CAIRNS 2012 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT

CAIRNS 2012 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT

contents THE CAIRNS REGION... 3 OUR ECONOMY... 4 GROWING REGIONAL ECONOMY... 4 UNEMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR FORCE... 4 INDUSTRY PROFILE... 5 KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS... 6 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY... 8 BUSINESS COUNT... 8 SIZE OF BUSINESS... 9 AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME... 9 BUILDING APPROVALS... 9 COMMERCIAL, RETAIL AND INDUSTRIAL RENTS... 9 OUR PEOPLE, OUR PLACE... 10 GROWING POPULATION... 10 YOUNG DEMOGRAPHIC... 11 SKILLED WORKFORCE... 11 HIGH QUALITY LIFESTYLE... 12 TROPICAL CLIMATE... 12 AFFORDABLE LIVING... 12 ACTIVE LIVING / SPORTING EVENTS... 12 WORLD LEADING EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES... 13 WORLD CLASS TROPICAL RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE... 14 INTERNATIONALLY CONNECTED... 15 AIR... 15 SEA... 15 ROAD AND RAIL... 15 INVESTING IN CAIRNS... 16 MAJOR INVESTMENTS... 17 REGIONAL CONTACTS... 18 TROPICAL INNOVATION AWARDS 2012... 19 2

THE CAIRNS REGION Wujal Wujal Cairns is strategically located in the Asia Pacific region with a wide range of business and lifestyle advantages. Through its international airport the region is accessible to all major cities within Australia, as well as internationally to Auckland, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Guam, Port Moresby and to Singapore, via Darwin. The Cairns Region Local Government Area covers 4135km 2 from Bloomfield in the north to Mirriwinni in the south. The region extends some 190km from its northern to southern extremities. Os Cairns Daintree Diwan Mossman Cape Tribulation Cow Bay Wonga Beach Newell Beach Cooya Beach Port Douglas Cairns is Tropical North Queensland s major commercial, industrial, educational, retail and entertainment centre. It is a sophisticated business centre which incorporates all the essential elements of a modern commercial environment and an enriched cosmopolitan lifestyle. It provides a diverse range of high quality professional and business services both locally and internationally to our rapidly expanding Asia Pacific market. With well developed transport and logistical networks, extensive health and education services, a high standard of living, affordable housing and vibrant cultural amenities, the Cairns region is an ideal place to live, do business and invest. Cairns Region Statistical Highlights Smithfield Redlynch Palm Cove Clifton Beach Trinity Beach Yorkeys Knob Holloways Beach Machans Beach Headline Gross Regional Product Businesses Population Regional Growth Median Age $7,296 million (2011) 14,701 registered businesses (2009) 168,251 (Jun-10) 2.83% growth per annum (over 10 years) 35.1 years Cairns Edmonton Gordonvale Unemployment 7.8% (September 11) Labour Force 87,191 persons Babinda Mirriwinni Bramston Beach 3

OUR ECONOMY Growing Regional Economy The Cairns region economy has been growing at a rapid pace since 2009 and forecasts predict this growth to continue. In June 2011, Gross Regional Product was estimated to be $7.296 million including a contribution of approximately 3.2% to Queensland s Gross State Product. Between 2006 and 2011, Gross Regional Product per person increased by 8.2% or from $62,984 to $68,159 highlighting an increase in wealth generated by the local economy. Unemployment and Labour Force The number of unemployed persons aged 15 years and over in the Cairns region for the September quarter 2011 was 7.8% or 7,308 individuals. This figure represents an improvement from the 9.3% recorded in the corresponding September quarter 2010. Total labour force in the Cairns region for the same period was 87,191 persons. Cairns Regional Council Headline Gross Regional Product (GRP) Unemployment Rate (% of the labour force) 8000 12 % Headline GRP ($millions) 6000 4000 2000 0 $4,249m $4,473m $4,406m $4,539m $4,896m $5,337m $5,829m $6,346m $7,167m $7,210m $7,044m $7,060m $7,296m 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 10 % 8 % 6 % 4 % 2 % 0 % 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 Year Ending June 30 Financial year (ending June 30) Australia Queensland Cairns Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) 2011. Please note that NIEIR modelled estimates are subject to change and review for the most recent two financial years. Modelled data All $ values are represented in constant 2008-2009 dolars. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Labour force survey catalgue number 6202.0, and DEEWR, Small Area Labour Markets Australia. 4

Industry Profile Given its geographic location and abundance of natural resources, the Cairns economy is driven by a number of core service-based sectors. These sectors differentiate the Cairns economy from other regional centres in Queensland which are heavily dependent on mining and agriculture. The top three productive sectors in the Cairns region for the year ended June 2011 were Transport, Postal and Warehousing, Accommodation and Food Services, and Health Care and Social Assistance. The Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector is a significant component of the Cairns economy given our geographic location, hard infrastructure, accessibility and diverse range of industries. The Transport, Postal and Warehousing sector includes businesses mainly engaged in providing transportation of passengers (including tour buses and taxis), livestock and/or goods by road, rail, sea or air. It also covers services to transport (for example, terminal facilities for road and freight, freight forwarding services, customs agency service, warehousing and storage of goods). Value Added by Industry Sector, Cairns Regional Council & Regional Queensland 2011 (ANZSIC 2006 - Latest Industry Classification) Industry Sector Transport, Postal & Warehousing Accommodation and Food Services Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Construction Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Manufacturing Public Administration and Safety Financial and Insurance Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Administrative and Support Services Wholesale Trade Education and Training Other Services Mining Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Information Media and Telecommunications Arts and Recreation Services 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% Percentage of total (%) Cairns Regional Council Queensland Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) 2011. Please note that NIEIR modelled estimates are subject to change and review for the most recent two financial years. Modelled data All $ values are represented in constant 2008-09 year dollars. 5

Key Economic Sectors A number of established and emerging industries have been identified as key areas that will support future employment growth, skills development, economic diversification and investment attraction. These include: Agriculture / Food: Water resources and good climatic conditions support the region s agriculture. The main products grown in the far north Queensland (FNQ) region include fruit and vegetables (eg bananas, mangoes, papaya, potatoes and avocados), dairy, beef, sugar, seafood, poultry, pork, tea, coffee, nurseries and forestry products. Sugar and sugar mills will play a significant role in the region s economy. Aviation: Cairns is the major air transport hub in north eastern Australia with direct links across Australia and into Asia Pacific countries. Significant investment and expansion by international, national and regional companies in the Cairns region shows ongoing confidence in the potential of the aviation industry. The region provides a wide range of aviation services, including avionics, heavy engineering and training, for both international and domestic clients. Clean Energy: The region is particularly suited to the production of renewable energy and already produces up to 40% of its own power from existing renewable energy projects including wind, hydro, solar, and the waste product (bagasse) from sugar production. The Renewable Energy Industry Development Plan (REIDP), developed by the Office of Clean Energy, recommends the far north coast as a renewable energy zone. Creative Industries: The Cairns region is a hot spot for creative industries, employing a higher percentage of creative individuals than regional Queensland. The creative industries field is a significant contributor to the regional economy and is a growing economic driver. Creative industries include visual arts and crafts, architecture and design, photography, film and TV, the performing arts, writing, publishing, media and journalism. Education: The region offers all the benefits of an internationally competitive education system in a safe, friendly environment, attracting students from all over the world. James Cook University offers a number of specialist courses in Tropical Expertise, Marine Biology and Dentistry. Business Events: Major events are a significant contributor to the Cairns regional economy. With accessibility by road, rail and air, the fifth busiest airport in Australia for international ease of access and an abundance of high quality event facilities, Cairns presents as a viable business event destination. Manufacturing: The manufacturing industry is a major contributor to the Cairns economy and has strong links with the mining, agriculture, food, fishing and construction sectors. Manufacturing in Cairns provides an important regional link for neighbouring councils. Marine: Cairns dominates northern Australia in terms of marine activity. Locally based shipping includes Australia s largest tourism fleet, a large fishing fleet and a range of trading and work vessels. It is home of Australia s north eastern operational naval base HMAS Cairns. The region s maritime services sector is the largest and most sophisticated in northern Australia and of substantial importance in the wider Oceania/ South West Pacific area. Regular visits to Cairns by super yachts and cruise ships are another important growing contributor to the region and have a flow-on effect to other industries. Mining and Mining Services: With 25 operating mines and advance projects in FNQ and nearly 20 in Papua New Guinea, Cairns is in an excellent position to supply workforce and other mining services. The mining industry s contribution to the regional economy is forecast to grow. Tropical Knowledge and Expertise: The global tropical economy is projected to reach US $40 trillion in 2025 that s 20 times greater than Australia s estimated economy. Far north Queensland is one of the few developed economies in the tropical world. Cairns businesses have designed and adapted their practices and products to the tropical environment. This gives Cairns a competitive edge in selling its expertise to the world. Tropical expertise cuts across many sectors including tropical health, environmental management, agribusiness, infrastructure and building design. 6

Tourism: The Cairns region is famous worldwide as a tourist destination. Every year millions of visitors flock to the region to visit the magnificent World Heritage listed attractions of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests as well as Port Douglas, Palm Cove and Cairns beaches, Daintree and Cape Tribulation, Cape York and Torres Strait Islands, Cooktown, Kuranda and Atherton Tablelands, and the Gulf Savannah Outback. Over the last 10 years, many global and local issues have had an impact on tourism. Despite this pressure, tourism income has grown from $400 million per year in the 1980s, to its current value of $2.3 billion (YEDec11). For the year ended December 2011 there were 587,000 International visitors to the Tropical North Queensland region. The region s largest source of visitors was from from Japan, the United Kingdom, China and North America. Across the region s broad range of accommodation (from backpacker accommodation to luxury hotels and resorts), the region recorded over 1.4 million guest nights and over $98 million worth of expenditure on accommodation in the year ending September 2011. International and domestic passenger movements through the Cairns International Airport continue to improve. Total airport passengers for 2010-11 increased by 8.1% on the previous year and are now back to the peak level achieved in 2007-08. Growth in Chinese visitor numbers has provided a positive boost to the local tourism market and is expected to continue to grow. Tropical North Queensland Tourist Accommodation September Quarter 2011 Establishments 174 Guest Rooms 10,974 Guest Nights Occupied 1,404,285 Guest Arrivals 411,760 Takings from Accommodation $98,700,714 Source: ABS Tourist Accommodation, Small Area Data September Quarter 2011 International Visitors to Tropical North Queensland Visitors Visitor Nights Japan 87,000 455,000 UK 78,000 817,000 China 74,000 181,000 Hong Kong 12,000 54,000 USA 71,000 467,000 Canada 23,000 214,000 Germany 41,000 554,000 NZ 41,000 434,000 France 21,000 323,000 Other Countries 139,000 1,624,000 Total 587,000 5,123,000 Source: International Visitor Survey December Quarter 2011 International Passengers Cairns Airport Domestic Passengers Cairns Airport 320,000 100,000 90,000 80,000 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Source: Cairns Airport Mar Apr May Jun FY2012 FY2011 FY2010 FY2009 FY2008 FY2007 300,000 280,000 260,000 240,000 220,000 200,000 180,000 160,000 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun FY2012 FY2011 FY2010 FY2009 FY2008 FY2007 Source: Cairns Airport 7

Employment by Industry As at 30 June 2011, Accommodation and Food Services had the largest industry employment, with 12,638 persons or 14.5% of the workforce employed in this area. Other industries with large numbers of employed persons included Retail Trade (12,559 or 14.4%) and Health Care and Social Assistance (9,114 or 10.5%). Employment by Industry Sector (Modelled), Cairns Regional Council Financial Year ending June 2011 Number % of Jobs Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 1,637 1.9 Mining 430 0.5 Manufacturing 4,369 5.0 Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste 1,151 1.3 Services Construction 6,540 7.5 Wholesale Trade 2,127 2.4 Retail Trade 12,559 14.4 Accommodation and Food 12,638 14.5 Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing 5,903 6.8 Information Media and 889 1.0 Telecommunications Financial and Insurance Services 1,511 1.7 Rental, Hiring and Real Estate 3,317 1.9 Services Professional, Scientific and 5,191 4.2 Technical Services Administrative and Support 4,736 5.4 Services Public Administration and Safety 4,666 5.4 Education and Training 4,972 5.7 Health Care and Social Assistance 9,114 10.5 Arts and Recreation Services 1,386 1.6 Other Services 4,046 4.6 Total industries 87,191 100 Business Count In 2009 there were 14,701 businesses registered in the Cairns region. Of these businesses, 20.6% were in Construction, 12.4% were in Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services and 8.5% were in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services. Business By Industry Cairns Regional Council 2009 Industry No. % of total Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 999 6.8% Mining 51 0.3% Manufacturing 577 3.9% Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste 24 0.2% Services Construction 3,023 20.6% Wholesale Trade 322 2.2% Retail Trade 1,068 7.3% Accommodation and Food 845 5.7% Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing 1,120 7.6% Information Media and 87 0.6% Telecommunications Financial and Insurance Services 871 5.9% Rental, Hiring and Real Estate 1,818 12.4% Services Professional, Scientific and 1,251 8.5% Technical Services Administrative and Support 687 4.7% Services Public Administration and Safety 57 0.4% Education and Training 174 1.2% Health Care and Social Assistance 579 3.9% Arts and Recreation Services 195 1.3% Other Services 642 4.4% Not Classified 311 2.1% Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Business Register 2009. Source: National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) 2011 8

Size of Business Of the total number of businesses operating within Cairns 12,615 (94.8%) were small businesses, 600 (4.5%) were medium businesses and 87 (0.7%) were large businesses. Employment size of registered businesses Cairns Regional Council 2009 Business size (employees) No. % of total Small (0 to 19) 13,936 94.8 Medium (20 to 99) 662 4.5 Large (100+) 103 0.7 Total 14,701 100 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, 2009. Average Annual Income During 2008-2009 the average annual personal income in the Cairns region was $41,588. This was lower than the average annual personal income for Queensland ($44,239). Building Approvals In the 12 months ending 31 December 2011, there were 399 residential dwelling unit approvals in the Cairns Regional Council area. These approvals were valued at $121.5 million and accounted for 1.9% of the total value for the state. The value of nonresidential building approvals for the same period was $312.2 million and was 4.6% of the overall total for Queensland. Commercial, Retail and Industrial Rents The Cairns region offers competitive commercial, retail and industrial rents. CBD Retail Property (AUS$ per square metre per annum gross) Type Rental Range Rental Vacancy Trend Tourism Precinct $1,000 - $2,500 stable average (eg. Cairns Esplanade) Prime CBD $600 - $1,000 stable average Secondary CBD $250 - $450 stable average CBD Shopping Centre (specialty store) Source: Herron Todd White Type $500 - $1,000 stable average/ low Commercial Property (AUS$ per square metre per annum gross) Rental Range Rental Trend Vacancy Quality Inner CBD building less than 10 years old with car parking $300 - $360 stable increasing Quality Fringe CBD building less than 10 years old with car parking $200 - $285 decreasing increasing Older CBD building without car parking $120 - $175 stable high Quality Office building on arterial roads less than 10 years old $200 - $300 stable/ decreasing increasing Older Office building on arterial roads $175 - $225 stable low Source: Herron Todd White Industrial Property (AUS$ per square metre per annum gross) Type Class Rental Range Rental Trend Vacancy Bulk Retail / Warehouse A $175 - $230 decreasing low Light Industry / Showroom A $120 - $150 decreasing average B $100 - $125 decreasing average Heavy Industry A $90 - $120 decreasing average B $80 - $100 decreasing average Source: Herron Todd White Last Updated: 1 August 2011 9

OUR PEOPLE, OUR PLACE Growing Population The population of the Cairns region as at June 2010 was estimated to be 168,251. Population growth remains above the Queensland average, making this one of the fastest growing regional economies in Australia. From June 2009 to June 2010, Cairns population grew by an estimated 3,897 people or 2.4% The average annual population growth rate in Cairns between 2005 and 2010 was 3.5% compared with 2.5% for Queensland. The population of major urban localities/centres within the region include: 5.0 % 4.0 % 3.0 % 2.0 % 1.0 % 0.0% Estimated Resident Population (% change from previous year) 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 Year Ending June 30 Gordonvale 5,739 Smithfield 3,653 Craiglie 3,234 Mossman 2,110 Babinda 1,317 Port Douglas 1,038 Australia Queensland Cairns Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australian Demographic Statistics, catalogue no. 3101.0 and Regional Population Growth, catalogue no. 3218.0 Medium-series projections indicate that the region s population is projected to increase between the years 2006 and 2031, from 147,538 persons to 241,494 persons. 10

Young Demographic In the Cairns region, 21.2% of persons were aged 0 to 14 years and 69.5% were aged 15 to 64 years. Contrary to other lifestyle regions, such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, the Cairns region has a lower percentage of people within the 65+ category with just 9.3% of its population in the 65+ category compared to 12.3% for Queensland, 14% for the Gold Coast and 17% for the Sunshine Coast. Estimated Population by Age, June 2010 0-14 15-24 25-44 45-64 65+ Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Cairns 35,669 21.2 22,396 13.3 52,443 31.2 42,074 25.0 15,639 9.3 QLD 901,542 20.0 644,985 14.3 1,278,876 28.3 1,121,066 24.8 567,381 12.3 Region as a % of QLD 4.0 3.5 4.1 3.8 2.8 Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2009, cat. no. 3235.0 As at 30 June 2009, the median age for Cairns region was 35.1 years. This compares to a higher median age of the Gold Coast (37.3) and the Sunshine Coast (40.9). The median age in Queensland was 36.1 years. Skilled Workforce At the time of the 2006 Census, there were 34,771 persons aged 15 years and over with a post-school qualification in the Cairns region. This equates to approximately 49% of the population within this age group. Of persons aged 15 years and over with a post-school qualification, there were 25.5% with a Certificate, 8.5% with an Advanced Diploma or Diploma and 15% with a Bachelor degree or higher. The proportion of the population with qualifications is notably higher than the regional Queensland average, highlighting Cairns as a well-skilled destination to do business. Qualifications of the Cairns Labour Region, 2006 Qualification 2006 number % of Cairns % of Regional QLD Bachelor or Higher degree 10,677 15.0% 12.5% Advanced Diploma or 6,030 8.5% 6.5% Diploma Certificate IV Level 1,472 2.1% 2.0% Certificate III Level 14,264 20.1% 19.3% Certificate I and II Level 969 1.4% 1.6% Certificate Level, nfd 1,359 1.9% 1.7% No qualification 31,989 45.1% 51.3% Inadequately described/not 4,240 6.0% 5.1% stated Total 71,000 100.0% 100.0% Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2006 11

High Quality Lifestyle Situated between the World Heritage listed attractions of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforests, Cairns typifies all aspects of beauty, sustainability and green living. No other place in Australia offers such a wonderful mix of sophisticated city life combined with the untouched natural wonders of the rainforest and reef. A cosmopolitan region, Cairns is home to people of many different cultures and nationalities. An abundance of vibrant community festivals and celebrations are held each year in the Cairns region, including: Cairns Festival Port Douglas Carnivale Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Cairns Blues Festival Babinda Harvest Festival Gordonvale Pyramid Race and Country Fair Cairns Ukulele Festival Cairns Buskers Festival Cairns Underwater Film Festival Time Out Music Festival ReggaeTown World Music Festival The region offers a range of activities and experiences to cater for residents and tourists alike. It provides a balanced lifestyle which exemplifies environmentally sustainable living by the sea. Tropical Climate Located in the Wet Tropics, the region s climate is warm and humid during summer months with cool dry winters. Typical daytime temperatures range from 14 to 26 C (52-78F) in mid-winter/dry season, and 24 to 33 C (75-91F) in mid-summer/ wet season. Affordable Living Active Living / Sporting Events Cairns has a perfect environment and climate for outdoor activities and adventures. The region hosts international and national sporting teams and events and boasts some of the best sporting facilities in the country. Major sporting events held in the region include: The Cairns Airport Adventure Festival encompassing Ironman Cairns Triathlon Cairns Amateurs Horse Racing Davis Cup and the Cairns Tennis International at the Cairns International Tennis Centre Triple RRR (Rural, Rainforest, Reef) Mountain Bike Race International hockey at the Cairns Hockey Centre Australian Football League (AFL) at Cazaly s Stadium National Rugby League (NRL) and Super 15 (pre-season) at Barlow Park National Basketball Association (NBA) at the Cairns Convention Centre (home of the Cairns Taipans) Annual Great Pyramid Race at Gordonvale International Futsal tournament Other adrenaline based activities include white water rafting, scuba diving, bungy jumping, rock climbing and sky diving. Cairns international standard events are supported by a wide range of facilities including the international award winning Cairns Convention Centre and the International Tennis Centre. Information on the wide range of sporting, community and cultural events and venues on offer to residents and visitors alike can be found on Council s website: www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation Affordable living adds to the region s attractiveness with lower weekly rents and median house prices when compared to any major capital city or similar sized regional city in Australia. Statistic Period Indicator Change over quarter % Housing affordability Median Property Prices House Dec 2011 $335,000-4.4% Unit Dec 2011 $215,000-1.8% Median Weekly Rents House (4 bed) Dec 2011 $370 2.8% Unit (2 bed) Dec 2011 $250 0% Source: REIA, Cairns December Quarter 2011 12

World Leading Educational Facilities The Cairns region s industry and skills needs are supported by a number of high quality educational facilities including: James Cook University: Located in Smithfield, the university offers a range of subjects including Arts, Business, Creative Industries, Dental Surgery, Education, Information Technology, Languages, Law, Nursing, Planning, Psychology, Science, Social Science, Social Work, Exercise and Sport, Engineering, Geology and Marine Science. JCU is home to approximately 4,000 students and was ranked in the top 5% of the world s tertiary institutions by Shanghai Jiao Tong World Ranking of Universities. Recently completed projects include the School of Dentistry (opened in January 2011), the Queensland Tropical Health Alliance and its new medical research laboratory (opened in July 2011) and the Tropical Medicine Mosquito Research Facility. The Cairns Institute, scheduled to be completed in May 2012, will be a dedicated institute for enhancing life in the tropics world-wide through research excellence in the humanities and social sciences. Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE offers a diverse range of nationally recognised programs and courses across eight campuses. The TAFE delivers quality-assured programs to more than 15,000 domestic, international and commercial clients annually, with almost 200 programs in a range of vocational areas. The Great Barrier Reef International Marine College: The Great Barrier Reef International Marine College opened in February 2011 and is one of the best equipped marine training centres in the southern hemisphere. Comprising a Full Mission Bridge Simulator, Emergency Response Simulator and an immersion pool, as well as the required facilities for Helicopter Underwater Escape Training, the College caters for local, national and international students. Cairns Aviation Skills Centre: The Cairns Aviation Skills Centre (CASC), located at Cairns International Airport, is a purpose-built aviation training centre of excellence offering internationallyrecognised aircraft maintenance qualifications. CASC s leading partner Aviation Australia is a worldclass aviation training provider established and whollyowned by the Queensland Government. CASC is now the leading aviation technical training centre in the Asia Pacific region. International Education Services: The Cairns region also delivers a broad range of international education services and is the number one study tourism destination in Queensland. There are currently over 20,000 students per year representing a range of nationalities and cultures. Accredited professional bodies provide a wide selection of general and specialised English language courses that immerse students in the language and offer flexible learning pathways. Study Cairns (www.studycairns.com.au) is the region s leading education and training network and actively works to promote international education and training services. Primary and Secondary School Education: The Cairns region offers 89 State primary schools, 27 State high schools and 25 private schools including boarding facilities. Early Childhood Education and Care Services: The Cairns region is supported by a total of 110 early childhood education and care services. This comprises of 4 Family Day Care centres, 15 Kindergartens, 61 Long Day Care centres and 30 School Aged Care facilities. 13

World class TROPICAL RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE The Cairns region s world class tropical research facilities play an important role in assisting local businesses access new opportunities. James Cook University James Cook University is Australia s leading research university with a focus on the tropics. JCU in Cairns conducts nationally significant and internationally recognised research in areas such as marine sciences, biodiversity, tropical ecosystems, conservation and climate change, global warming, tourism, and tropical health, medicine and biosecurity. www.jcu.edu.au The Cairns Institute The Cairns Institute is an international research, consulting and training hub with a focus on tropical knowledge and innovation. www.jcu.edu.au/cairnsinstitute Tropical Medicine Mosquito Research Facility Key elements of dengue mosquito control research are conducted at the Cairns Campus Tropical Medicine Mosquito Research Facility. Dengue is an enormous global problem, with over 100 million cases annually across the tropical and subtropical world. Queensland Tropical Health Alliance (QTHA) The QTHA is a unique collaboration among Queensland universities and research institutes, creating a wealth of tropical health and medical research expertise in the tropics. Research is focussed on reducing the burden of tropical diseases in Queensland and other tropical regions. Australian Tropical Forest Institute (ATFI) ATFI is a hub for research, development and commercialisation opportunities based on the biodiversity of tropical forests. It facilitates collaboration, co-location and regional partnerships for the sustainable use, management and conservation of tropical forest landscapes. www.jcu.edu.au/atf Australian Herbarium The Herbarium brings together the tropical plant specimen collections of the Australian National Herbarium, Queensland Herbarium and the JCU Herbarium to form one of Australia s largest and most diverse collection of tropical plant specimens. The Australian Stinger Research Unit (TASRU) The world leading Tropical Australian Stinger Research Unit has an active medical, biological and scientific research program, covering many aspects of Box jellyfish ecology and biology. www.jcu.edu.au/interest/stingers Reef and Rainforest Research Centre The RRRC manages and delivers one of the world s most comprehensive tropical environmental research portfolios through a consortium of fifteen research agencies involving the work of more than 300 leading tropical scientists. www.rrrc.org.au www.qtha.org.au 14

internationally CONNECTED Air Cairns International Airport is Australia s leading regional airport, providing air links to a range of domestic and international locations. Cairns Airport offers direct domestic flights to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Townsville as well as to Alice Springs and Ayers Rock (Uluru) and regional centres. International flights include Auckland, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Guam, Port Moresby and to Singapore via Darwin. The Cairns Airport is ideally located only 7kms from the city centre. Connectivity to the region by air < To UK/Europe Singapore Perth Hong Kong Darwin Ayers Rock Alice Springs Adelaide Osaka Domestic Guam Port Moresby Cairns Townsville Brisbane Gold Coast Sydney Melbourne Source: Cairns Airport Auckland International Sea Port of Cairns is a multi-purpose regional port that caters for a diverse range of customers from bulk and general cargo, cruise shipping, fishing fleet and reef passenger ferries. The Cairns region has become the base for extensive general cargo coastal shipping services to Cape York Peninsula, Torres Strait and Gulf ports as well as Papua New Guinea and Papua Indonesia. Port of Cairns is one of Australia s busiest cruising destinations with both major international cruise ships and a number of domestic cruise vessels operating out of Cairns. The Cairns Marlin Marina is a 217 berth marina accommodating a variety of cruising vessels, superyachts and reef vessel operations servicing the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef Fleet Terminal provides the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef for more than 650,000 passengers that visit the reef from Cairns each year. Road and Rail Located on the Bruce Highway (the major coastal highway in Queensland), Cairns provides an important freight and transport link to Brisbane and other major southern centres. Cairns is the northern terminus for Queensland s North Coast railway line, which follows the eastern seaboard from Brisbane. The Cairns region offers passenger services to southern centres via Queensland Rail and freight to southern destinations via QR National and Pacific National. 15

INVESTING IN CAIRNS Cairns business advantages present an ideal investment environment: growing economy; growing population; low business operating costs; young, highly skilled workforce; affordable housing; and a strategic Asia Pacific location. Cairns Regional Council directly supports investment Cairns Regional Council directly supports investment in Cairns through its Investment Attraction Incentives Program. Investment attraction incentives are available to businesses to attract future investments in key strategic industries. The nature and scale of the proposed investment will stimulate significant economic and community benefits, and diversity, and value-add to the wider regional economy beyond the growth of the business itself. Direct financial incentives will be considered for the most strategically important projects which will add diversity to the economy, support jobs and investment growth, and provide a net community benefit. For more information on the Cairns economy or how Cairns Regional Council can support your investment project, please visit Council s Invest Cairns website www.investcairns.com.au or contact Council s Economic Development and Innovation team on + 61 (0)7 4044 3366 or email economicdevelopment@cairns.qld.gov.au 16

Major Investments Major investment in the region include: Under Construction: Cairns Base Hospital $446 million Total project cost incl. Radiation Oncology Unit Lotus Glen Correctional Facility Upgrade $445 million Cairns Airport Domestic Terminal Re development $200 million Cardwell Range Realignment $115 million Cairns Homemaker Centre & Masters Hardware $75 million Mt Sheridan Shopping Centre Expansion $50 million Cairns Institute James Cook University $25 million Cairns Foreshore Re-development (AKA cubbyhouse) $23 million Tropical Centre for Oral Health James Cook University $16.3 million Redlynch Shopping Centre Expansion $15 million Captain Cook Highway Reconstruction $3.7 million Commencing early mid-2012: Rio Tinto South of Embley Project (Weipa) $1.5 billion Stage 1 Mt Emerald Wind Farm $550 million Cairns Entertainment Precinct $155 million Bruce Highway Upgrade $150 million Cairns Airport International Terminal Upgrade $15 million Port Douglas Recreation Hall/Cyclone Shelter $5.5 million Tully Recreation Hall/Cyclone Shelter $5.7 million National Braodband Network Cairns Region Commencing 2013: High Road Wind Farm (Herberton) $90 million Cairns Transit Zone & Public Transport Network $100 million 17

REGIONAL CONTACTS Advance Cairns www.advancecairns.com +61 (0)7 4080 2900 Arts Nexus www.artsnexus.com.au +61 (0)7 4051 4433 Australasian Aviation Group www.aviationcairns.com.au +61 (0)7 4034 8101 Austropex www.australiantropicalexpertise.com.au +61 (0)7 4080 2900 Cairns & Far North Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland www.cciq.com.au/regions/cairns-and-far-north-queensland +61 (0)7 4050 0700 Cairns Chamber of Commerce www.cairnschamber.com.au +61 (0)7 4031 1838 Cairns Convention Centre www.cairnsconvention.com.au +61 (0)7 4042 4200 Cairns Landscaping Industries Cluster Inc. www.clic.net.au +61 (0)7 4080 2905 Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils www.fnqroc.qld.gov.au +61 (0)7 4044 3343 James Cook University www.jcu.edu.au/about/campuses/cairns +61 (0)7 4042 1111 Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce www.pdcc.com.au +61 (0)7 4084 0285 Queensland Government www.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 Real Estate Institute of Queensland www.reiq.com Study Cairns www.studycairns.com.au +61 (0)7 4080 2902 Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef www.superyachtgroup.com +61 458 794 001 Tourism Port Douglas Daintree www.pddt.com.au +61 (0)7 4099 458 Tourism Tropical North Queensland www.ttnq.org.au +61 (0)7 4031 7676 Tropical North Queensland Food Network www.tasteparadise.com.au info@tasteparadise.com.au Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE www.tnqit.tafe.qld.gov.au +61 (0) 7 4042 2422 or 1300 656 959 18

TROPICAL INNOVATION AWARDS 2012 The Tropical Innovation Awards The Tropical Innovation Awards recognise, reward and support innovation and invention across the far north Queensland region to support economic diversification and sustainability. Showcasing Your Success The Tropical Innovation Awards provide an opportunity for inventors, innovators and businesses to showcase their inventive and innovative ideas, projects and processes to potential investors, mentors, government officials and the public. It is an opportunity for applicants to realise the potential commercial value of their invention or innovation and contribute to the export and employment potential of the region. Applicants can apply for one of the following categories: Emerging Innovation, Established Innovation, Innovation of the Year and the Youth Award. Applicants will also be eligible for the TNQ Innovation of The Year Award, and the People s Choice Award. For more information please visit our website. www.tropicalinnovationawards.com The Tropical Innovation Awards aims to firmly establish the region as a centre for tropical expertise and ensure that the region s creativity remains on the leading edge in our fast changing world. 19

Contact us! Economic Development and Innovation Department Cairns Regional Council PO Box 359 Cairns QLD 4870 Phone: +61(0)7 4044 3347 Email: economicdevelopment@cairns.qld.gov.au