Cairns Regional Council

Today we hosted a special delegation from Zhanjiang, China - part of a three-day visit to mark 20 years of a Sister Cities relationship with Cairns. The visiting delegation included representatives from the Zhanjiang Overseas Friendship Association, Foreign Affairs Bureau, and Investment Promotion Bureau. During today's Mayoral Ceremonial Welcome at Council, there was a traditional exchange of gifts and presentations highlighting the strong cultural exchanges shared by the two cities. During their time in Cairns, the delegation will tour Mulgrave Gallery and Botanical Gardens Visitor Centre, meet with representatives from Tourism Tropical North Queensland, Trade and Investment Queensland, and James Cook University, visit aquaculture sites and engage with exporters, and take part in activities organised by the Cairns and District Chinese Association.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗟𝗗𝗠𝗚 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 The ability of Council and emergency services to respond to a severe flooding event and evacuation procedures are being tested as part of an annual multi-agency disaster training exercise. Cairns Regional Council’s Disaster Coordination Centre has become a hub of activity as part of 'Exercise Deluge', which is designed to prepare relevant agencies for a natural disaster. Conducted over two days (Tuesday and Wednesday), Exercise Deluge is a disaster management exercise designed around the preparation, planning and immediate response of a severe flooding event affecting the Copperlode Dam and the wider Barron catchment. Find out more on our website: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYZcgTrs

Congratulations to our Strategic Planning, Growth & Sustainability team on earning Cairns Regional Council a Commendation Award in the Stakeholder Engagement Category for our 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 at the 2024 Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence. The 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 was delivered in partnership with Civic Shifts (formerly Studio THI) The program exemplifies the importance of embracing urban growth while engaging communities in understanding and influencing how our city evolves. Inspiring residents to participate in this process is a significant challenge for planners, especially when planning strategies can feel overly technical or aspirational regarding population and growth targets. The project breaks down complex growth issues into easily digestible segments, fostering a clearer understanding among community members. The judges commended the innovative approach that empowers residents to grasp the importance of urban development and encourages their active involvement in shaping the future of our city. To view the 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘯𝘴 education material visit: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gdhqHrQp 📸 Pictured: Jennifer Michelmore (left), Debbie Wellington (middle) Coordinator Strategic Planning, Growth & Sustainability accepting the award on behalf of Cairns Regional Council, a representative from the category sponsor Powerlink Queensland (right)

Cassowary Credits - a scheme designed to boost investment into vital biodiversity projects within the Wet Tropics. Initiated by Terrain NRM, the biodiversity credit scheme demonstrates an innovative approach in Cairns’ Smart Green Economy. Like Carbon Credits and Reef Credits, Cassowary Credits are earned for a measurable improvement – in this case for rainforest vegetation condition. You can view the full Cassowary Credits case study on the Cairns Smart Green Economy website. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHKy5FHf #SmartGreenEconomy #Cairns #biodiversity #rainforest #reforestation

Proudly supported by Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Fashion Week is a celebration of both local and national creativity. From 19-24 November, dive into the world of fashion at Cairns Fashion Week 2024! Now in its second year, this event highlights talented emerging and established designers from across the country. Don't miss the main runway shows at Screen Queensland Movie Studio on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Find out more: www.cairnsfashionweek.com

As part of our 2025 Apprentice Intake we are recruiting for the following apprentice roles: 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 👉 https://bit.ly/3O29c5v 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 & 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 👉 https://bit.ly/3YX12BK 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: ✔️ Learn hands-on from experienced electricians ✔️ Pathway to becoming a qualified electrician ✔️ 9-Day Fortnight ✔️ Fitness Passport ✔️ 5 weeks annual leave ✔️ Up to 3 weeks personal leave Applications close Sunday, 24 November 2024 at 11.30pm

𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 $𝟯𝟭 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 Events such as Crankworx, Ironman and Shine on Gimuy helped inject more than $31 million into the local economy in the previous financial year. A report tabled at today’s Council ordinary meeting outlined the economic benefits of 11 events delivered with the support of $1.47 million from Council’s Major Events Sponsorship program. Event supported in 2023/24 included: - 7 Cairns Marathon - Queensland Pool Rescue Championships - NRL Premiership match between South Sydney and St George - Reef to Reef - Cairns Amateurs - Cairns Tennis International - Port Douglas Gran Fondo - Shine on Gimuy - UCI Masters Mountain Bike World Championships - Crankworx Cairns - Ironman Cairns. The events delivered an estimated total economic impact of $31.2 million, achieved through attracting 22,721 visitors and over 108,000 visitor nights. Read the full article on our website: https://lnkd.in/gUuQuwqP

Congratulations to Peter and Angela Freeman of Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, recipients of the Chair’s Award for Excellence at the @Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards!   Sponsored by Cairns Regional Council, this award honours their legacy in wildlife tourism, from creating immersive nature experiences to advancing conservation. Since opening Hartley’s in 2002, they have transformed the site into Northern Australia’s largest wildlife attraction, surrounded by World Heritage rainforest.   Through the North Queensland Wildlife Trust, Peter and Angela have also raised over $200,000 for local conservation efforts. Thank you for your outstanding dedication to our region! Pictured (from left): Division 4 Councillor Trevor Tim, Angela Freeman, Peter Freeman, Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen

Last week, we celebrated the Indigenous Small Business Support & Networking Event in Cairns, marking 10 years of Indigenous Business Month with the theme ‘Making Our Mark.’ It was an inspiring day filled with valuable connections, insightful discussions with agency buyers, and opportunities to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses. Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue to uplift and empower our community! #IndigenousBusinessMonth #Cairns #MakingOurMark #NetworkingSuccess

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 Cairns Business Excellence Awards! More than 420 attendees, including 60 exceptional finalists across 10 categories, came together for a night of celebration. A special congratulations to AirBridge Networks, winner of the Innovation Excellence Award, proudly sponsored by Cairns Regional Council. Their groundbreaking product, ARNI, is transforming disaster recovery through unmatched connectivity, enhancing community resilience and readiness for future challenges. Cairns' business community continues to innovate, inspire, and lead the way. Well done to all! #CairnsBusiness #InnovationExcellence #CommunityResilience #businessexcellenceawards2024