Page 10 - Tropic Magazine Issue 13

EDITOR’S
LETTER

Gavin King

They say size doesn’t matter. But let me of Cairns to potential new residents. We
tell you... when it comes to cities, it most market this remarkable place to tourists
certainly does. around the world to visit for a few days at
Too small, and a city can’t afford the a time. Now, we need to market Cairns for
necessary services and social infrastructure livability and opportunity. Contact me on
to survive. Too big, and it’s a nightmare of the email address below to find out more
overcrowding, congestion and pollution. about the Brand Cairns campaign we’re
But a right-sized city commands respect, working on with local businesses.
wields power and influences public policy.
A city that is just big enough doesn’t OUR BIGGEST EDITION
rely too much on government handouts. It’s been an absolute pleasure working
Obviously, it requires regular funding for with the superbly talented teams at both
major infrastructure but it has the people Crystalbrook Collection and the Cairns
power at election time to make it happen. Taipans for the biggest magazine we’ve
“ massive 132-page edition, a sight not seen
ever produced. Right now, you’re reading a
in print since the publishing heydays over
A bigger population...
a decade ago. Not only are we celebrating
a self-sustaining the opening of Riley in this edition, we’re
also proud to partner with the Taipans to
economic engine room commemorate their 20th season in the
” in our city, and we’re supremely proud to
NBL. This edition marks a turning point
capture it for you here. It must be noted
we couldn’t do what we do here at Tropic
With the right population fit, the Cairns
economy would be a self-sustaining engine HQ without the support of you, our reader,
room with enough people to consistently and the many businesses who partner and
fill the cafes and bars, boost retail advertise with us. We consider ourselves
spending, and attract larger cultural events extremely privileged to celebrate our
like music concerts and sporting matches. vibrant region on every page and bring
A bigger population might even spark you this magazine every two months. Our
the need for a shake-up of the traditional 100% local company Tropic Group is about
media landscape, such as a vibrant weekly to enter its third year, but it feels like we’re
news publication, creating a more engaged just beginning. Watch this space.
community in the process. In general, a
bigger population will create more jobs in a
positive feedback loop that feeds and fuels
itself.
Right now, Cairns is home to about 165,000
people. It’s not enough. Local economist
Bill Cummings predicts we’ll grow to a
city of up to 460,000 people by 2050, but
state government statisticians aren’t as
bullish, suggesting a more modest growth
trajectory. Gavin King
That’s the long-term outlook. To [email protected]
supercharge our population in the next
five years, it’s our belief at Tropic HQ that PS: Grab a subscription to Tropic, an
our city needs to work together to launch a engaging read in this digital age. Email us
marketing campaign selling the livability at [email protected] for details.

10 • Tropic • Issue 14