BUSINESS Recognising the region’s top talent
BUSINESSES will be given the opportunity to gain insights into major infrastructure projects in North Queensland when a major projects pipeline report is launched in Townsville.
The report will be released at a breakfast event hosted by Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland, Queensland Major Contractors Association and Infrastructure Association of Queensland on June 14.
RDA CEO Glenys Schuntner said the report had showed Northern Queensland had the strongest growth prospects in the pipeline for all regions.
“The report indicates that North Queensland has projects in the pipeline worth $ 8.2 billion over the next five years,” Ms Schuntner said.
“So it’s important that our local businesses and those working in construction, engineering, planning and development attend the launch event to learn more about the opportunities that will come with renewed growth in our region.”
Ms Schuntner said the keynote speaker would be the CEO of Building Queensland, Damian Gould, followed by the report curator and Associate Director BIS Oxford Economics, Adrian Hart.
The report is considered the leading source for construction activities and major projects, planned, in progress and completed across the state.
It has identified 190 projects with a combined expenditure of $ 39.9 billion over five years.
The breakfast event will start at 7.30am at The Ville Resort- Casino.
To purchase tickets go www. rdanwq. org. au/ events to A START- UP culture of entrepreneurs using new technologies to create micro businesses has been reflected in record entries to this year’s North Queensland Chambers Business Awards.
The awards, staged by the Townsville Chamber of Commerce, have also been widened this year to include entries from surrounding chambers, towns and districts.
Townsville chamber executive of- ficer Marie- Claude Brown said the response had been amazing with 24 finalists in five categories selected from about 100 entries.
There had also been strong corporate support for the awards from 15 sponsors, she said.
“The awards have been operating since 1997 and we have been able to see a change in the business landscape reflected in the applicants,” Ms Brown said.
“Traditionally, the awards have attracted a lot of the professions across Townsville but this time we are also seeing entries from people in light manufacturing, agricultural production, creative industry and technology.
“We often talk about the jobs of the future. The applicants this year are really a cohort that is demonstrating that the future is now.”
Young Business Person Award finalists are Adrian Part of Modern Project Solutions, Jenna Morello of TalkNQ Speech Pathology, Kyle Page of Dancenorth and Maddy Voinea of Blue Kino.
Business Solution Award finalists are Bare Naked Industries, Bellasato Farm, Sharehouse Youth Program and Townsville Ten Pin and Fun Centre.
Ms Brown said the use of new digital technologies such as video was prominent, while there was also a trend towards the formation of niche businesses
“Yes, there continue to be large organisations that employ a lot of people but this year we have a marked number of very small businesses.
“These are people who have started businesses themselves and are employing up to four or so people and are doing very well.
“The jobs being created are not traditional, they are really something people have invented themselves and they can really make a living out of it.”
Ms Brown said the awards night scheduled for The Ville Resort- Casino on June 8 was shaping as a huge event and encouraged people to book early.
For further information go www. townsvillechamber. com. au to