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Save the Date - Meet the Buyer 2025
Meet the Buyer 2025 presents small businesses with an opportunity to meet one on one with large public and private sector buyers to present your good and services for upcoming procurement in Cairns.
Get involved
We’re currently accepting expressions of interest from:
- large (tier one businesses), who are interested in increasing their local spend in Cairns; and
- companies wishing to exhibit forming our Business Expo.
Register your interest today by emailing economicdevelopment@cairns.qld.gov.au
When: Thursday, 29 May 2025, 4.00pm - 6.30pm
Where: Cairns Regional Council
Cost: Free
Council tenders and procurement
Current opportunities to tender for Cairns Regional Council work and procurement opportunities are listed below.
- Caretaker - Bramston Beach Caravan Park and Campground:
Seeking a couple to fill the Caretaker position, starting 1 May 2025 for up to three years. Please contact Council at communitybusiness@cairns.qld.gov.au or on 4044 3389 for more information.
Closes 4.30pm, 1 April 2025
- Security Services:
Council is seeking submissions to provide a range of security services across various Council sites over five separable portions of work.
Closes 4.30pm, 8 April 2025
- Landscape Maintenance:
Council is is seeking submissions for maintenance of the landscaped areas within Argentea Estate, Palm Cove and Paradise Palms Drive, Kewarra Beach.
Closes 4.30pm, 16 April 2025
- Neighbourhood Murals:
Council is inviting quotations from artists to design and deliver a mural on three amenities blocks at Tom Murray Park, Mt Hardy Road, Mt Sheridan; Endeavour Park, Cannon St, Manunda; and at Touch Park, Quarry Street, Aeroglen.
Closes 4.30pm, 18 April 2025
Grants and business support
What does the Federal Budget mean for your business?
The 2025-26 Budget was announced on 25 March. Find out what's available and what it means for your business. Read more
Disaster Assistance Grants for North and Far North Queensland Businesses
Small businesses and non-profits impacted by the January 29 Tropical Low flooding in North and Far North Queensland can now apply for disaster recovery grants and concessional loans. For more details on available grants and loans, visit QRIDA Business Assistance.
- Exceptional Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants: Up to $50,000 for clean-up, recovery, and related costs, including equipment, materials, safety inspections and debris disposal.
- Disaster Assistance Loans – Up to $250,000 to support essential recovery efforts.
- Essential Working Capital Loans – Up to $100,000 to assist with immediate operational costs, including wages, rent and creditor payments.
Energising Manufacturing Businesses
Queensland manufacturers can get up to $50,000 through the Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Grant (MEEG) program to reduce energy usage, costs and emissions.
Find more details Closes 30 June 2025
CheckUP Industry Workforce Advisors – Health and Community Services Businesses
The program provides free workforce planning assistance for small to medium health and community service businesses to tackle workforce challenges, diversify staff, and boost productivity.
Find more details
Advanced Apprentice & Employee Mentoring (AAEM) Program – Construction Businesses
The AAEM Program helps residential construction trades to to reduce apprentice dropout rates and provide ongoing support.
Find more details
Council news in brief
Cairns tipped to host Olympic sports
Cairns has been recognised as a leading sports destination, tipped to host basketball, football and cricket as part of the 2032 Olympic program.
Read more
Water funding confirmed in Federal Budget
Funding for the Cairns Water Security Project has been confirmed in the 2025-26 Federal Budget. The total federal funding of $195 million will support Cairns' long-term water infrastructure needs.
Read more
Support for First Nations music event
The Council has approved $50,000 for the return of Dream Aloud, part of the Queensland Music Trails, featuring First Nations artists and local talent.
Read more
Merger of city's two biggest horse racing events
A two-year, $150,000 funding agreement has been approved by the Council to support the merger of the Cairns Cup and Cairns Amateurs Carnivals into the Cairns Super Carnival.
Read more
Become a Community Safety Champion
The Queensland Police Service is calling on community-minded residents from Cairns, to participate in a new program that promotes community safety and crime prevention.
Industry in focus: Education and Training
In 2022/23 the local education and training industry directly generated an economic impact of $913M output, $646M value add and supported more than 8,887 jobs in Cairns.
Case Study: Green power from sugar cane
MSF Sugar's Green Energy Power Plant turns renewable sugarcane fibre into 24 megawatts of clean power, enough for 26,280 homes. By converting waste into green energy and supporting local farmers, they’re driving innovation and sustainability. See how they’re powering a greener future.
By the numbers
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