Council looks to lure resource businesses to Rockhampton at expo
Published on 25 July 2016
It's a smile almost as wide as the mighty Fitzroy River.
And no wonder as the young woman holds up a 1m-plus Barramundi, plucked from the river in the heart of Rockhampton’s CBD.
The image is one of a number of creative lures Mayor Margaret Strelow and the hard-working team of RRC Councillors will use to sell the Rockhampton Region over the next three days (Tuesday to Thursday) at the Queensland Mining and Engineering Expo in Mackay.
Council is hoping there will be plenty of bites as a who’s who of resource industry representatives gather for the expo, where more than 170 exhibitors will be on show.
Rockhampton Regional Councillor and Resource Industry spokesperson Councillor Neil Fisher said a central part of the Council team’s pitch was to sell the recreation and lifestyle benefits available to employees for businesses that set up in the region.
Cr Fisher said this included great fishing, cultural and shopping opportunities in a region that had everything a resource-sector business would need.
“This is all about positioning Rockhampton as one of the key hubs for the Bowen Basin, the Galilee Basin and resource sector in general,” Cr Fisher said.
As well as looking to entice resource-related businesses to set up shop in the Rockhampton Region, Cr Fisher said the aim was to let them know their staff could enjoy the region’s offerings on their day’s off.
This is the second major resource expo councillors have attended in the past two months.
Since June’s Surat Basin Expo, Council has initiated a number of promising conversations with businesses considering a re-location.
Joining Cr Fisher in Mackay are Councillors Ellen Smith, Rose Swadling and Drew Wickerson as well as Council's Economic Development Strategic Manager Rick Palmer.
Mayor Margaret Strelow will be at the expo on Wednesday.
Cr Fisher said the Rockhampton Region would have a strong presence.
He is keen to see the region capitalise on resource-related opportunities and has repeatedly warned it can’t just sit back and expect great things to happen.
He said everyone had a role to play in promoting what the Rockhampton region had to offer.
Council has laid the foundations for resource sector growth with the development of the growing Gracemere Industrial Area.