Special Projects & Initiatives

from Capricorn Enterprise 2020/21 Annual Report

Industry Development & Capacity Building

In 2020/21 Capricorn Enterprise project managed the creation of 2 significant web platforms targeting relocation and livability. The region has also embraced the Year of Indigenous Tourism by providing Cultural Awareness training.

WORK IN CENTRAL QUEENSLAND PORTAL

In September 2020, Capricorn Enterprise launched the ‘Work in Central Queensland’ platform. The industry platform, which was identified as a requirement by the Central Queensland Major Project Workforce Alliance (CQMPWA) (a strong collaboration with Construction Skills Queensland and our major project proponents), is positioned to be a valuable commodity for local employment markets, spanning from the mining sector to agriculture, infrastructure, defence, tourism and hospitality, together with big business and research in major towns. Developed in partnership with Australian-based developer, uWorkin, the online and mobile solution will benefit a myriad of people from job seekers, employment-focused community groups, training organisations, councils, employers of all sizes together with many other groups. ‘Work in Central Queensland’ will deliver smart matching of interested talent, strong communities, and localization of jobs, skills, talent, and capital.

LIVE CAPRICORN COAST WEBSITE

Making the move to the Capricorn Coast destination to work, live and play has now been made even easier with the launch of Capricorn Enterprise's new one-stop digital platform reflecting the extensive and diverse lifestyle offerings available from the coast to the city. Live Capricorn Coast – livecapricorncoast.com.au, was months in the making and integrates our workincentralqueensland.com.au platform. The site showcases the unique factors which make the Capricorn Coast (incorporating the Rockhampton region) a destination of choice. For more information visit www.livecapricorncoast.com.au [SEE IMAGE 2]

YEAR OF INDIGENOUS TOURISM

Supported by a $10 million commitment from the Queensland Government to create tourism jobs for Indigenous Queenslanders and to position the state as the nation’s leader in Indigenous tourism, the Premier announced that the Year of Indigenous Tourism would continue into 2021. Funding was provided to the Regional Tourism Organisations via Tourism and Events Queensland to support this initiative.

> Cultural Awareness Training

Capricorn Enterprise partnered with Darumbal Enterprises Ltd to provide Cultural Awareness Training to local non-indigenous tourism businesses. The aim of this project was to develop cultural awareness and relationship building between non-indigenous tourism businesses and local custodians, empowering the future growth of indigenous tourism experiences within the Capricorn region. Topics included history of the Darumbal Country, past and current Darumbal cultural practices, Darumbal life before European contact, language and storytelling, healing practices, Native Title and cultural heritage, and much more. [SEE IMAGE 1,3,4, & 5]

> Woorabinda Art Gallery opening

The official opening of ‘stage one’ of the Woorabinda Arts + Cultural Centre in Duaringa, halfway between Rockhampton and Emerald. This incredible project is thanks to a partnership between BMA and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and has been supported by the Central Queensland Regional Arts Services Network and CQUniversity. During 20/21, the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council Works Manager liaised with local contractors to complete ‘stage one’ of the WACC building refurbishments which has transformed the old Duaringa CWA Hall to its new exciting life. Future stages of the Woorabinda Arts & Cultural Centre will include a café onsite and Gallery Shop. [SEE IMAGE 6]

$800,000 FUNDING FOR CAPRICORN DINOSAUR PARK – COOBERRIE PARK WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

To help stimulate the tourism industry in 2020, the State government announced a $25 million Growing Tourism Infrastructure Fund for Queensland. Capricorn Enterprise encouraged and assisted Cooberrie Park to submit an expression of interest (EOI) for their “Capricorn Dinosaur Park” project, which was one of only 52 invited to proceed to a full business case, out of 272 EOI’s submitted. Prue Saxby from Indigo Gold was engaged to assist and thanks to additional advocacy by Capricorn Enterprise, the project received nearly $800,000 funding in September 2020 and is expected to be completed by September 2021.