A Minute With The Mayor Ry Collins

Next week Whitsunday Regional Council will host a key event at the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal for invited stakeholders to collectively explore the current economic landscape of our region and chart a course towards a prosperous future.
 
Council’s Economic Development Day will focus on “Growth and Opportunity in the Whitsunday Region: Unveiling Our Economic Future" and this event is an exceptional opportunity for invited tourism and commerce stakeholders to network and engage.
 
Guest speakers for the day will be headlined by industry recognised housing market analyst Michael Matusik, who has helped over 1,250 new residential projects come to fruition, many of which involved innovative and often affordable housing solutions.
 
Michael will deliver an in-depth housing/ demographic/property economic market report for the Whitsunday region providing invaluable insights into the current market trends and projections that will undoubtedly shape our economic strategies moving forward.
 
Throughout my career I have always prioritised supporting economic development and advocating for local businesses, fostering strong partnerships, and promoting innovation and this will continue to be a focus in my role as Mayor.
 
Economic development is the cornerstone of a thriving community. It is about more than just growth in numbers; it's about improving the quality of life for our residents, creating opportunities for businesses, and ensuring that our region remains a vibrant, attractive place to live, work, and visit.
 
Here in the Whitsundays, we are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, from our world-renowned beaches and the Great Barrier Reef to our fertile agricultural lands and diverse marine life. These assets provide a strong foundation for economic development, allowing us to attract tourists, investors, and new residents to our region.
 
However, leveraging these assets requires strategic planning, innovative thinking, and collaboration. This is where the role of the council becomes pivotal.
 
By fostering an environment conducive to business growth, supporting local enterprises, and investing in critical infrastructure, we lay the groundwork for sustainable economic development.
 
A key aspect of our strategy is to diversify our economy. While tourism will always be a vital part of our identity, we must also look to other sectors such as agriculture, marine services, and renewable energy. Diversification not only makes our economy more resilient but also creates a wider range of job opportunities for our community.
 
We must also focus on workforce development. Ensuring that our residents have the skills and training necessary to meet the demands of a changing job market is essential.
 
Community engagement and collaboration are at the heart of our economic development efforts. By working together with local businesses, community groups, and government agencies, we can identify opportunities, address challenges, and create a shared vision for the future.

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