Cairns Lifestyle

It is the simple things the locals take for granted which best characterise the Cairns lifestyle; the brief commute to work, palm tree fringed beaches, secluded natural swimming holes, metropolitan shopping and restaurants and world class recreational facilities.

Cairns residents have the capacity to strike an enviable balance between work and family and it is the opportunity for this quality of life which continues to attract people to the region.

Education

As the population hub of the region, Cairns boasts high quality education facilities. The education institutions reflect the regions’ self-sufficiency and delivers services aimed at producing staff with skills relevant to the region’s needs. High quality, world-class education is vital to the region’s competitiveness nationally and globally. With established primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, plus vocational education providers, Cairns has extensive state education facilities, including 89 state primary schools and 27 state high schools. There are also 18 private schools in the region.

International students seek out Cairns as their preferred study location, recognising the high quality university, colleges and supporting infrastructure.

Further details on schools and the educations systems can be accessed at the following:

Housing

The Cairns residential market has moved in parallel with national property prices and national trends of low rental vacancies. From an interstate perspective, Cairns property still offers exceptional value for money. In light of house prices growing by 17% in the 12 months to June 2007, local residents have felt the dramatic price increase.

The steadily increasing population of Cairns and the region’s strong economy have pushed the residential market to a median of $359,000. New suburban developments are opening through the southern corridor to meet the needs of families moving to the region. Large construction projects are underway in the Cairns CBD with work beginning on new apartment complexes and office blocks. The last decade has seen extensive redevelopment of the Esplanade and waterfront precinct and projects currently underway will broaden the inner city residential options.

Queensland Property Market Indicators as of October 2007

Houses

Units

Office Premises

Sourced: Herron Todd White

Further Cairns Information

Climate

Tropical North Queensland has two distinct seasons – Wet and Dry. The Dry Season, which runs from about May to October, has mostly clear skies and a temperature of approximately 27 degrees during the day, cooling to 15 to 19 degrees at night. Rainfall is lower during this time of the year.

The Wet Season, which usually starts in November, has temperatures of up to 36 degrees during the day, sometimes cooling to 24 to 26 degrees at night, a very high humidity of up to 90 per cent and heavy rainfall. During the Wet Season tropical depressions and cyclones may bring high winds and very heavy rain.

Employment

A shortage of skilled labour is a national problem in this time of economic prosperity and presents even greater challenges for regional communities. The mining and resources boom throughout Queensland has increased competition for the available labour pool. The affordable standard of living and renowned lifestyle of TNQ are just two reasons why people are choosing to live and work in the region however local employers and organizations remain proactive in attracting skilled labour.

Employment Agencies


Small Business Support Organisations

Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry (DTRDI)

web: www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au
DTRDI supply advice on planning, name registration, licences, building and improvement of businesses relevant to Queensland.

Far North Queensland Area Consultative Committee (FNQACC)

web: www.fnqacc.com
FNQACC acts as a link between government and the community, offering advise and regular workshops on topics relevant to small business owners.

Ideas 2 Market

web: www.ausicom.com
Innovation and Commercialisation Assistance for Queensland Small Business.

Austrade:

web: www.austrade.gov.au
Austrade provides export and investment services to Australian companies and international buyers and investors in 94 locations worldwide. See Austrade’s EMDG program.

business.gov.au

web: www.business.gov.au
business.gov.au is a whole-of-government service offering essential information on planning, starting and running a business. It also provides Australian businesses with access to government transactions and services.

GrantsLINK

web: www.grantslink.gov.au
GrantsLINK makes it easier to find suitable and relevant grants for your community projects from the many Commonwealth grants that are available. GrantsLINK also helps you find the best source of funding and assists you to complete application forms.

Free Trade Agreement

web: www.fta.gov.au
www.fta.gov.au is a comprehensive, online guide to Australia’s Free Trade Agreement. fta.gov.au can help you identify new opportunities arising through improved market access; understand tariff, quote and rule changes; learning about upcoming trade fairs and missions relevant to your industry; and provide links to a full range of Government services available to your business.

Global Opportunities Programme

web: www.industry.gov.au
The Australian Government is providing $254.1 million over ten years from 200708 for the Global Opportunities Programme. The Global Opportunities Programme assists Australian Industry to bid for work in global supply chains and on major international projects. The Programme will support Australian industry’s pursuit of global opportunities, including through: providing market intelligence on potential global opportunities; facilitating outward and inward trade missions; facilitating business matching; and, developing Australian industry capability directories. Funding will be available to groups of companies and industry associations to assist them in pursuing global opportunities.

web design by city of cairns.com