Mayor’s View – 4th November, 2009
Situated as it is between the major regional centres of Cairns and Townsville the Cassowary Coast Region is ideally placed to benefit from these two cities forging ahead in the North.
Tourism is already a vital part of our region’s economy and will be increasingly so.
In this process of development we must be very careful to preserve what we have and ensure we don’t lose our uniqueness and the reasons why people want to come here in the first place.
We don’t want to create just another Australian coastal destination. We are different and need to value this difference – with, very importantly, abundant rainfall, great natural beauty, unique wildlife and special architecture.
The recent 2009 Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards in Cairns highlighted our diversity and the many attractions of the region.
There were five tourism awards won by businesses in the Cassowary Coast Region.
Murdering Point Winery, famous for its tropical fruit wines, received a Hall of Fame award for consistent and long service to the tourism industry. Congratulations to the Berryman family.
Paronella Park, the No 1 ‘Queensland Must Do’ winner received the Heritage and Culture award. Paronella Park is an outstanding tourist attraction that continues to expand its appeal. Mark and Judy Evans are excellent ambassadors for our region.
Spirit of the Rainforest Tours won the indigenous tourism award. Running out of the Echo Adventure and Cultural Centre south of Tully, at the site of the former King Ranch, this tour is a part of the wide ranging activities organised there. Congratulations to all concerned, especially to well known and respected indigenous elder Ernie Grant and his family.
The Mission Beach Visitor Information Centre (MBVIC) won its category competing against the numerous visitor information centres across the Far North Queensland region. No one at the awards were more proud than Angi Matveyeff, the Visitor Information Centre Manager and Karen McNally, Marketing Manager for Mission Beach Business and Tourism. Well done to you both and to all the MBVIC volunteers.
A Judge’s commendation award was won by the Elandra Resort at South Mission Beach. Congratulations to the Manager David Brook and owners Adam Karras and Katrina Knowles.
A second place in the new tourism development category was won by the MaMu Rainforest Canopy Walkway. This tourist addition in our region gives new and spectacular views and, in my view, could easily have won this section. In fact Geoff Bowes from Ergon Energy, the sponsor of this award, said to me that he wished he could have presented both the winner, Herberton Historic Village and MaMu Canopy Walk an award.
These Queensland Tourism awards are real achievements for our region are an outstanding result.
The Cassowary Coast’s tourist numbers improved on last year, in contrast with flat or declining figures for northern regions more heavily dependent on overseas tourist numbers.
With our three main industries – bananas, tourism and cane all looking good for the immediate future we have every reason to be optimistic.