CAIRNS REGION CITY DEAL PROPOSAL OCTOBER 2019 CAIRNS CITY DEAL PROPOSAL 1 RESIDENT UNEMPLOYMENT GREAT BARRIER REEF VISITORS POPULATION (TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND REGION Y/E 31 MAR 19) 4.7% 4.4% 1/7 (MAR 2019) (JUL 2019) 9.0% (JUL 2019) $56B Cairns City Cairns 306,000 Youth One of the seven 2050 (projected) Unemployment Region (SA4) natural wonders of Unemployment the world 165,000 Economic, social and (today) icon value 2,300 2.0m 849,000 Cairns City Resident GROSS REGIONAL KILOMETRES LONG Domestic visitors International visitors Population spending $2.3B spending $1.1B PRODUCT Covering an area of (Y/E 30 JUN 18) 2 286,000 344,000 km 467,000 (today) 64,000 JOBS 2050 (projected) Far North Queensland (FNQ) Resident Employment Population 1,625 supported CAIRNS HOSPITAL 8.9% SPECIES OF FISH Proportion of population $8.8B $15.4B (10% of the world’s fish 82,714 Total that is Indigenous (highest of species) admissions any Australian city) Cairns Far North Queensland (y/e 30 Jun 19) >6,000 Total staff employed $6.4B ANNUALLY HOUSING (JUNE 19) CAIRNS AIRPORT 600+ Economic TYPES OF HARD & (PASSENGER MOVEMENTS Y/E 30 JUN 2019) Contribution MEDIAN PRICE SOFT CORALS WET TROPICS RAINFOREST $418,000 House 686,000 International $209,000 Unit 4.2m Domestic $200,000 Residential Land 2.0m 1.8 % Rental vacancy rate 7th Busiest airport in Australia HECTARES OVER WATER Bioregion area 2,800 Cairns and FNQ region’s water Plant Species run off as a % of: AGRICULTURE 60% Queensland’s total CAIRNS SEAPORT (FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND) 26% Australia’s total 35% Cargo movements $2.95B Sector value of Australia’s 60% (y/e 30 Jun 19) Average annual rainfall (Far mammal species of Australia’s $1.81B Export value 1,998mm North Region) 552,000 tonnes Export butterfly species 754,000 tonnes Import 5% JCU CQUniversity TAFE 952 Average annual Students enrolled 3,913 1,684 11,269 $5.2B growth in cargo Total vessel TERTIARY ANNUALLY 40% arrivals Persons employed movements 1,213 162 381 Economic of Australia’s bird (last 5 years) (y/e 30 Jun 19) EDUCATION (CAIRNS CAMPUS) Number of courses 134 127 180 Contribution species CAIRNS AT A GLANCE CAIRNS AT 2 CAIRNS CITY DEAL PROPOSAL TRIPARTITE SUPPORT FOR A CITY DEAL FOR CAIRNS he Cairns City Deal is the roadmap for our future. It will airns is an economic powerhouse in the north, we are also hen I look ahead, I’m genuinely excited by the Tdeliver confidence for industry and investors, create Cone of the largest cities in Northern Australia and a gateway to Wpossibilities for Cairns. Continued population local jobs and deliver a more diverse economy. the Asia Pacific Region. It has a unique combination of economic growth, a strong and diversified economy and an enviable It will significantly build on our strengths in sectors potential, geographic location and liveability which means the city quality of life mean Cairns is a city ‘on the up’. But we such as tourism, education, health, agriculture and is strategically positioned as a growth centre for both Northern can’t rest on our laurels. To make the most of these manufacturing. But more importantly, it will unlock an Australia and the State of Queensland. opportunities, we need to effectively plan for the future unprecedented level of investment across three levels of and maintain our focus on delivering the projects, policy And so, it is with pleasure that I write to support the Cairns government. and investment our community both needs and deserves. Regional Council’s proposed City Deal which has the potential to Throughout 2018, Council led the development of the accelerate the delivery of a number of key projects that have been One key aspect of the deal will be the establishment of Cairns 2050 Shared Vision. With input from all levels of identified as being instrumental in improving our economy and the a new and innovative industry in our region to help with government and a diverse range of stakeholders from quality of life for those living in our region. the collection and recycling of plastics recovered from across our city and our region, this vision provides a our oceans and coastlines. The implementation of a City Deal will ensure that infrastructure roadmap to deliver economic prosperity and liveability for The Cairns City Deal is about working together to improve projects are linked with urban governance and ensure sustainable our community. funding into the future. It will improve the lives of residents through the liveability for thousands of people who call Cairns Next Step – A City Deal. Our shared vision provides the job creation, economic growth, investment in local infrastructure, a home. When we work together amazing things are platform to secure a City Deal for Cairns. A tripartite revitalised urban centre and a more vibrant and liveable city. achieved. In negotiating this deal, we want to make agreement between all three tiers of government, a City sure we capitalise on the city’s advantages in a way we Cairns has an enviable reputation as a world class tourism Deal for Cairns would fast track many of the priorities haven’t before. destination founded on our natural resources and unique in our vision and secure an even brighter future for our Whether that is in education, health or continuing to protect natural environment. A City Deal will contribute to the ongoing community. Using the Cairns 2050 Shared Vision as its and preserve our natural wonders such as the Great Barrier development of our important tourism industry, in addition to foundation, this document sets out the projects and Reef. It will also include major infrastructure projects other important industries, whilst accommodating our growing initiatives that should be packaged within a City Deal for including addressing concerns surrounding the Kuranda population and ensuring our environment’s protection. Cairns. Range. The City Deal will be a collective program ensuring measured I welcome of the support of Federal Member for A Cairns City Deal will be a game-changer for our region and it and calculated planning, as our city continues to grow in both Leichhardt, Warren Entsch and State Member for Cairns, will ensure continued prosperity for generations to come. population and economically. Michael Healy. Working together, we’re committed to delivering a City Deal for Cairns and to making life even I sincerely look forward to working with Cairns Regional I fully support this concept better for our community. Council Mayor Bob Manning and the State Member for Cairns Michael Healy to ensure the City Deal becomes a reality. Warren Entsch MP Michael Healy MP Cr Bob Manning Federal Member for Leichhardt State Member for Cairns Mayor of Cairns CAIRNS CITY DEAL PROPOSAL 3 BACKGROUND Making Cairns an even better place to live, visit and do business airns is the capital of Far North Queensland (FNQ), the largest region in Northern Australia (population circa 286,000) and is a strategic Cgateway to the Pacific, Asia and beyond. With a resident population of 165,000 people and an average 30,000 additional visitors staying in the city on any given night, Cairns is one of the largest and most dynamic regional cities in Australia. Unique liveability and solid economic fundamentals have seen Cairns experience significant population growth (2.3% per annum in the 15 years to 2016) – well in excess of the national growth rate. Significant private investment and renewed business confidence has also seen the Cairns region unemployment rate reduce significantly in recent years. The region’s unemployment rate currently sits at 4.4% (SA4, Jul 19). A unique combination of economic potential and superior liveability means Cairns is ideally positioned as a growth centre of strategic significance to both Northern Australia and the State of Queensland. But in order to realise this potential, Cairns will rely on the three levels of government working closely together to deliver the projects, policy and investment that will truly make a difference for our community. A City Deal for Cairns formalises this tripartite collaboration around an agreed set of priorities. CITY DEALS – BACKGROUND A STRONG FOUNDATION THE COMMITMENT REQUIRED City Deals are a key mechanism to deliver on the It is recognised that in order to be effective, a City Deal Cairns Regional Council is calling on the Federal opportunities and challenges in Australia’s cities by for Cairns needs to be developed in the context of a and Queensland Governments to join Council bringing together the three levels of government, the broader regional strategy to ensure such initiatives are in signing a Statement of Intent (SoI) for the community and private enterprise to create place-based complementary and contribute to the realisation of a long partnerships. They work to align the planning, investment term vision. With this in mind, Cairns Regional Council and establishment of a 10-year City Deal for Cairns and governance necessary to accelerate economic growth key regional stakeholders have worked together to develop based on the priorities outlined in this document. and job creation, stimulate urban renewal and drive the Cairns 2050 Shared Vision (www.cairns.qld.gov.au/ economic reforms. City Deals are designed to secure the vision2050). future prosperity and liveability for Australian cities. The SoI will provide an agreement between the three levels This vision also incorporates the views and priorities of of government to work together to design and implement In June 2018, the Joint Standing Committee on Northern the Cairns community as expressed through the 2016 Our a City Deal for Cairns. It will also represent a commitment Australia released its report ‘Northern Horizons – Cairns Survey, a community survey conducted by Cairns from all levels of government to collaborate with industry Unleashing Our Tourism Potential’.