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NEWS
Cairns Local News
Up to 7000 cheap fares a week into Cairns PETER MCCULLAGH THE Federal Government announced yesterday a raft of measures designed to bolster the Far North’s economy post-JobKeeper. The measures are specifically tailored to assist the north’s tourism and hospitality industries. The key points expected to be announced today include: ● From April 1 – July 31, nearly 800,000 half price flight tickets to 13 regions throughout Australia including Cairns. ● Business loans up to $5m over 10 years with a 24-month repayment holiday – eligible to businesses that have graduated off JobKeeper between January 4 and March 28. ● Financial assistance to aviation workers, (ground handlers) to cover costs related to mandatory training, certification and accreditation. ● International freight assistance, ensuring flights to export Australian goods to overseas markets. ● One-off grants to assist travel agents and tour arrangement service providers stay viable. The $1.2bn package is expected to be announced this morning however media overnight are reporting on details. Cairns will benefit greatly from this announcement. With the approach of the norths peak domestic season, the additional flight seats will lift local tourism and hospitality operators and provide greater security for workers. TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the news. “The Federal Government has been listening and today is
a step in the right direction.” “The destination (Tropical North Queensland) has more than 1250 different products and experiences all world-class and COVID safe. “We anticipate 5000 – 7000 extra visitors each week, to head out on to the reef, into the rainforest and up onto the Tablelands to spend those savings not only on food and drink but also on the experiences we are so well known for around the world,” he said. The Prime Minister Scott Morrison was reported over night as saying, “This is our ticket to recovery — halfprice airfares to get Australians travelling and supporting tourism operators, businesses, travel agents and airlines who continue to do it tough through COVID-19 while our international borders remain closed.” “That means more jobs and investment for the tourism and aviation sectors as Australia heads towards winning our fight against COVID-19 and the restrictions that have hurt so many businesses. “Our tourism businesses don’t want to rely on government support forever.” Advance Cairns CEO has welcomed the announcement regarding the assistance to contunue with aviation freight exports from Cairns. Currently we have four freight flights weekly to Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. The measured announce will allow this to continue with two to three freight flights a week.”
Friday March 12, 2021
Bid for pedal powered day tours TANYA MURPHY A HUGE opportunity for eco-friendly daytime pedicab tours and transport in Cairns is being missed due to council restrictions, according to a local business owner. Cairns Pedicabs owner Mark Taylor wants to run daytime pedicab tours taking tourists from the cruise liner terminal and local hotels to scenic sites like the botanical gardens, and romantic pedicab picnic dates on the Esplanade, but can’t due to the conditions on his permit. Mr Taylor, whose business currently has a permit to operate from 6pm to 6am in a limited area of the CBD, has repeatedly applied to council to operate during daylight hours and across a larger geographical area so he can expand his service. He’s also applied for the
pedicabs to be allowed on Esplanade foot and cycle paths, and to have dedicated pedicab ranks at key CBD locations. Since buying the business in 2017, he said he had already had to turn away more than $20,000 per year in bookings due to the restrictions on his operation. “Within the last 12 months we have had to turn away around 15 weddings and a number of bookings for formals and large companies, without even marketing the product,” he said. “Tourism Tropical North Queensland approached me about booking the bikes for 30 people to do a green tour of the city, but couldn’t due to the restrictions. “This clearly identifies that a range of corporate, tourism and local markets are interested in our eco-transport business and wish to use it.”
He said the closure of international borders had caused a 70 per cent downturn in business and the restrictions were making it difficult for his business to adapt to the changing market and survive. “Cairns should be leading the way as a green, clean city and taking every opportunity to showcase the city in new ways,” he said. “I have asked the council for a fair go; all Australians were told in the last election if they had a go they’d be given a fair go and I am calling it in.” He said he could employ 13 people if allowed to go ahead with his proposals. A council report found there had been complaints about the pedicabs being too noisy, not following the road rules and parking illegally, but the vast majority of these had been under previous
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ownership. Current owner Mark Taylor said since he purchased the business, he had worked hard with council and police to address the issues. “We now have a system in place that works to limit noise to a set level, and we have strict guidelines and zero tolerance for bad or unsafe behaviour. The team are always supervised and undergo a training session before being let operate solo,” he said. Pedicabs are already allowed to operate during the day in Brisbane, Byron Bay, Melbourne, Sydney and Port Douglas. At their February meeting, council renewed Mr Taylor’s permit but did not grant the changes he wished for to his conditions of operation.
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