Business in Uncertain Times

10th March 2015 - Boathouse, JCU Campus

It’s a highly competitive world and businesses in the Cairns region are facing continuing global competition.  This breakfast forum will bring speakers with expertise in foresight and strategy to encourage participants to consider the global trends and how that is affecting your business and your customers.  REGISTER NOW

2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit

23-24 March 2015 - Washington DC, USA

The 2015 SelectUSA Investment Summit will be attended by U.S. Ambassador to Australia John Berry, along with senior Australian business leaders.
This significant event will bring together investors from all over the world, economic development organizations from every corner of the United States, high-level government officials, and others working to facilitate investment in the United States. 
The Summit is expected to draw more than 2,500 participants from around the world and will provide networking opportunities and online matchmaking along with discussions on the latest issues affecting investment.  READ MORE

Asian Development Bank - Business Opportunities Fair

25-26 March 2015 - Manila, Philippines
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is organising a Business Opportunities Fair (ADB-BOF) as an educational and networking forum for consultants, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers to provide goods and services for ADB projects. READ MORE

Austrade Mission to Manila

24-27 March 2015 - Manilla, Philippines

Austrade invites you to participate in the 2015 Australian Consulting Services Mission to the Asian Development Bank Business Opportunities Fair.   MORE INFO AND REGISTRATIONS

Policy Briefing - Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia (JSCNA)

30th March 2014 - Room A3-2, JCU Campus

The Australian Parliament’s Northern Australia Committee has commenced an inquiry into the development of Northern Australia and has been tasked with the important role of helping to define the future of Australia’s North—a region vital to the economic future of the nation.
This policy briefing will have an open Q&A session with the Select Committee Chair - Warren Entsch MP, offering invaluable learning opportunities to all stakeholders in the region, kindly hosted by James Cook University - Smithfield Campus.  MORE INFO

Australiasian Cluster Conference & Workshop

16-17 April 2015 - Sydney

TCI Network Oceania in collaboration with RDA Brisbane is pleased to present the 2nd Australasian Cluster Conference at the University of Technology, Sydney.  The theme for this year's conference is "Linking Clusters Globally: the heightened role of clusters in global value chains.  MORE INFO

Advancing Economic Development of Indigenous Land

29-30 April 2015 - Darwin

With the recent COAG decision to improve land rights, and a key policy direction of the White Paper on ‘Developing Northern Australia’ to improve land use and access; focus is growing to maximise land management practices for improved Indigenous outcomes.  This conference brings together key stakeholders in land management & economic development.  MORE INFO

APNG Business Forum - Early Bird Registrations Open

17-19 May 2015 - Lae, PNG

The Business Council of Papua New Guinea and the Australia Papua New Guinea Business Council are pleased to launch the 31st Australia Papua New Guinea Business Forum.
The Forum theme is “Bridging the Gap: Meeting Expectations” aimed to capture the important message that Papua New Guinea has unprecedented opportunity to turn the economic value of today’s resources boom into tomorrow’s future prosperity for all its people.

For more information or to register, CLICK HERE

Australasian Bioenergy and Bioproducts Symposium 2015

12th October 2015 - Brisbane

Approximately 40% of the world's population live in the Tropics; and globally, we are experiencing increasing demand for solutions that provide environmentally sustainable and healthy living conditions.   TABBS 2015 provides a platform to ensure that the Bioeconomy is recognised as a key opportunity and influence on economic development.  READ MORE

Be Part of Advance Cairns in 2015

If you would like to learn more about 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 to discuss the benefits of membership and how you can be involved in shaping and driving economic growth for the region.
Get involved in growing the region today!