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Grow your First Nations business | Free event
Calling all Indigenous small businesses! Don’t miss Indigenous Small Business Connect - a free event designed to help First Nations businesses in our region grow, connect, and thrive.
When: Tuesday 21 October 2025 (10:30am - 1:30pm)
Where: Civic Room & Courtyard, Cairns Regional Council, Spence St
At this even you can:
✔ Meet major regional buyers and explore procurement opportunities
✔ Connect with exhibitors offering programs, services, and support
✔ Network with other Indigenous business owners
Why Attend?
✔ Gain practical tools and information to grow your business
✔ Discover new opportunities to collaborate and expand your network
✔ Build valuable relationships with buyers and service providers
This is your chance to unlock opportunities for your business - we look forward to seeing you there!
Council tenders and procurement
Current opportunities to tender for Cairns Regional Council work and procurement opportunities are listed below.
All Hazard Risk Assessment and Strategic Review of Local Disaster Management Plan
Council is seeking submissions from suitably qualified and experienced consultants for the provision of an All Hazards Risk Assessment and strategic review and revision of Council’s Local Disaster Management Plan and sub plans. Closes 4.30pm, 1 October 2025
Disposal of the Bellenden Ker Hall (building and land), 78R Harvey Creek Road
Council is inviting written offers for the purchase of the Bellenden Ker Memorial Hall including building and associated land, located at 78R Harvey Creek Road, Bellenden Ker. Closes 4.30pm, 15 October 2025
Lease and Management of Tobruk Memorial Pool
Cairns Regional Council is inviting tender submissions for Contract 3018 for the lease and management of the Tobruk Memorial Pool and associated leisure facilities. Closes 4.30pm, 26 October 2025
Workshops, training and industry events
Migration Agreement Information Session for FNQ Employers
Cairns Chamber of Commerce invites FNQ employers to a free, in-person session explaining the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA). This tailored skilled migration program helps local businesses address labour shortages by offering flexible pathways to employ overseas workers.
When: 1 October, 10.00am - 11.00am
Where: Cairns Chamber of Commerce Office
Cost: Free | Register Here
Grants and business support
Tourism Icons Investment Fund
Round 1 offers up to $5M on a 1:1 co-contribution basis to support the development of infrastructure, attractions and experiences that exceed expectations, create jobs and help more tourism-related businesses to grow. Closes 8 October 2025
Find out more
Homegrown - Queensland's Destination Events Fund
Round 2 is open for events held June 2026 to June 2027. Three steams on offer, Destination: Signature, Significant and Indigenous with up to $40,000 available per event. Closes 16 October 2025
Find out more
Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund
Up to $300,000 per project is available for new attractions, upgrades to enhance visitor facilities, eco-lodges, glamping, agritourism, ecotourism and stargazing adventures. Closes 12 November 2025
Find out more
Queensland Arts Project Fund
Multiple streams providing one-off grants, general stream up to $70,000 per project, up to $20,000 for individuals and a two-year matched funding of up to $150,000 for exceptional large-scale projects. Closes 2pm, 3 November 2025
Find out more
The Regional Community Arts Program
Two funding options are available: two-year core funding of up to $50,000 per year (with a possible two-year extension), or one-year project funding of up to $20,000. Both open to regionally-based, community-led arts organisations. Closes 2pm, 10 November 2025
Find out more
Small Business Recovery Assistance Grant Program
Up to $15,000 for eligible small businesses in North and Far North Queensland severely impacted by the tropical low between 29 January and 28 February 2025.
Closes 14 May 2026
Find out more
Workforce Evolve: Help to grow your business
Free support for Queensland employers to build a diverse, inclusive workforce through online modules and coaching. Learn how to attract and retain top talent - now and for the future.
Find out more
Council news in brief
Cairns sets course for a sustainable, liveable future with landmark growth strategy
With the city’s population forecast to grow significantly, the Cairns Regional Council's Towards 2050 Strategy provides the framework to protect the lifestyle we value while supporting sustainable development and creating new opportunities for business and community. The strategy will be unpacked at
the upcoming Cairns Chamber of Commerce lunch, this Friday 26 September.
Read more
Driving growth, creating opportunities: Cairns’ economic progress on track
Cairns Regional Council has released its latest progress report on the Economic Development Strategy 2022–2026, showing strong momentum towards a more diversified and resilient economy that champions business innovation, growth, and jobs.
Read more
Stronger flood protection and healthier waterways for Cairns
The Saltwater Creek Catchment Resilience Master Plan forms a key part of Council’s $2.8 million Saltwater Creek Flood Mitigation Project
Read more
Celebrating First Nations Culture and Voices
The award-winning Tropic Trails runs throughout October featuring First Nations-led events including Dream Aloud Festival on 18 October in Gimuy (Cairns), alongside Shine on Gimuy from 16-25 October. Supported by Council and the Major Events Strategy, these events foster community pride, deepen local engagement, and celebrate the living cultures of Tropical North Queensland.
Find out more
Be Social Fest Debuts in Cairns
This all-ages music and culture festival will activate the Cairns Showgrounds with international acts, immersive art, and wellbeing experiences. Through the Our Cairns 2024 survey, the community told us they wanted more live music, festivals and things to do in our region. The event strengthens live music, youth engagement, and the economy - creating commercial opportunities for local suppliers,
venues, creatives, and food operators.
Event details and tickets
Cairns is turning 150 in 2026!
Whether you're a school, community group or business marking a milestone, opening a time capsule, or hosting an event or performance, we’d love to hear about it. Your celebrations will be part of the city’s story and help bring our 150th anniversary to life. Every activity, big or small, adds to the festivities. Let us know how you’ll be celebrating Cairns’ 150th.
Find out more
Industry in focus
This section features a monthly industry overview and key economic data for priority industries identified in Council's Economic Development Strategy.
Arts and Culture is an important contributor to the Cairns economy with strengths in indigenous art and culture, film and performing arts.
In 2023/24, Arts and Culture industries directly generated an economic impact of $191M output, $94M value add and supported more than 1,235 jobs in Cairns.
By the numbers
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