A weekly re-cap of the events that have made news in Cairns over the past week.

Monday July 16, 2001 23rd Edition

Business confidence continues to climb in Cairns with the result of a major survey showing an optimistic outlook for the future. After a five year period of no growth and extremely difficult economic conditions in general, most industry sectors are now looking to the future as optimists. There are a number of very large capital works projects on the drawing board that are all due to commence in the coming months. Tourists numbers are very strong, particularly the Japanese, North American and European markets. Traditionally the most lucrative for Cairns. After a long period of uncertainty the future is definitely looking good.

The Cairns economy best for "two years"
A new confidence survey released in the last week has shown that business confidence in the City has reached a high. Following a very depressed two year period, this new found confidence supports other key factors such as the building boom, increasing tourist numbers and the development of a number of new industry segments.

The survey, FNQ Snapshot Business Confidence Survey July-September 2001 was compiled by Kleinhardt Corporate Advisers after interviewing 80 decision makers at the Chief Executive Officer or owner level in small and large organisations. All industry sectors (except fishing) were included in the survey. The two most optimistic industry sectors were Information Technology and Tourism.

Cairns Real Estate Agents blitz awards
The Cairns Real Estate industry has been given a major "thumbs up" from Judges at this years Far North Queensland Real Estate Industry Awards last Saturday. The Cairns agents won every category of the awards. Real Estate Institute of Queensland regional representative, Mr Les Freeman was impressed by the number of entries in this years event which culminated in the gala event which was attended by over 200 people.

More sports tourists headed to Cairns
Hot on the heels of the highly successful British Lions Tour, Cairns is set to reap the benefits of another group of sporting tourists. The World Veterans Athletics Championships are being held in Brisbane and there are over 6000 athletes attending. A large proportion of this group and their support teams are expected to visit Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef after the event is finished.

The value of sporting tourism to Cairns is becoming increasingly significant each year and by all indicators, the value of this tourism sector will continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

Cathay Pacific flights resumed
Cathay Pacific has recommenced flights into Cairns and most other Australian capital cities following cancellation of services as a result of industrial action in Hong Kong. The industrial action was caused by a dispute between the company and its pilots. The resumption of the services into Cairns has been welcomed, particularly for companies wishing to send freight into Asia. Following the loss of services to Singapore, Hong Kong remains the central destination for a large amount of North Queensland produce, particularly live fish.

Golf Day helps man to hear again
Michael Williams has been deaf since he was born. He is now 26 years of age and thanks to thanks to $5000 donation from a Cairns fishing and associated industry golf day, he will soon be receiving a cochlear ear implant. Mr Williams will be travelling to the Royal Brisbane Hospital for the operation on October 9.

NQEA confident of winning contract
Cairns based ship builder NQEA is confident of winning a $450 million contract to build 14 new Fremantle Class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. The company built the first series of Fremantle Class boats between 1975 and 1986. If awarded the contract over 500 jobs would be created for up to ten years providing a huge financial injection for Cairns.

New crocodile farm opens in Mareeba
The developer of a new crocodile farm and processing plant in Mareeba (west of Cairns) has expressed support for the ongoing development of the industry as a whole. Mr Fisher, owner of the Mareeba based business, believes that there is significant demand for quality Australian crocodile leather and finished products. He also believed that the industry as a whole had little communication and co-operation between operators, which could be improved for the benefit of the whole industry.

Home approvals support nationwide figures on housing boom Housing approvals submitted to Cairns City Council have more than doubled since the introduction of the Federal Governments $14,000 first home buyers grant. All building approvals including shops, warehouses and extensions for June totalled $21 million. The sale of land also showed a marked increase with sales increasing by 400% in March and April.

Work begins on sporting track
The $2.1 million upgrade of the Barlow Track sporting venue is expected to commence after a motion to rescind a Cairns City Council decision failed. A sponsor is being sought to assist with the upgrade, in an attempt to make the Barlow Park grounds a world class venue. The project has been on the drawing board for a number of years, with considerable public debate regarding the extent and the style of the finished venue.

Good news follows the demise of Flight West
After a period of uncertainty regarding the future of flights throughout regional Queensland (as a consequence of the collapse of Flight West airlines), the Queensland contracts have been awarded to a number of other airlines to ensure that the routes continue. For many of the more isolated communities air travel is often the only access route, especially in the wet season when roads can be cut for months at a time.

Major resort planned for Clifton Beach (north of Cairns)
Plans for a major resort development at Clifton Beach have been approved by the Cairns City Council. The development will incorporate a 100 motel style units, an 89 bed hostel, gym, squash court, lap pool, basketball court, bar and restaurant. The resort will be built on a prominent site on the main highway heading north. Strict council restrictions apply to all developments and the same rules have been applied to this development which is yet to be named.