Strong belief in our region
WITH A HUGE EXPANSION IN THE WORKS, BABINDA SPRINGS GENERAL MANAGER MARK SCHIERHUBER REMAINS CONFIDENT THAT CAIRNS AND SURROUNDS OFFERS SO MUCH POTENTIAL, WRITES ALICIA NALLY IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL APPROVED A MAJOR $5 MILLION EXPA
THE very characteristics that make Far North Queensland a perfect place to live are the same ones that throw up everyday challenges for business.
But Mark Schierhuber has known all that for more than a decade and still believes in the opportunity the region can provide, not just to the tourism industry.
In November last year, Cairns Regional Council approved a major $5 million expansion of the Babinda Springs water bottling plant – a project expected to create 39 ongoing jobs, as well as about 50 jobs during the construction phase.
It’s a project Mr Schierhuber, as Babinda Springs general manager, is looking forward to.
Even before the announcement, demand for the water – pumped up from a spring 32m deep called the Babinda Valley Aquifer – had been reinvigorated since AquaWorks took over the business four years ago.
The range includes 600mL, 1.5L and 15L bottles, as well as water coolers, and independent water tests are conducted each month.
Growing up in Fairfield, NSW, the now 60-year-old had no idea what he wanted to do so fell into a fitting and toolmaking trade at his father’s workplace.
He then studied engineering and management – with some photography and dark room developing techniques on the side.
“I love all things technical and to be in control of what is done, why it’s done, how it’s done and when it’s done – hence the shift to management,” Mr Schierhuber said.
“Circumstances in my early years found me as the last man standing in the business I was employed with when the management and engineering staff all left to start their own business.
“At 20 years old I was thrust into having to deal with a factory that needed to continue to run efficiently and so began many long and intense hours of technical development, team building and studying at night.”
His biggest lessons have come from a steely intellect.
“Ask questions and never accept the status quo as things are rarely what they initially appear to be,” Mr Schierhuber said. “Show respect and never burn a bridge. Supportive friends and family are precious – look after them.”
Moving to Cairns in 2006 has meant Mr Schierhuber has seen businesses come and go as a result of global impacts.
“I suspect that the amazing trio of hotels new to Cairns has reset the bar and shows a huge leap of faith in the potential for Cairns as a tourism desti
I LOVE ALL THINGS TECHNICAL AND TO BE IN CONTROL OF WHAT IS DONE, WHY IT’S DONE, HOW IT’S DONE AND WHEN IT’S DONE — HENCE THE SHIFT TO MANAGEMENT MARK SCHIERHUBER
nation, but outside of that I feel that the Queensland Government fails to do enough to support business in Far North Queensland,” he said.
“Despite modern transport and communications, we are very remote and the tyranny of distance can be very challenging for manufacturers and exporters in particular.
“We don’t have the support and or services available to more populated and central cities or regions, so we have to be adaptable and show plenty of ingenuity to succeed.
“You won’t find a successful business in this region that isn’t prepared to do whatever it takes and think completely out of the box for solutions to issues, challenges and opportunities. The same things that make Cairns a great place to live can also limit the resources available to business, so we need to retain skills and make every effort to develop our people to excel.
“Of course, no discussion on the challenges for Cairns would be complete if we didn’t acknowledge the impact of weather. The heat, humidity, rainfall and glorious days all make for challenges to actually getting anything done.
“Despite being a fairly small economy, we have many amazing and resilient people making Cairns a great place to work and live.”
Pride in his sons Benjamin, 31, and Mitchell, 29, has deepened since the loss of wife Sharon recently.
“They share my drive and commitment and their mother’s amazing personality,” Mr Schierhuber said.
“My wife was so beautiful and was my childhood sweetheart since I met her at age 13.”
Outside of work, Mr Schierhuber can be found fixing and restoring things.
He loves motors, cars and bikes and is currently restoring a 1940s Queenslander and Massey Ferguson tractor.
Brekky on the Esplanade on a weekend with friends is also one of his popular pastimes.