Cairns economy gets a lift in spending. Image: Tourism Queensland.

"The Cairns Economic Future Plan will inject $116million in new and accelerated funding into the region, supporting 760 additional jobs and 500 new training places," Ms Bligh said in Cairns last month.

"It will essentially provide a lifeline for the Cairns economy, creating jobs, boosting skills, improving infrastructure, and supporting local business.

"The plan builds on our government's 2009-2010 commitment of $1.3billion in capital works for the region supporting 9,000 jobs like the $11.2million redevelopment of the Trinity Wharf cruise liner terminal.

"The Cairns Port precinct is an established gateway to the Cairns tourism industry, but its potential as a maintenance and training hub for the Pacific Rim is also becoming increasingly clear.

"The Cairns Economic Future Plan will foster this transformation, with construction to begin early next year on an $8 million Marine Training College at the precinct.

"The plan also commits new funding of $42.2million to upgrade several sewage treatment and water purification works, including the Innisfail water treatment plant -- an essential step towards protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations."

Ms Bligh said, "$57 million will be spent on environmental health infrastructure projects in Aurukun, Mornington Island, Doomadgee and Hope Vale and $10million for works associated with the Remote Indigenous Housing National Partnership Agreement.

"All these building projects mean work for local builders and contractors."

Ms Bligh said several Indigenous initiatives are set to receive funding, including a $1.75million grant to build the Wujal Wujal Art Centre and a further $1.2million for the Indigenous Art Fair in 2010 and 2011.

"The plan includes a clear strategy to attract annual events to the region, which in turn will mean more jobs and more tourism revenue, however tourism alone is not enough to secure the region's economic future," Ms Bligh said.

"It is more critical than ever to diversify by developing new and traditional industries, so this plan will continue to build Cairns and the surrounding region as an aviation hub, a centre for marine training and a leader in the field of tropical expertise.

"The regional export market will also benefit, with the appointment of a special trade representative for Papua New Guinea (PNG) who will generate future business and increase exports to the nation -- a market worth $575.7million last financial year."

MARINE PLAN SET AFLOAT

The new State Government jobs plan for Cairns includes a $2.5million funding injection to help grow the local marine industry.

Ms Bligh said the money would be used to establish an inshore craft training simulator and maritime safety facility at the Great Barrier Reef International Marine College.

"Construction of the $8million College, which will be situated in the Cairns Port precinct, will commence in February," Ms Bligh said.

"This extra $2.5million will ensure that the Marine Training College is a one-stop-shop for marine training for the region, which means more local jobs and more international and national students flocking to Cairns."

Ms Bligh said $1.5million would go towards a marine safety training resource at the college.

"There is enormous demand for this in Cairns -- currently, deckhands and other trainees have to travel to Brisbane or Sydney to do water-based simulated safety training," she said.

"The remaining $1million is slated to build an inshore craft simulator at the College for training on small boats, barges, catamarans and tourist charters -- training that is currently undertaken in Freemantle in WA."

Ms Bligh said the marine sector was vital to Cairns and Far North Queensland with growth opportunities in training and education, defence shipbuilding, port expansion and marina expansion.

"The region, which includes Cairns, Weipa, Port Douglas, Cooktown and the Torres Strait, has enormous competitive advantages for the marine industry," the Premier said.

"It currently turns over $670million a year and employs almost 4500 people but there is still room for growth.

"Cairns is considered one of Australia's largest marine tourism, fishing and coastal shipping ports and is the marine capital of the country's north.

"Outside of Sydney, it's the most visited port for major cruise ships. It's the major marine training location for Queensland TAFE, has two commercial fishing bases, a naval base, a thriving superyacht industry and the largest concentration of dive tourism industry in the country.

"In establishing the college we skill up a whole new work-force and have the ability to attract students to Cairns from across the Asia Pacific."

http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/

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