Bid for export hub grant
REGIONAL Development Australia Far North Queensland & Torres Strait is working with Cairns Regional Council and a team of stakeholders to apply for a $10 million Queensland State Government grant to establish a Regional Export Distribution Centre at the Cairns Airport.
The export centre aims to boost access of agricultural produce to key international markets and grow jobs in surrounding regional areas.
“Capitalising on Queensland’s global reputation as a leader in the production and processing of quality agricultural products, this initiative seeks to catalyse the develop munities ment of high-value farming and processing and grow regional job creation,” RDA FNQ & TS chairman, David Kempton said.
Since registrations for the pilot project opened in May, more than 30 regional com FAR and businesses have registered interest in hosting the $10 million produce export distribution centre.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said regional agricultural produce proposed to be exported from the centre ranged from beef, fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood through to dairy products and even bush tucker.
“The export centre will create regional jobs and enhance productivity, capitalising on our global reputation as a leader in the production and processing of quality agricultural produce,” he said.