Welcome to Northern News, one of the many engagement forums where Enterprise North will discuss the issues that matter to each of us. Kevin Byrne, Enterprise North Inc.
The months roll around too quickly it seems. Herewith a round up of some issues making news. For more regular updates you will find us on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.
Our final communication for the year and at the outset can I wish you all a wonderful festive season and a prosperous 2019 and thanks heaps for all the support throughout the year.
At Enterprise North we have been focussed on participating in a progressive debate around the key issues that will drive our population growth, grow our economies and deliver on our prosperity. That is really what our membership constantly tells me so it is time for so some HARD TALK. We really welcome the increased discussion on the role that the Cairns Port plays in our regional economy and the support we are at last seeing from others demanding some REAL traction around the need for some inclusive planning. Of course being the high profile issue that it is, there are many lining up behind it with their hand in the air. The unsatisfactory nature of current situation was highlighted by ourselves when we released our version of the Cairns Port 2050 plan incorporating the Admiralty Island Freight Park which we believe to be a viable non-controversial option and an ideal starting point for any strategic planning considerations. That comprehensive report was accompanied by statistics backing our position. You can access that at http://enterprisenorth.org.au/current-projects/admiralty-island/. Shortly after that release we commenced a process whereby the plan and the rationale behind it was presented to a number of parties locally as well as representations to Brisbane and Canberra in September. At the same time, we were calling for traction on the often-promised coordinated development of a marine maintenance sustainment hub in Portsmith that has had more VIP visits in the past 2 years than I care to remember. The planned development of the Cairns Port is critical to the future of this city. We raised this matter formally in August and you can access a copy of typical correspondence at http://enterprisenorth.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Senator-Canavan-Cairns-Port-2018-15.08.18.pdf. There is much more available that shows in detail what we have done and I am happy to provide additional documentation separately on request. Subsequent to all this activity initiated by ourselves, the Department of State Development released a GHD options report commissioned in September 2016 into the development of a Cairns Marine Maintenance Facility to accommodate the requirements of the Defence Department. You can see that report at https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/cairns-marine-precinct-growth-strategy/resource/98691da4-7e28-4005-afe1-894ab5d94815. So, what does this mean and where to next? Put simply we need a coordinated Port Development Plan and the responsibility for this rests with Ports North who need to drive this in cooperation with the Cairns Regional Council and the Dept of State Dev and other parties including Defence. Our city and region will double the population and more by 2045 and there will be at least twice the activity in the port necessitating it to double its capacity at least. Once we have a plan and direction then investment, including from Defence, will surely follow. It is not complicated and all this talk and noise regarding Global Tourism Hubs, mysterious and unsubstantiated commentary around strategic Defence requirements and sustainment matters is just a sideshow. Show us the plan and show us the money to implement it and success will follow.
Another pleasing outcome in recent weeks has been the national discussion regarding population growth and the effects on congestion in the major capital cities and the misguided nexus between that and immigration. We have long argued for the need for a fair dinkum population policy debate where the regions are considered in the same breath as the cities. This is something that needs some national leadership, where the need for population growth across the north is recognised and encouraged by a suite of policy measures addressing employment, training, individual and business taxation incentives and government decentralisation of services at both State and Federal levels. For too long the discussion has been that coerced migration does not work but this article here certainly puts a lie to that https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/regional-migrants-in-for-the-long-haul/news-story/c0837dbe8ea1442474ad9c2365e0f5d9
There is little doubt that there will be increasing focus across the north of Australia as there is resurgence in mining an energy resources development so we are ideally positioned to have Local Governments partnering up regionally with State and Federal Governments to drive this growth agenda. At the end of the day it needs to be recognised that this debate now is an admission of the failures of planning across the country and an inability to recognise the need for planned and sustained infrastructure spend. Where is the voice of Infrastructure Australia been in all of this? See here https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/infrastructure-australia-report-calls-for-planning-overhaul/news-story/c416872546497558379b158ab5697032. There is some interesting commentary here although we would not be supportive of leaving up to the states alone to run this issue. It needs a COAG agreed approach https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-population-annastacia-palaszczuk-to-decide-how-big-she-wants-states-population-to-be/news-story/6298578e23325b54fd92748efb83341b
Aligned with discussion is the matter of immigration and working visas more generally. Again, another issue impacting on our ability to be economically competitive. There is the capacity for our region to negotiate what is known as a DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) which provides for additional flexibility regarding interpretation of and a broader application across a greater range of skills. There is only one in operation presently and that is in Darwin. The current processing backlog and the additional burden of increasing costs to employees is most pronounced in our regional areas where access to a large pool of appropriately skilled and employee ready people is pretty well non-existent. Despite the consistent warning signs precious little has been achieved. Currently the Cairns Chamber of Commerce is driving the regional business case as part of the early commonwealth engagement to have a DAMA agreed for Cairns. This is a complex process and ideally should be driven by both the Commonwealth and the State together as both trumpet the need for jobs and employment growth. Details on DAMA link are at https://www.cairnschamber.com.au/files/media/original/176/be6/7bb/DAMA-Workforce-Needs-Survey-for-Employers—141118.pdf
And talking of jobs expect to hear a lot about this early next year from both sides of the aisle. The Member for Cairns has been discussing this here recently https://backtowork.initiatives.qld.gov.au/
It is important that for organisations such as ours to represent a broad cross section of views regarding our economy. Here is one take that was sent to me this week. It is interesting and talks about confidence https://www.nestegg.com.au/property/12631-the-enigma-the-booming-coastal-town-investors-shun. And talking of confidence, it is wonderful that the Council has commissioned the Performing Arts Centre. Whilst the project attracted some controversy regarding its location, accessibility to car parking and issues re cladding and safety, the end result has been a wonderful performing arts asset that will serve the community well for decades. Video at https://www.facebook.com/7NewsCairns/videos/2022138488077852/
As part of ongoing advocacy we are constantly engaged in the discussion to lower our energy inputs to industry, business and of course individuals. It is unfortunate that the national energy debate has been ambushed by partisan opportunists. If ever there was a case to reign in rogue states and have an agreed national energy framework underpinned by sustainable policy it is this issue. Here is a take on this from the Federal Energy Minister Angus Taylor https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/industry-giants-cant-compete-without-reliable-power-taylor/news-story/871e27f83205e4b795e8241ee5be74d7 then days later as if to emphasise the point of divergence, this story here appeared and disappeared within 48 hours yet the issue for Queenslanders remains, more at https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-government/palaszczuk-government-overcharging-queenslanders-460-a-year/news-story/54340c644473e242332dab393c346e1a
That’s probably enough for this take on events for now. Lots to follow up on early 2019. Progress on the Global Tourism Hub development? progress on marine facilities upgrade and the development of a port strategic growth plan? progress on the Convention Centre redevelopment? will the CRC lodge a cities Deal? progress on Nullinga Dam? progress on Kuranda Range Road? progress on DAMA?….this is a big list not to mention developments in the aviation space and the growth of our export capacity……good luck and safe travels.
Kevin Byrne
Enterprise North Inc.
Social Media Messaging
The challenge for any start up organisation like ours is getting the message out to the target audience efficiently and effectively. Our messages are around what we do and why we are doing and that is growing our economies and population. There are a few videos discussing items of interest on the web but here is a sample of what is out there. Please engage with Enterprise North and share your ideas on our social links at Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin or by leaving a comment below.