Open for business

LOCAL business leaders will advertise Townsville as being “open for business” to hundreds of potential investors from across the country at a networking event tonight in Brisbane.

The Townsville Enterprise event, which is being held at Parliament House, will aim to attract investment to the region, provide regional updates and connect senior political, industry and business leaders.

More than 300 people will attend, with guests travelling from as far as New South Wales and Victoria.

TEL chief executive officer Patricia O’Callaghan said the objective of the event was to draw state political leaders’ attention towards Townsville.

“This is a strategic opportunity ahead of the State Budget ( in June),” she said.

“On top of our local community ( attending), we also have high level developers and investors from across the country.

“The evening’s program is an opportunity for them to hear what is happening.”

Ms O’Callaghan said in light of MMG’s mining announcement yesterday, which revealed that Townsville had been named the fly- in fly- out hub for the northwest Queensland zinc operation, general manager Dugald River Pierre Marlan would also be speaking.

“It’s the first time that an initiative like this has been held,” she said. “The time is now.”

Managing director of UDP Pat Brady, who will speak at tonight’s event as part of a panel, said it was an exciting first for the region.

“This is the first time, en masse, ( for a) gathering of lo- cals outside of Townsville,” he said.

“It’s going to be fantastic – when the Premier speaks at an event it draws people.

“I think she will have a number of things to say about the potential of the region.”

Mr Brady said part of the panel’s job was to showcase the opportunities of the private sector and “to go and do the heavy lifting”.

“It’s traditionally been quite difficult to just sit in Townsville and expect that developers and potential investors will jump on a plane and fly up on a whim,” he said.

“I think it’s part of our job in a modern society to go and advertise ourselves. “We’re open for business.” Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the event would bring together a raft of people from a diverse range of industries.

“It will expose these people to Townsville’s potential and awaken them to a workforce community that’s eager to get things moving,” he said.

“I absolutely think it will be a worthwhile venture.

“It won’t only expose the city but it will also give the opportunity to give greater networking and expand and diversify where we go into the future.”