The Cairns region's economic competitive advantages are founded on our location, natural assets and industry specialisations. Cairns has a tropical climate, abundant water, rich biodiversity and a strong lifestyle advantages.
As a developed economy in the tropics, Cairns has the technology, health, education and social structures within a politically stable environment to capitalise upon our natural environment and our tropical location. The region's competitive industry specialisations extend beyond the core of tourism and agriculture to industries such as marine and aviation, the provision of tropical expertise and the supply of support services to businesses, industry and the community.
The Cairns region is perfectly positioned - it is a safe, secure and fully serviced multicultural community. World-class education, health and tourism infrastructure add to a highly desirable lifestyle in an enviable climate. You can read more about the region's innovation, business and lifestyle at the Cairns: Perfectly Positioned website. Cairns: Perfectly Positioned is an initiative of Advance Cairns and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce to promote the region's expertise and opportunities, and is proudly supported by Cairns Regional Council.
Our Strengths:
- Population growth: Cairns has experienced strong population growth over recent decades.
- Tourism: Our established market and brand is an important advantage for the region.
- Lifestyle: Good weather and the overall quality of life are seen as driving factors for business growth and investment.
- Culture: Cairns is multicultural and cosmopolitan with many different ethnic groups contributing to the lifestyle and economy.
- Innovation: Cairns' businesses are actively involved in innovation.
- Geographic location: Our proximity to the Asia/Pacific region with the associated development in these areas means Cairns is well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities.
- International airport and seaport: Direct international flights and sea connections.
- Tropical economy: Cairns has developed a critical mass of knowledge and capacity in tropical expertise.
- Natural environment: Our natural environment is a core economic and lifestyle asset.
- World-class education, training, research and development: Existing facilities include JCU, TAFE, CASC, GBRIMC with established research and development capacity.
- Renewable energy technology inputs: Water and agricultural by products means Cairns is particularly suited to the production of renewable energy.
- Access to workforce: Approximately 135,000 people live within a 30 minute drive of Cairns.
- Young population: In comparison to other lifestyle regions, Cairns has a young population.
- Sport and cultural infrastructure: Strong sporting and cultural infrastructure including an international standard convention centre and sporting facilities, and a major regional cultural and entertainment precinct under development.
- Industry clusters: Diverse and productive industry clusters including Tourism, Aviation, Marine, tropical expertise, Education and Food.
- Mining activity: An increase in mining activity in the surrounding regions and in PNG has the potential to provide significant supply and employment opportunities.
- Regional events: Diverse national and international events generating significant economic activity and regional vibrancy.
Cairns Regional Council offers a suite of financial and non-financial investment incentives to attract and encourage investment to the region. If you are thinking of investing in the Cairns region, or want to know more about what the region offers, contact us to discuss how we may be able to support your business venture.
