Project Background

The region has been experiencing rapid growth that is expected to continue.  The result of this growth is that infrastructure upgrade plans must be brought forward from original timeframes and additional investment sourced for new infrastructure.

The region has a lower profile than desirable with government, being located between Rockhampton (Central Queensland) and Townsville (North Queensland) and coming under the jurisdiction of one or the other for many state government departments.

Regional investment attraction efforts are currently uncoordinated and inefficient.  For effective investment attraction, potential investors require contact with a single regional ambassador that respects confidentiality, is aware of trends in the region, can provide relevant information, has contacts with local authorities and business and can provide a range of options with respect to locations within the region.

Regional Benefit

The project will result in a dedicated, professional investment attraction process and service that will encourage efficiencies through specialisation of regional resources.  This is expected to lead to more favourable outcomes from investment decisions as well as increased investment interest.

The Regional Investment Fund will lead to increased investment into infrastructure projects identified as regional priorities.

The process of agreeing a regional brand and sharing investment information will build strategic, collaborative relationships amongst regional leaders.

Strategies

The Regional Investment Attraction project aims to develop and launch a suite of initiatives that will facilitate government and private sector investment into the region.  The initiatives include:

Regional positioning

Our region, currently referred to as the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, remains largely undefined as an area in between, often alternating from being part of North Qld and Central Qld for different purposes resulting in no clear identity and inconsistency.

Residents, businesses and government authorities as well as a community at large are discussing the issue of regional identity and positioning statement in the wake of a large scale of Council amalgamations, executed by the QLD State government back in March 2008.

There is a recognised need for a distinct and relevant brand for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region to unite regional industry and government and ensure that the region is recognised as a distinct region by government and statisticians.

Regional Investment Fund

Investigations are being conducted into the feasibility of a regional investment fund, based on the legislative environment and potential regional investment by superannuation funds.

Regional Investment Manager

By engaging a Regional Investment Attraction Manager, REDC aims to provide a coordinated, professional investment attraction service and improve regional intelligence on development interest and issues.  The Regional Investment Attraction Manager will actively seek new investment in the region and provide a personalized service to interested investors.

Regional Marketing Material

The development of a suite of marketing material will assist with the targeting of regional investment opportunities.  It is anticipated that the marketing suite will include an online portal for the facilitation of regional investment.]

For more information on the Regional Investment Attraction project, please contact Martin Homisan, Regional Investment Attraction Manager.