CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK Uni gives city helping hand
JAMES Cook University has launched a plan to inject confidence back into the coronavirus-dazed Cairns economy.
The university has encouraged staff to used mandated “volunteer days” as tourists in the Far North, will encourage procurement using local vendors and work to move conferences normally held in Townsville to Cairns.
“The thinking is that we are fundamentally-concerned members of a community that is really hurting,” Cairns campus director David Craig said.
“The university considers itself a key part of the northern Queensland community.
“We know that the travel ban has had a serious impact on the economy. There are people in this community that are hurting.”
In an email to JCU staff, Mr Craig indicated six initiatives designed to give the local economy a shot in the arm.
“While there are no simple solutions to this, I’m sure you, like me, are keen to support our northern Queensland communities,” Mr Craig wrote.
Staff will be encouraged to use their volunteering days to support local tourist activities.
“It would create the opportunity to spend a day trip or long weekend ‘being a tourist’ in our region,” the email continued.
He said that “for the next period of time” more university conferences and meetings would be held in the Far North.
“Cairns people tend to head to Townsville for conferences. We’ll reverse that,” Mr Craig said.
Senior staff will also be based in Cairns for several days at a time around those events.
University purchasing officers have been encouraged to ‘shop local’ in order to inject money into Cairns retail and wholesale suppliers.
“We are putting a particular emphasis on it now,” Mr Craig said.
“As a university we try to procure at the best price.
“In this instance if we can purchase it locally that is what we are going to try to do.”
He said there was no limit to what could be purchased.
“It could be anything, from furniture and stationery, repairs, maintenance and toilet paper – if we can find any.”
He said local businesses would also have access to counselling services on a pro bono basis.
“While everybody is impacted, Cairns is especially so,” Mr Craig said.