Advance Cairns update - July 2014
By: Advance Cairns Project Officer, Kellie Jordan...
Cairns Investment
Cairns Investment was identified as a project out of the Regional Investment Strategy. It includes a website designed to be a coordination point for prospective investors, project proponents and people seeking economic information and resources. A dedicated investment opportunities hub includes a register of potential projects throughout the region, facilitating connections between private enterprise, industry, community and government agencies, by connecting investors with investment opportunities to encourage economic development in Tropical North Queensland.
Rural and Remote Area Economic Training Program (RRATP)
The RRATP is based on the recognition that regional and remote areas of Australia, including remote and Indigenous communities, are currently missing some of the expertise available and needed in the area of economic development. It is the intention of the programme to provide insights into tackling common economic development challenges faced by regional and remote areas by making available Economic Development Australia (EDA) practitioners with a variety of diverse backgrounds and experiences. The RRATP aims to deliver a positive impact for regional and remote motivated communities.
EDA's purpose is to promote sustainable economic development across Australia. Its membership exceeds 400 with State Practitioner Networks established in each State. EDA is committed to supporting economic development practitioners to increase the social, economic and environmental prosperity of Australian communities.
Local Government Economic Development Reference Group
A Local Government Economic Development Reference Group meeting was held on 5 May. The discussions/ outcomes of the meeting were as follows:
• Reference Group to engage with counterparts in North Queensland (Townsville etc.) to share discussion on areas of cross-over and to build relationships outside the TNQ region. Meeting to be organised for second half of year.
• Regional Investment Strategy: AC to work one-on-one with individual LGAs to decipher investment strategy and how it applies at local government level. Proposal for LGAs to implement Business Investment Framework Policy.
• Regional Investment Prospectus being reviewed; feedback from stakeholders to be provided by 6 June.
• Suggest all ED practitioners connect with Economic Development Australia, either by becoming a member or through their LinkedIn page.
Film and Television industry project
Earlier in the year, Advance Cairns received funding from the Department of Employment through the Local Employment Coordinator, to collaborate with the screen industry in the region on developing a strong and capable industry.
The project deliverables included:
• Skills audit and gap analysis of film and television industry skills and infrastructure in Far North Queensland.
• A documented capability statement, setting out the current skill sets and capability in the region.
• A strategy for structured school work experience and placement in the local film and television industry for FNQ school students who are currently studying film and television and for job seekers who may not have previously worked in the industry.
• A strategy for film and television industry related training and employment for job seekers who may not have previously worked in the industry.
• A series of professional development workshops for existing FNQ film and television workers to address their current film and television skills gaps.
• Mentoring arrangements for current local crews, to help them gain relevant new skills and broaden their film and television industry capabilities.
This project is now complete. Advance Cairns hopes to maintain momentum with this work by encouraging the industry to form a peak representative/ coordinating body for the industry. A workshop will be held in the coming weeks to further discuss this concept.