Cairns Update
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce continues to make progress with the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA), which aims to fill the critical skills gap our local businesses are experiencing with the help of the immigration system.
While the federal government approved the FNQ DAMA in April, the agreement is now live. Businesses interested in applying for support through DAMA should go to the FNQ DAMA page on the Chamber website, which explains the application process and hosts a list of the occupations available.
There are many businesses having difficulties in hiring and retaining skilled workers, and we encourage those businesses looking to fill the jobs they can’t currently fill to start putting together their cases now. We have been given a cap of 200 applications for the first year of the five-year agreement, which we anticipate will be easily reached. Formal information sessions for businesses and migration agents will be held in the second half of October. For details, please visit the chamber website.
Cairns is currently experiencing some really positive developments, such as the $176 million upgrade of the Cairns Convention Centre which was announced in August and due to commence work next year, and the opening of the temporary-tourist attraction the Reef Eye Ferris wheel which will remain at the Esplanade until the end of November. (If you haven’t checked it out already, do – it’s bloody awesome.) I have to mention also, the almost-finished dredging of Trinity Inlet which will widen the inlet to allow bigger vessels like cruise ships and superyachts to enter. The widening of the channel is part of the $127 million Cairns Shipping Development, which will not only allow ships of larger size and passenger numbers to berth in Cairns, but also open Cairns up to the opportunity for a naval presence.
Unfortunately, negative media is overshadowing the positive stories from our city, and the Chamber is proactively working with TTNQ and Advance Cairns to coordinate more positive stories around Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and recent regeneration program successes and the many positive developments underway. We are also working with Cairns City Council to review trade in the CBD, and how we can attract more people into the city.
As this magazine goes to print, we welcome Cairns Chamber of Commerce’s new CEO, Patricia O’Neil. Patricia is highly experienced and has a strong commitment to, and belief in, local business. She has worked in the media industry in Cairns for the last 13 years. During this time, she has worked closely with both the business and corporate sector in building strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Cairns region. Patricia joins the Chamber at a good time, as we are in a strong position right now, having experienced phenomenal growth the past year. I am proud to say we are now one of the biggest regional chambers of commerce in Australia.
In 2018, the Cairns Young Chamber (CYC) relaunched and this year have demonstrated passion and commitment to our city. I am excited by what the CYC is planning for the next 12 months, and we will certainly support them every way we can.
Our Annual Golf Day will return, October 18, and is always a great day out. We will host a business luncheon on October 29 and our Christmas luncheon November 26. For all event details and to book, please visit the Chamber website.
