Page 59 - Tropic Magazine Issue 11

Tropic
Opinion

density developments? There are definitely places where 4-6 front we have created the best resourced start up hub in
storey buildings belong, including around the shopping centres regional Queensland. On an investment front Cairns is home to
at Smithfield, Edmonton, Westcourt, Earlville and Pease Street. the first regional Angel Investment Group in Australia.
As the winds of change continue to blow globally with
Why? everything from AI to electric cars looming on the horizon, our
Does Cairns need higher density development? Residential entrepreneurial spirit will ensure our region continues to adapt
accommodation units near shops, schools and bus routes create and thrive.
vibrant places, during and outside business hours. Imagine All of this makes me excited about the future in Cairns as we
what over 200 new residential units would do for the pubs, embrace change and see new businesses develop.
cafés and shops of Smithfield. Higher residential density
generates retail MORE: halpinpartners.com.au
employment and also builds
opportunities for business
employment. In contrast,
imagine what 200 Nicky
additional vehicles on the Jurd
road in the Clifton
Beach/Palm Cove area Techpreneur +
would do for the morning food blogger
commute. Precedence
Who?
So, once higher density
developments are built, who More food tourism, please
lives there? All of us! From B
ig positive changes hit the Cairns food scene in the last 12
people looking to downsize months with entrepreneurial new businesses and event
and still live in the same organisers taking a punt on the local market - and winning!
suburb to kids looking to move out of home, a unit is a good We are loving the two regular pop-up style events Meet Eat
entry point into the housing market. How good would it be to Repeat and Cairns On A Fork. They are outdoorsy, have a
be able to buy a unit within walking distance of the movie laid-back festival vibe and channel our tropical lifestyle.
theatres at Earlville or Smithfield? They’re also victims of their own success as the overwhelming
It is time for all of us to sit up, take notice and build an public support have led to parking issues and vendors selling
informed opinion on how the city should grow before out of food early. But this just shows that our appetite for food
development arrives unexpectedly “in your backyard”. events is strong.
MORE: planztp.com Surely, we will continue to see new players in the food truck
scene too as budding entrepreneurs are encouraged by the
strong attendance figures. I love that they are often in the
‘burbs too, breathing new life into communities and shifting
events from being city-centric. Port Douglas, Innisfail and the
Tablelands have had annual food events for years, it’s awesome
Shaun to see Cairns getting its fair share!
Donaldson Visitors to the region are also in for a treat as a few new food
Director tours have started, and more under development. But sadly,
Halpin Partners the Far North sorely lacks a strong food tourism presence and I
hear frequent complaints that our local governments and
tourist organisations are not particularly supportive of new
food endeavours. A cohesive support network is needed to
Entrepreneurial spirit sets Cairns apart reduce red tape and drive destination marketing in
City Growth T establishing our region as one revered by foodies far and wide.
he recent sale of Trinity Petroleum capped a remarkable
One of my local food heroes is Clinton Fang Yuen. Not only has
ith cranes on the skyline there is more talk than usual period in Cairns which has seen the sale of a diverse range he built a world-class manufacturing facility but he has opened
about Cairns being ‘primed’ for growth. of businesses across many sectors including accommodation, the doors to other local manufacturers to dramatically grow
There are applications for 8-storey residential developments in tourism and agriculture. Many of these businesses were started their production capabilities through his plant. He’s even
Palm Cove and Clifton Beach, where we would expect 3-4 storey as small local operations that grew over time to be large, established the FNQ
buildings – which is nothing taller than a palm. Would you be successful companies that employ lots of staff and support the Food Incubator to
comfortable with 6-8 storey buildings in your suburb or your region via charities and sponsorships. Collectively, they help food businesses
street? It is time to start the conversation with Cairns Regional represent the entrepreneurial spirit that has thrived in the get started. We
Council about leaving a legacy of rationally planned higher region for many years. definitely need more
density, that is in the community interest. I have had many successful long-term Cairns business people like Clinton. Next on
Without our voice, our Council is under more pressure to tell me that this entrepreneurial spirit is one of the key things the list... a full
surrender to private interests and to permit them to develop in that sets our city apart. This is the spirit that drove the weekend dessert
a way that maximises the developer’s advantage with little or no generation of businesses owners now moving onto the next festival. Can someone
concern for the public interest. phase of their life and is still evident in our community today. get this sorted? I’m in.
On a local business front, we have Norweld, a local
Where? manufacturing business (yes manufacturing!) opening up MORE:
Are some places better than others when it comes to higher distributorships in Brisbane and Sydney. On an innovation precedence.com.au