Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Almost every day I meet with residents who are upset and concerned about their futures. Often I can only listen empathically because there is nothing local government can do to alter their situation.One of the few things that is certain today is the rate of social change. This is concerning and challenging for us all, but we need to keep positive and look for the opportunities that change can present.

Some local challenges that recent changes have brought are:-

• The 2025 plan, whist delivering some desirable planning outcomes, will restrict what can be done with your land like never before. Please make submissions to raise your concerns and issues.
• The value of residential properties has increased remarkably, especially since Cyclone Larry, which saw many newcomers to our region, who noticed the relatively low prices of real estate and capitalized on them. Positive for those already owners but difficult for new home buyers.
• Rural properties values and returns have declined, with the only real benefits coming from the timber plantation companies underpinning and increasing the land values of some properties.
• The local sugar industry is under threat from reduced supply and has undergone major restructuring, following deregulation and major cost imposts, including fuel and fertilizer costs.
• The rural / urban divide has widened, with fewer and fewer of our young people choosing to stay on the land.
• The demands for good environmental outcomes have grown enormously, with for example increasing pressures to adopt best agricultural practices and restrictions on fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Gains for the environment but controversial given losses of personal freedoms.
• The capacity to meet the rising, complex demands on local government through rate increases is minimal. Rates are already high. The disparities between rates in the north and south of our region are considerable.Of the three levels of government, the federal government is awash with funds, whilst the state and in particular local governments struggle to meet the demands for services.
• The tourism industry is being challenged by a strong Australian dollar, which discourages overseas visitors and encourages us to holiday off shore.The mining industry is reaping record profits, despite the high Australian dollar, offering wages that can’t be matched locally, resulting in continuing losses to our region’s workforce.
• Inflation and unemployment, while still historically low, are experiencing upward pressures.

There are always positives that can come with the negatives, and we all need to look for these and use all the resources at our disposal, both personally and in our beautiful, bountiful region.

Change management is the new buzz word in business. Negatives need to be seen as challenges and opportunities. We can work smarter, look for alternatives and embrace change, not fight it.

Not easy, but is there any other way? Our region still offers a great deal more than many other places!