Manufacturers in Cairns are reaping the rewards of Queensland Government initiatives, with more than $7.1 million awarded in grants to 20 local businesses, which have created or supported at least 1000 jobs.
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher released the numbers on day one of Australian Manufacturing Week, highlighting that the Cairns Manufacturing Hub has contributed significantly to the local economy.
“Cairns Manufacturing Hub staff have conducted more than 745 visits with local businesses in the region, helping guide and support their teams to adopt advanced manufacturing technology and practices, and connect with peers in the local area to foster growth and develop a collaborative regional network.
“Manufacturing already contributes $20 billion a year, to the state’s economy and we want to build on that even further,” Mr Butcher said.
Cairns MP Michael Healy said the booming industry is going from strength to strength, thanks to Queensland Government grants.
“The Manufacturing Hub and Made in Queensland Grants are enabling our fantastic local businesses to build capability and capacity, that they otherwise might not have been able to do.”
Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said the permanent funding announced to the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs has given locals confidence in the industry.
“The hub staff are experts and their expertise is there to help local manufacturers grow their business, create jobs, capture more customers and develop leading edge processes and efficiencies within their business.”
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt congratulated the Queensland Government on the successful program.
“Regional manufacturing hubs across Queensland are helping local manufacturers adopt advanced manufacturing technologies and techniques they are helping to create and support long-term manufacturing jobs which is a win for the far north Queensland community,” Mr Pitt said.
Cairns Manufacturing Hub Skills Development and Training Officer Sandra Scarcella said the past three years, since the Hub had launched, had been a busy time getting to understand what each local manufacturer needed and how best to meet those needs.
“We’re a service, with a clear focus on helping manufacturers modernise, guiding them using our own experience and expertise and connecting them with other leaders as well as possible funding help,” she said.
“These successes so far are just the beginning. Bringing so much manufacturing work to the region, helping the sector thrive, this is all part of building Queensland as the home of manufacturing in Australia.”
Demonstrating the Palaszczuk Government’s strong commitment to manufacturing, the Queensland Manufacturing Hubs received permanent funding, to the tune of $17 million, so they can continue to support regional manufacturers to grow their businesses and create local jobs.
“The Hubs are bringing together stakeholders to collaborate and grow regional manufacturing,” Mr Butcher said.
“Building local businesses, strengthening their capacity and capability helps local economies by delivering long-term, local jobs,” Mr Butcher said.
More than $54 million has been awarded through Queensland Manufacturing Hub and Made in Queensland Grants, creating or supporting more than 5,500 jobs.
“Our government is focused on delivering critical support to regional manufacturers, after the COVID-19 pandemic, to make sure they have the tools they need to grow and thrive,” Mr Butcher said.
“Australian companies are increasingly looking to local manufacturers to step up and fill gaps exposed in supply chains, so it’s fantastic to see these manufacturing businesses in regional Queensland build and grow, to meet demand.”
