The people of the Far North have certainly shown that there are individuals in the midst willing to step up and lead the town back to a recovery after experiencing its worst economic setback since the pilot strike. The people leading the charge need to be commended.
THERE ARE a small group of individuals all doing their bit on the sidelines to encourage political support for this region from a Local, State and Federal level, as well as design a new future plan for the long-term economic sustainability of this region.
The people who need to be thanked and applauded are those behind the following organisations:
Cairns Forum, Cairns Chamber of Commerce, Advance Cairns and Tourism Tropical North Queensland. There are some real go getters amongst this bunch who are catching up for meetings and developing events and plans for this region without being paid for it and without asking for praise. Yes it is the role of Advance Cairns and TTNQ to push forward for the region’s greater good as they out of everyone have people in roles paid to do so, but they could all quite simply sit back and do what everyone else in town has been so quick to do of late and that is to bag one another and play the blame game and sit on their hands and do nothing, but they haven’t. They have all taken on board the very real and feasible ideas and suggestions of the business community and the brilliant ideas which have come out of Cairns Forum and have put their heads together and created an action plan and a new focus for this region. They are now leading the charge and taking the pollies along with them as they convoy down to Brisbane and Canberra and get some real action in this region.
Now that’s what I’m talking about – real leaders, willing to stand up and fight for their town despite their political differences – Go Cairns Go!!
It is early days yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you hear of a few announcements from government to help save this region from further decline in time for Christmas! – at least that’s my hope.
Tell me your thoughts about this month’s Editor’s Note or let me know about something you feel needs to be raised – email me directly e: editor@itib.com.au
Here are some responses to last month’s Editor’s Note entitled “Show Me The Money” by our Editor In Chief Danae Jones.
Dear Editor,
I couldn’t have put your ‘rant’ (October Editor’s Note) better myself. The entire region, in all aspects, seems to be devoid of leadership and planning. ALL of the industry representative bodies need to form a coalition to present an exceptionally strong case to Canberra for some bail-out funds. Rob Giason’s comments in the latest TTNQ newsletter echo yours – but we are talking to ourselves. We need, as a community that is truly suffering, to SCREAM in a collectively loud voice.
Our local politicians are doing absolutely nothing except mouthing platitudes, and scuttling back to Brisbane or Canberra.
A body consisting of, at least, Chamber of Commerce, Advance Cairns, TTNQ, Cairns Airport, Building Industry, Regional Council and other vital employment groups needs to get their collective heads together and put some emergency plans together now.... As a very well respected businesswoman of this community could you lead this charge? We need someone with passion who is articulate and not afraid to speak out. I’ll vote for you!
Shelagh Murphy
Palm Cove, FNQ
Dear Editor,
I couldn’t agree more about the lack of action. However: I have a different spin on why we have a lack of it.
As long as we are waiting around for governments, airlines or “others” to solve our economic situation then action will continue to be in short supply. My belief is that if we are not getting contracts then we are simply not doing something right.
Cairns businesses need to start putting their efforts into what they “can do” to be more competitive. Up skill, read your magazine, follow best practice when applying for contracts.
There are too many businesses in this town loosing contracts because they did not do enough to get them.
The day Cairns decides to stop looking for others to solve their problems will be the day Cairns take’s control of its own destiny once again.
Getting people to stand up and find situations where we can apportion blame in the faint hope that some politician will come along and change things is not great business advice.
How about we ask: Stand up if you can identify what we need to do to start winning more of these contracts. Whistle blow if you can see a better way.
The rest as you say is easy - ACTION.
Believe it or not, the WFC could be the best thing to have ever happened to Cairns - if we choose it to be.
John Carr
Stratford, FNQ
Dear Editor,
What you have highlighted is nothing new, the leadership in this city is a vacuum, the results speak for themselves. If you keep using the same bait, you will keep catching the same fish, or in this case tadpoles. Outcomes will not change until we change the leadership.
It is easy to do what you and I are currently doing, squawking from the sidelines. We need new leaders to put on the boxing gloves and jump in the ring. Do you know somebody who should have a go???
Fred Ariel
Cairns, FNQ
