Cairns Update
The Cairns Chamber of Commerce has seen a number of significant, positive initiatives and changes in the last 12 months. We have a highly driven, and refreshed operations team who each bring to the table a wealth of knowledge and experience. Fiona, one of our Business Development Managers and I both own small businesses, Bianca our other Business Development Manager is a former employee of Commerce Queensland (now known as Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland), Projects and Events Officer Laura has been employed for many years in small business, and Geoff our Migration Manager has two decades of immigration experience working for the Australian Government. As a team we are extremely passionate about small business and understand the opportunities and challenges local businesses face on a day to day basis.
After the successful launch of the Far North Queensland DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) in mid-September, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce has already received and approved applications. The FNQ DAMA allows Far North Queensland employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill from the Australian market. It is tailored to address current and emerging labour market shortages and local terms and conditions of employment. Whilst our main priority is to employ Australians first and foremost, we are seeing many businesses struggling to operate at an optimal level whilst trying to find employees with the required skill sets, and as a result some businesses are closing their doors. The FNQ DAMA can be accessed immediately through the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, with the Cairns Chamber being the first non-government Designated Area Representative (DAR) with the ability to endorse businesses seeking to access a DAMA.
For more information on the FNQ DAMA, or to apply, please visit our website, cairnschamber.com.au.
Cairns has seen some fantastic infrastructure growth this year, with the opening of another new five-star hotel in the heart of the CBD. On Wednesday 20 November 2019, Bailey, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, completed by one of our members PRIME Constructions, opened its doors for the first time. The resort hosted an extravagant opening event Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland and Ghassan Aboud, founder of G.A. Group who own Crystalbrook Collection both in attendance. The night was an exciting taste of what is yet to come for our growing region. Flynn, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, which is the third and final instalment in the Crystalbrook Collection Resorts that have been underway in Cairns CBD for the past few years, is scheduled to open in March 2020.
On Friday 18 October 2019, we held our Annual Golf Day at the Cairns Golf Club. It was, as always, a huge success. The 120 attendees had the opportunity to network whilst enjoying a round of golf. We are currently planning our upcoming events for 2020, with exciting things in store which we cannot wait to share with our members.
On behalf of myself, the Cairns Chamber Operations Team and Management Committee, we hope you have a fantastic break over the festive season, enjoying precious time with your family and friends and we look forward to working with you in the New Year.
