The difficult business environment facing Port Douglas over the last few years is the greatest concern of the Chamber. We recognise that we need help to identify strategies which may assist us in these difficult times. The Chamber now has the opportunity to work jointly with the MBS to first research the issues and then recommend strategies which may be adopted to improve our business levels. This project will produce a five year strategic plan to revitalise business. The project will commence on 2 February when 35 final year MBA students will be in Port Douglas working with the Chamber of Commerce, Cairns Council and Port Douglas Daintree
Tourism to research the issues.

The students are mature age candidates for the University of Melbourne MBA undertaking a final year elective in integrative studies. With backgrounds in finance, marketing, engineering and general management, they will bring a collective wealth of experience to the project. They will be led by professional consultants who will bring their own considerable intellectual input and experience to the project.

The Chamber views this as the right time to develop a plan revitalizing Port Douglas as a tourist destination as well as look more broadly to opportunities which may be available to Port Douglas. We are fortunate to be working in conjunction with Australia’s leading business school to get this process started. The expectation is that the results of this study will yield tangible benefits to the Port Douglas community and business interests.

If you want to input  your ideas send your vision to secretary@portdouglaschamber.com.au

A welcome dinner will be held at Salsa on 2 February for the 35 students , the faculty staff and a limited number of business and community members. The cost for the dinner is $45 and bookings can be made online at  http://www.trybooking.com/BDCP

The Chamber has employed a cruise ship representative and, together with TPDD, has
embarked on a Cruise Ship Meet and Greet Program which has attracted eight
volunteers to date.  So, not only do they take away a positive memory of
their short visit but we have had confirmations from accommodation providers
that some of these visitors have returned within six months.

As some comments have been made by the passengers that our port is a bit ‘ho hum’
the organizers of the Program will be approaching music students to entertain
the visitors in 2012  And the passengers seem to respond to any children
in the welcome party … missing their grandchildren maybe?

We are expecting 26 ships in 2012 with the first arrival on the 18^th of January and  final arrival on the 12^th of December.  To check on the 2012 cruise ship schedule and any additions or cancellations, go to:  Cruise ship schedule and scroll down to Port
Douglas.

In 2012, the first weekend of the program will be a food and
wine festival, with existing events such as Palates of Port, Food Wine & A
Taste of Port, the Longest Lunch and the Seafood Extravaganza.  The street
parade and the Four Mile Beach day will take place on the Friday and Saturday
of the second weekend. Carnivale Manager Ken  Dobbs said the festival had
come of age, and it was feedback from event
managers and stakeholders that effected the program change.

The program is being restructured to cater for both the
local community and for visitors who want to fly in to attend the festival.
Visitors will travel from southern states for 5-7 days to attend events covered
in the food and wine festival part of the program and holiday in the region
while locals have the option of attending the whole spectrum of events in the
program, so it makes sense to create a distinction and promote these different
aspects.

The Street Parade is a real signature event and one of the best in Queensland. For 2012 we want to
take it to a higher level and have the best Street Parade in Queensland so
start planning now and be part of the fantastic event. The Parade theme will be
announced before the end of the year to allow entrants to start working on
their float.

Financial members only may vote and membership renewals and new members
will be accepted between 5.30 and 6pm.

For additional information email secretary@portdouglaschamber.com.au or
phone  40840285

Cairns Regional Council today put forward its case for changes to proposed legislation that would be likely to place an extra charge on the treatment of household waste.

Council officers were involved in a teleconference with the Environment, Agriculture, Resources and Energy Parliamentary Committee as part of a two-day hearing to discuss impacts of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Bill 2011.

Council’s Water and Waste General Manager Bruce Gardiner said the hearing gave Council the opportunity to put forward its arguments and to be asked questions about its waste reduction program.

“Our position is that we are already exceeding the State Government’s target to recover and recycle 65 per cent of municipal solid waste (MSW) by 2020,” Mr Gardiner said.

“We achieve this by sending all MSW to the Bedminster resource recovery facility, which aerobically composts the majority of the waste. Under the proposed legislation, the residual waste to come out of this process would be classified as commercial waste and would attract a levy of $35 a tonne.

“To impose the commercial levy on this residual waste component appears to contradict the intent of the levy, which is to develop innovative and accessible resource recovery technologies to meet the waste reduction targets.

“We agree with the objectives of the Bill – they are in line with our own.”

Council is seeking to have its unique situation recognised either through minor changes to the Bill or through a special circumstances exemption.

In correspondence received by Council this afternoon, Environment Minister Vicky Darling said her department would work with Council toward a suitable solution.

Mayor Val Schier said the current waste treatment process was the result of a commitment by Council to be a leader in best practice waste management.

“We are continually striving to be Australia’s greenest Council and our waste processing system is one of the initiatives that are helping us to achieve that goal,” Cr Schier said.
“We divert about 75 per cent of household rubbish away from landfill. That is an effort that should be commended.

“We are leading the way in waste reduction in Queensland and we are proud of the achievements we have reached.”

The committee hearing wrapped up today, with the committee to review all submissions and prepare recommendations to Parliament by September 23.

If the Bill is successful, it will be implemented on December 1.

The service is available now and registrations can be made by calling Council’s Customer Service Centre on 1800 070 444, or by visiting oursustainablewater.com.au, or in person at the Water Smart Info Centre at 26-30 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas.

Please see the information flyer here

The information that will be provided by the representatives of the participating organizations is essential for the business community to access available programs and financial assistance.

This includes assistance for businesses that have suffered financial loss as a result of the cyclone or turn down in business due to the difficult economic environment; businesses wanting assistance for financial applications or tourism businesses wanting advice to increase their business performance.

Links to each of the websites is attached to enable a better understanding of what they provide.

http://www.enterpriseconnect.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx

http://www.deedi.qld.gov.au/

http://www.advancecairns.com/bec/

It is important that the business community attends this workshop, not only to access the assistance and information, but to ensure that the government assistance continues.  If there is not a strong take up in government assistance they will stop providing these programs.  Our community needs to have a voice to the local, state and federal governments regarding local business challenges.

Take-up of these programs ensures the concerns and needs of business are communicated loud and clear.

BOOK HERE

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