Page 27 - Tropic Magazine Issue 25

TROPIC • ECONOMY

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ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Tropic’s list of 17 reasons to
be positive about the Cairns
economy.

Yes, there’s a lot to deal with right
now. The coronavirus pandemic
has up ended our lives, hitting our 2 Council’s Gallery Precinct 4 JobKeeper extended
businesses and dominating the There’s $1.5 million in this year’s This is a big one for our city. Data
news cycle for the past 6 months. The Cairns Regional Council budget to released in June showed a staggering
uncertainty challenges our resolve finish refurbishment work at the 3,600 businesses in Cairns are
to remain upbeat, to see the light Courthouse building on Abbott St, claiming JobKeeper, the highest rate
at the end of the long tunnel. As a due for completion in November. of any Queensland postcode and
counterpoint to all that, however, That’s a precursor to Mayor Bob the fifth highest in the country. New
we know good things are happening Manning’s grand plan to create an arrangements will be in place after
all around us. To remind us that it’s integrated Gallery Precinct in that September 27.
pocket of the CBD, incorporating
not all doom and gloom right now, the art gallery and old Mulgrave
the Tropic team has unearthed 17 Shire building. While council hopes
things to look forward to in the local the State and Federal Governments
economy and give our confidence will chip in about $13 million each
levels a much-needed kick in the to create the $40 million project,
process. Our advice? Read the list, Cr Manning announced during the
reflect and carry on. local government election campaign
in March that council would go it
alone if the other tiers of government
refuse to stump up the cash. The
clock is ticking – let’s see what
unfolds over the next few months.
5 Potential for population
3 State election promises growth
The state electorates of Cairns and Now that we know we can all work
Barron River will be a hot contest in from home, coupled with widespread
the state election on October 31, so concern about living in congested
1 Botanica sales are we can expect some decent promises capital cities, there’s a unique
powering ahead and project commitments from both opportunity to supercharge our
This $90 million over-50s residential sides of the political ledger over the population. A bigger residential base
development continues to record next few months. State finances have would benefit us all and set our city
strong sales while construction of course taken a battering due to on a course towards a self-sufficient
activity is buzzing at the Caravonica COVID-19 – not to mention the fact economy. Cairns needs to present its
site. Botanica demonstrates the huge that the Budget bottom line wasn’t case to people living in Sydney and
potential for Cairns to attract awesome before that - so it will be Melbourne and entice them north
baby boomers and empty nesters intriguing to see what dollars are to our tropical paradise. We’ve got it
with high-quality, beautifully promised for our region. all here – we just need to get people
designed developments. down south to realise it too.

27 • tropicnow.com.au