24august2016 by QAL Media Clippings

WED 24 AUGUST 2016

Mediaportal Report

Flashback feature: How the Gold Coast secured the final flight of Avro Lancaster bomber Gold Coast Bulletin by Andrew Potts

23 Aug 2016 9:33 AM

538 words • ASR AUD 3,388 • Internet • ID: 646319326 Read on source website

Audience 38,251 UNIQUE DAILY VISITORS, 4,486 AV. STORY AUDIENCE

New ceo for NQA Travel Daily

23 Aug 2016 10:21 AM

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According to a former Defence firefighter, the ADF needs to be more upfront about its ... WIN Townsville, Townsville, WIN News, Corinne May

23 Aug 2016 6:00 PM

Duration: 2 mins 28 secs • ASR AUD 539 • QLD • Australia • Issues Radio & TV • ID: X00067236585 According to a former Defence firefighter, the ADF needs to be more upfront about its use of potentially toxic firefighting foam. There are fears that local water courses may already be contaminated. Defence has done preliminary testing at the RAAF base in Townsville. They have not told the public what it has found so far. Pat Meldrin, former Air Force fire fighter, believes chemicals known as PFOS and PFOA will be there. He is not convinced the chemicals are toxic but is concerned. He wants the ADF to release recent test results. A senate inquiry has revealed the chemicals may have health impacts on thyroid and liver function. It is a federal government issue. It has taken years for the Defence Department to actively engage with the people of Oakey. Hopefully they will engage with the people of Townsville sooner. Audience 6,000 ALL, 2,000 MALE 16+, 3,000 FEMALE 16+ Interviewees Pat Meldrin, former Air Force fire fighter|vox pops

COPYRIGHT This report and its contents are for the internal research use of Mediaportal subscribers only and must not be provided to any third party by any means for any purpose without the express permission of Isentia and/or the relevant copyright owner. For more information contact copyright@isentia.com DISCLAIMER Isentia makes no representations and, to the extent permitted by law, excludes all warranties in relation to the information contained in the report and is not liable for any losses, costs or expenses, resulting from any use or misuse of the report.

A Qantas charter flight with hundreds of Olympic athletes and officials on board will arrive ... Channel 7, Brisbane, Seven News, Sharyn Ghidella and Bill McDonald

23 Aug 2016 6:14 PM

Duration: 2 mins 9 secs • ASR AUD 38,167 • QLD • Australia • Issues Radio & TV • ID: M00067234525 A Qantas charter flight with hundreds of Olympic athletes and officials on board will arrive home in Australia tomorrow, bringing their Rio Olympic Games experience to an end. But not everyone made it onboard. Two of our athletes are ill in hospital. Swimmers Bronte Barratt and Madison Wilson are both sick in hospital, but will fly out tomorrow. Cate Campbell may need a hernia operation when she gets home. Emma McKeon won four medals in the pool but a late night out almost cost her a spot at the finale. Many will soon start preparations for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games except Anna Meares, who will stay retired even thought the new velodrome will be named in her honour. Brisbane will host Australia's only "welcome home" parade Friday-week. It will start at the top of the Mall at midday, and travel through the heart of the city into King George Square. Audience 358,000 ALL, 144,000 MALE 16+, 193,000 FEMALE 16+ Interviewees Emma McKeon, swimmer|Kim Brennan, Rower Also broadcast from the following 9 stations Seven Bundaberg (Bundaberg), Seven Cairns (Cairns), Seven Central (Alice Springs), Seven Mackay (Mackay), Seven Mt Isa (Mt Isa), Seven Rockhampton (Rockhampton), Seven Sunshine Coast (Sunshine Coast), Seven Toowoomba (Toowoomba), Seven Townsville (Townsville)

Gold Coast City Council will not be supporting the Southeast Queensland bid for the ... 6PR, Perth, 19:00 News, Newsreader

23 Aug 2016 7:02 PM

Duration: 0 min 42 secs • ASR AUD 205 • WA • Australia • Issues Radio & TV • ID: X00067236743 Gold Coast City Council will not be supporting the Southeast Queensland bid for the 2028 Olympic Games. Councillors voted unanimously not to contribute any funds to the bid during the meeting this afternoon. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said that they cannot afford the Olympics and the focus should be on the 2018 Commonwealth Games. It came after Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk unveiled the idea for the 2028 bid in July with Brisbane city councillors already having voted to back preparing a feasibility study to host the games. Audience 15,000 ALL, 9,000 MALE 16+, 4,000 FEMALE 16+ Interviewees Tom Tate, Mayor, Gold Coast Also broadcast from the following 1 station 6iX (Perth)

Tourist growth 'perfect storm' Cairns Post, Cairns, General News, Jim Campbell

24 Aug 2016

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Get on board for Far North boom Cairns Post, Cairns, General News, Deb Hancock

24 Aug 2016

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YOURVIEWS Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD, General News

24 Aug 2016

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Positive outlook for city's future The Australian, Australia, Supplements, Alicia Nally

24 Aug 2016

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Drop in values boosts claims Toowoomba Chronicle, Toowoomba QLD, General News, Tara Miko

24 Aug 2016

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Path to jobs is expansive Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD, General News, Lea Emery

24 Aug 2016

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TOURISTS RATE CITY REAL DEAL Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News, Victoria Nugent

24 Aug 2016

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Added flights on the radar Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD, General News, Victoria Nugent

24 Aug 2016

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Industry poised for growth The Australian, Australia, Supplements, Alicia Nally

24 Aug 2016

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No Headline Gold Coast Sun - Central, Gold Coast QLD, General News

24 Aug 2016

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Booming tourism numbers pay off | Business newshub.co.nz by Tony Field

24 Aug 2016 5:14 AM

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Airservices Australia says investigations are continuing into the impacts of toxic ... ABC Tropical North, Mackay, 06:30 News, Rachel Riga

24 Aug 2016 6:30 AM

Duration: 0 min 42 secs • ASR AUD 86 • QLD • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: X00067238737 Airservices Australia says investigations are continuing into the impacts of toxic firefighting chemicals at 36 airports across the country. The government-owned corporation made a submission into the senate inquiry looking into the contamination of land and groundwater from toxic firefighting foam on the Darling Downs. It says foam containing chemicals PFOS and PFOA was used during training activities at the airports from the 1980s to 2003. It switched to another approved foam amidst health and environmental concerns but later found it also contains small amounts of the chemicals. Site and health risk assessments have continued at the contaminated airports which include Brisbane, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns. The agency's yet released details of the assessments. Audience N/A ALL, N/A MALE 16+, N/A FEMALE 16+

A man has been put under a $600 good behaviour bond after an altercation with a ... ABC Far North, Cairns, 06:30 News, Kristy Sexton-McGrath

24 Aug 2016 6:32 AM

Duration: 0 min 33 secs • ASR AUD 68 • QLD • Australia • Company Radio & TV • ID: X00067239243 A man has been put under a $600 good behaviour bond after an altercation with a Qantas crew member at Cairns International Airport. Audience N/A ALL, N/A MALE 16+, N/A FEMALE 16+

Money correspondent Tony Field discusses the increases in profits recorded by tourism-... 3, Wellington, Paul Henry, Paul Henry, Ingrid Hipkiss, Jim Kayes and Verity Johnson

24 Aug 2016 6:38 AM

Duration: 2 mins 28 secs • ASR AUD 11,926 • NZ • New Zealand • Company Radio & TV • ID: W00067237711 Money correspondent Tony Field discusses the increases in profits recorded by tourism-related companies, citing Tourism Holdings' recent result. He says Auckland Airport is expected to announce a profit of over $200m. Audience 97,600 ALL, 40,400 MALE 16+, 52,800 FEMALE 16+ Interviewees Tony Field, Money Correspondent Mentions Air New Zealand|American airlines|Emirates|Qantas Also broadcast from the following 13 stations RadioLIVE (Wellington), RadioLIVE (Christchurch), RadioLIVE (Auckland), RadioLIVE (Dunedin), RadioLIVE (Nelson), RadioLIVE (Rotorua), RadioLIVE (Hawkes Bay), RadioLIVE (Manawatu), RadioLIVE (Northland), RadioLIVE (Southland), RadioLIVE (Taranaki), RadioLIVE (Tauranga), RadioLIVE (Waikato)

Airservices Australia says it's monitoring 36 airports across Australia where toxic ... ABC Tropical North, Mackay, 07:30 News, Rachel Riga

24 Aug 2016 7:30 AM

Duration: 0 min 49 secs • ASR AUD 101 • QLD • Australia • Issues Radio & TV • ID: X00067240970 Airservices Australia says it's monitoring 36 airports across Australia where toxic firefighting foam was used until six years ago. The agency confirmed 36 airports including Brisbane, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns have sites with traces of a toxic firefighting foam, as part of its submission into a senate inquiry looking into land and groundwater contamination from the chemicals PFOS and PFOA. It revealed the foam was used from the 1980s to 2003. The chemicals were again found in another approved foam used for firefighter training until 2010. The corporation says it alerted the relevant government agencies in 2008 and has since been conducting soil surface, water, and ground checks at all affected airports. The agency's yet released details of the assessments. Audience N/A ALL, N/A MALE 16+, N/A FEMALE 16+

Craig Philips, CEO, Australian Commonwealth Games Association, says does not to see ... ABC Gold Coast, Gold Coast, 07:30 News, Newsreader

24 Aug 2016 7:32 AM

Duration: 0 min 42 secs • ASR AUD 249 • QLD • Australia • Issues Radio & TV • ID: X00067240066 Craig Philips, CEO, Australian Commonwealth Games Association, says does not to see athletes being affected by M1 traffic jam at 2018 Gold Coast Games. Peter Beattie, Chairman, 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, admits it is too late now to fix the road in time for the competition. Road updates were delayed due to a funding dispute between the Qld and Federal Government. Philips says athletes, forced to stay near Brisbane event venues, should enjoy the sense of camaraderie experienced by athletes staying near Gold Coast-based Athletes' Village. Audience 10,000 ALL, 3,000 MALE 16+, 6,000 FEMALE 16+ Interviewees Craig Philips, CEO, Australian Commonwealth Games Association

24 Aug 2016 Cairns Post, Cairns Author: Jim Campbell • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 16,636 • Page: 6 • Printed Size: 193.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 858 • Words: 285 • Item ID: 646496617

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Tourist growth ‘perfect storm’ JIM CAMPBELL

jim.campbell@news.com.au

CAIRNS is at risk of enjoying too much of a good thing with the city’s accommodation industry struggling to keep up with record numbers of tourists. The head of the region’s peak tourism body described the situation as a “quality challenge” and said, while there was no cause for alarm, the industry needed to be flexible to manage the boom. Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Alex de Waal has ordered an audit of the city’s accommodation availability – about 6000 rooms – to determine what was needed to cope with future growth. “It’s a perfect positive storm at the moment, but in any storm you need to sort out a few challenges,” Mr de Waal said. “The rate of growth we have had this year is significantly above the national average and

above what we had expected. “We’ve got a very busy season ahead of us and we will absolutely have periods around Christmas and Chinese New Year where we will be struggling to put everybody up. “That’s good, but if it happens regularly it can cause problems for us.” Mr de Waal said domestic visitors were up 33.5 per cent – or 5000 extra people – year on year, while international visitors were up 11 per cent. He said the addition of major accommodation projects including the Acacia Court Hotel redevelopment, the expansion of Rydges Tradewinds, and construction of Nova towers and Aquis would ensure the city could cope with further growth in the future. And with accommodation running at capacity, tourism marketing would be tweaked to focus on long-term growth and increasing the region’s standing as a “high aspiration” destination, rather than target-

ing school holiday or festive rushes. editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost

24 Aug 2016 Cairns Post, Cairns Author: Deb Hancock • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 16,636 • Page: 22 • Printed Size: 434.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,929 • Words: 377 • Item ID: 646500584

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A A TICKET TO THIS EVENT WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH ACCESS TO EXECUTIVES REPRESENTING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS’ WORTH OF PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS

Get on board for Far North boom DEB HANCOCK COC DO you want to tap into billions of dollars’ worth of projects and investments across the Far North? Do you want to meet the representatives of these projects and develop a relationship with them to grow your business? If so, get involved in the Cairns Chamber of Commerce’s 11th annual “major projects and investments familiarisation”. A ticket to this event will provide you with access to executives representing billions of dollars’ worth of projects and investments. This is an opportunity not to be missed if you are able to supply the following: General construction services. Retail shopping centre refit services. Aviation hangar construction. Mine infrastructure (including buildings and workshops). Mining telecommunications and information/technology systems to support remote operations and mining operations equipment. Restaurant furniture.

Unit fabrication. Civil construction, reticulation and earthmoving services. Electrical engineering and services. Water supply, dam construction and related infrastructure. Some of the projects that we are expecting to enjoy the company of proponents and

Cairns Chamber corporate marquee, presentations from investors/proponents who will share their supplier requirements, delegate business site visits and a cocktail function with VIPs. As part of the program, our invited project and investment representatives will attend a

investors include: Metro Mining ($2 billion Bauxite Hills project). Cairns Aquarium ($50 million CBD project). Mt Mulligan ($15m project). Rio Tinto ($2.6 billion Amrun project). Mt Emerald Wind Farm ($420m project). KUR-World ($650m integrated resort development). Nova Aspial ($550m CBD development). Queensland Department of State Development (multiple projects).

visit to your place of business where you will be able to showcase “what you do.” Only 12 businesses will be selected to participate. We invite you to submit an expression of interest to be part of this great opportunity.

Cairns Airport redevelopment ($1b project). DFO Cairns refurbishment ($10m project). The event program includes a helicopter flight to the Amateurs and entertainment in the

Please visit our website or contact our business development manager Simone Travers on 07 4041 1838, or simone.travers@cairnschamber.com.au. Deb Hancock is the chief executive of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.

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ON THE RISE: Construction of Cairns Aquarium in the CBD is well in progress.

Picture: BRENDAN RADKE

24 Aug 2016 Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD Section: General News • Article type : News Item • Classification : Regional Audience : 24,753 • Page: 16 • Printed Size: 165.00cm² • Market: QLD Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,041 • Words: 424 • Item ID: 646578030

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YOURVIEWS WRITE TO: P0 BOX 1, SOUTHPORT 4215 EMAIL: editorial@goldcoast.com.au FACEBOOK: facebook.com/goldcoastbulletin I am increasingly troubled that politicians and the media refer to Uber as a ridesharing service (Uber to pull rank, GCB, 22/8/16). Uber is not a ridesharing service; it is a fee for service pick-up and delivery service more akin to a hire car than a taxi, yet it does not suffer the regulations and fees that either taxis or hire cars do. When the Government permits Uber “to operate from September 5 without fear of a fine”, Uber owners and their cars should become subject to the same regulations and fees that hire car owners face – or hire cars should be permitted to operate and compete with Uber with the regulations, obligations and fees removed. Anything less is unfair and unreasonable. JIM MCDONALD, OXENFORD RE the targeting of schoolgirls pictures (School porn site closed, GCB, 20/8/16), the real problem is that girls are pressured into sending their ‘boyfriends’ intimate pictures of themselves because the boys say, ‘If you love me, you’ll send me some nude photos.’ All girls need to be educated

that they have the right to say ‘No’ to such requests, and if their ‘boyfriends’ kept demanding it, they should be reported for sexual harassment. If a young bloke loved a girl he would not demand any intimate photos. It is sexual and emotional abuse and those who were sent the photos and posted them online should be shamed and named. GRAEME BREWER, BIGGERA WATERS THERE was a time when I trusted those we elect but the current crop are feeding off the public teat and treating us like mugs. The latest example is what we are being fed when it comes to same-sex marriage. I make no apologies Malcolm for questioning the waffle you and your spin doctors are feeding us. We now have the AEC telling us that this unnecessary plebiscite won’t be possible until 2017. For a government that would have us believe we have to tighten our belts we have recently had a totally unnecessary double dissolution election and we are now talking of another $160 million hoping that will be enough to plah l h

cate the religious right. right D.J. FRASER, CURRUMBIN ANNABELLE Chaplain has a long list of business credentials and is respected in a variety of scenarios (Think tank, GCB, 22/8/16). Her ideas for the Gold Coast, made interesting reading. But please, Annabelle, leave daylight saving out of your to-do list. That’s a totally different issue affecting all of Queensland! KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH

24 Aug 2016 The Australian, Australia Author: Alicia Nally • Section: Supplements • Article type : News Item Classification : National • Audience : 101,980 • Page: 6 • Printed Size: 1240.00cm² Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 25,059 • Words: 696 Item ID: 646663173 Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

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MARKET OVERVIEW

Positive outlook for city’s future Cairns has been labelled a “boom city” and is currently showing all the signs of a real estate industry on its way up. However, it still relies chiefly on its key tourism market to keep things moving, writes Alicia Nally

CAIRNS is showing all the signs of a property industry on its way up, but there’s a few potential hurdles on the way to the top. Most industry experts seem to agree that the outlook for the future is positive and places Cairns streets ahead of other regional Queensland economies. A tight rental vacancy rate of 1.9 per cent, combined with record low interest rates and a strong tourism market is starting to filter into the Far North by way of increased investment and rising house prices. BIS Shrapnel chief economist Frank Gelber labelled Cairns a “boom city” and said the next five years would bring “enormous” cyclic and structural economic shifts in Australia that would benefit tourism-dependent cities. A decline in the resources sector and a lower Australian dollar spelled bad news for mining towns and a more positive outlook for tourism cities, he said. “I tend to think in terms of the ‘Cairns boom’ and ‘Gladstone bust’ with other Australian towns somewhere in between, depending on their industrial structure, their exposure to growth in trade-exposed industries and the extent of the fall in mining investment,” Mr Gelber said. “Cairns is essentially a tourist town, with half of its residential stock traditionally available for holiday lettings. “During the period of the high dollar tourism dried up. I don’t think it’s unfair to

say Cairns has been in recession for much of the past decade, squeezed for income and allowing its capital stock to run down. “(But) that will change.” The latest Cairns Watch report by Herron Todd White’s Rick Carr pointed to unemployment as a roadblock to rapid growth in the Cairns region. “The Cairns economy continues to experience extremely positive tourism activity indicators but negativity in the labour market,” Mr Carr said. “Unemployment appears to be increasing and the level of youth unemployment is especially high.” In the report, Mr Carr wrote that while local property demand had cooled somewhat in recent months, Cairns was still in the rising market stage of the property cycle, but experiencing a temporary pause. Property Council Queensland deputy executive director Jen Williams said a drop in confidence could also have a big impact on Cairns. The latest ANZ/Property Council industry survey showed a drop in Queensland’s confidence from 129 to 121 index points over the last quarter. Ms Williams said property was one of Cairns’ largest industries, making up 11.7 per cent of the region’s economic output and employing one in nine local residents. She said the results were a direct reflec-

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tion of the State Government’s introduction of a new transaction surcharge on foreign investors. “It is clear that the State Government’s new tax on foreign investment is impacting industry confidence,” Ms Williams said. “For the Cairns local government area, where the property industry creates 7347 jobs and contributes $927 million to the local economy, any drop in confidence is unwelcome news. “With the Government’s new foreign tax coming into effect on October 1, the next six months will be a critical time for the local industry. “Foreign investors play a crucial role in the local property industry, funding jobcreating local projects and producing new housing stock for local families.” Cairns-based Quaid Real Estate manager Tom Quaid said the federal election, held in July, was largely to blame for a start to 2016 that did not quite measure up to a strong 2015. “We are continuing to see positive indicators for Cairns with record low interest rates, a lack of supply, tight rental vacancies and the return of investors to the region,” he said. “Anecdotally (in late July there was) a surge in inquiry across a wide range of properties as buyers regain their confidence with government confirmed.”

ASK THE EXPERTS

We are continuing to see positive indicators for Cairns with record low interest rates, a lack of supply, tight rental vacancies and the return of investors to the region TOM QUAID, QUAID REAL ESTATE

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24 Aug 2016 Toowoomba Chronicle, Toowoomba QLD Author: Tara Miko • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 15,365 • Page: 5 • Printed Size: 236.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,447 • Words: 362 • Item ID: 646509774

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Drop in values boosts claims Tara Miko

tara.miko@thechronicle.com.au

OAKEY land values have dropped amid an ongoing groundwater contamination crisis, some by up to $20,000. Kristy Banks’ property on Williams Rd dropped from $109,000 to $89,000 after a review of land valuations by the State Government, and is one of 28 properties to be reduced. She said the significant drop in the unimproved value substantiated claims from impacted residents they needed to be compensated by the Federal Government because of the contamination from fire-fighting foams used at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre. “Our properties have gone down in value now, and that is the proof,” she said. “All we want is the army to step up and take responsibility.”

Ms Banks said bores on her land were clear of PFOA and PFOS contaminants used at the base for decades but her property was inside the contaminated red zone area. Shine Lawyers principal Peter Shannon, who is leading a pending class action lawsuit on behalf of residents against the Department of Defence, said those with reduced land values needed to challenge the reasons behind the notices. “Each landholder should be asking why,” he said. “The mere fact that your land has gone down in value … it is very good evidence that there are impacts (from contamination).” Mr Shannon said the Australian Property Institute had developed specific guidelines relating to Williamtown in NSW which faces similar

contamination concerns. He said the guidelines related to PFOS and PFOA chemical contaminants. Mr Shannon confirmed Shine Lawyers had delivered to Defence about 10 sample compensation cases from impacted residents which outlined possible future claims but no official offer had been made to any resident. He said the class action suit was progressing. In a statement to the ABC, Valuer-General Neil Bray said Oakey property owners who lodged an objection to their 2016 valuation and requested a review were advised of the outcome last week. “This review included consideration of other land valuations in the Oakey area and led to reductions in valuations for a total of 28 properties,” he said. “The reductions were

made taking into account the specific grounds raised in the individual objections as well as consideration of comparative land valuations.”

24 Aug 2016 Gold Coast Bulletin, Gold Coast QLD Author: Lea Emery • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 24,753 • Page: 8 • Printed Size: 345.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 2,178 • Words: 397 • Item ID: 646582766

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Path to jobs is expansive goldcoastbulletin.com.au

Jobs in 50 days LEA EMERY LEA.EMERY@NEWS.COM.AU

A LACK of experience and being “under qualified” is not a concern for a number of Gold Coast employers who are putting up their hands to take on young job hunters. Youth unemployment on the Gold Coast sits at 12 per cent – more than double the national average of a little over 5 per cent – making it difficult for first-time job seekers to make an impact. The Bulletin helped launch a campaign to see 5000 jobs offered for first-time job seekers and that target was smashed in just four days. The jobs on offer are not all in more traditional roles. Defence Force Recruiting is trying to attract young people to the army, navy and air force and its offering is a little different. Defence Force Recruiting senior military recruitment officer Flight Lieutenant Peter Fishpool said becoming a reservist could offer job hunters an edge in recruitment. While not a fulltime job, joining the reserves gave valuable training not avail-

able anywhere else. “With reservists, the good thing is that you don’t have to move away,” he said. “You get a wealth of experience from your training.” There are reservists centres in Southport and Tweed Heads. Fulltime positions are also available with the defence force but applicants would need to move from the Coast. For more traditional roles, some of the Coast’s biggest employers said they were active in searching for first-time job seekers. Gold Coast Airport CEO Chris Mills said the airport

worked with universities and TAFE to match students with intern programs. They have six interns at present, including with commercial operations and planning and projects departments. Star Entertainment Group managing director Geoff Hogg said Jupiters casino recognised the value of keen young job seekers. “Taking an indirect or non-traditional route to your future career can be a great way to go,” he said. “It’s a fantastic way to gain experience and see if a company is a good fit for you.” Dreamworld general manager for people and culture Megan Reid said no difference was made between experienced job seekers and those looking for the first step.

“The positive of new graduates or first-time job seekers is their enthusiasm,” she said. Do you have a job for a first-time job seeker? Email 5000jobs@news. com.au and join our campaign.

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Flight Lieutenant Peter Fishpool says the defence force offers valuable experience. Picture: GLENN HAMPSON

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24 Aug 2016 Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD Author: Victoria Nugent • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 18,061 • Page: 11 • Printed Size: 471.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 2,858 • Words: 375 • Item ID: 646594664

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HAPPY DAYS: Visitors from Japan Yosuke Tsugami and Tomoko Yoda. Picture: ALIX SWEENEY

TOURISTS RATE CITY REAL DEAL

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VICTORIA NUGENT victoria.nugent@news.com.au

TOWNSVILLE is proving a drawcard for Asian visitors who want a taste of the real North Queensland instead of the tourist mecca of Cairns. Townsville Enterprise tourism and events manager Bridget Woods said the number of Asian visitors to the city, particularly from Korea and Japan, was gradually starting to increase. Japanese travellers Yosuke Tsugami, 26, and Tomoko Yoda, 24, are among them. Both decided to stay in Townsville longer than originally planned after picking up work at the Civic Guest House hostel in the CBD. Mr Tsugami said he had now been in Townsville for more than a month and plans to stay until January. “I’ve been to Cairns as well but I prefer Townsville, it’s not as touristy,” he said. YOSUKE TSUGAMI

Ms Yoda, who has been in Townsville two months, said the city offered a chance to experience life as a local. “It’s good for learning English, there’s not as many Japanese people around,” she said. Ms Woods said Townsville’s authenticity was a big attraction for travellers. “We really create experiences where they don’t feel like just another tourist in the town,” she said. She said the city wanted to find even more ways to tap into the market, with representatives attending the Premier’s Connecting with

Asia Forum in Cairns tomorrow to discuss ideas to promote Asian visitation. Civic Guest House owner Zenobia Strijdom said there had been a slight increase in Asian visitors and she would welcome more. “It’s never been consistent,” she said. “We do have more Asians coming to my place, on the other hand we have had an influx of French too.” Reef Lodge Backpackers Hostel owner Dean NixonHarding said while Germany and the UK were the traditional backpacker markets for Townsville, he had been seeing an increase in Chinese and Korean travellers. “It’s certainly not something that’s suddenly happened and I’m not saying there’s a big amount,” Mr Nixon-Harding said. “I think there is big potential for Townsville to get on board with more Asian visitors. North and south of Townsville there are already a lot of Asian visitors.’’

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to Cairns as well but I prefer Townsville, it’s not as touristy

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24 Aug 2016 Townsville Bulletin, Townsville QLD Author: Victoria Nugent • Section: General News • Article type : News Item Classification : Regional • Audience : 18,061 • Page: 3 • Printed Size: 252.00cm² Market: QLD • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 1,529 • Words: 361 • Item ID: 646597069

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Added flights on the radar VICTORIA NUGENT victoria.nugent@news.com.au

TOOWOOMBA has emerged as a possible new flight destination for Townsville, but direct routes to the Gold Coast remain the bigger priority for airport officials. Talks are under way between the Townsville Airport and regional airline Airnorth about the possibility of direct flights between Townsville and Toowoomba’s privately owned Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Airnorth chief executive officer Daniel Bowen said it reviewed options for additional services on an ongoing basis and their Embraer E170 planes had a four-hour range. “Airnorth have received a

great response to our direct services between Melbourne and Cairns from Toowoomba and we continually receive feedback from our passengers and the community which has included requests for additional direct services including Canberra, Adelaide, Townsville, Mackay and Mount Isa,” he said. Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said research would be conducted into demand for a Toowoomba service, but attracting direct flights to the Gold Coast was the priority. “Townsville Airport is please with the performance of the Airnorth service to Darwin and continues to explore opportunities to develop the network,” he said. “Very preliminary discussions have been had regarding potential services to Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.’’

Townsville Enterprise tourism and events manager Bridget Woods said the airline and the airport would have to conduct research into how much demand there was for direct flights between Townsville and Toowoomba. “For us, any route that increases access into our region is a plus,” she said. “Should the route be sustainable, we would support it.” Meanwhile, Qantas’ withdrawal of their Cairns to Port Moresby service is not expected to affect the possibility of direct flights between Townsville and Papua New Guinea. The airline will change its Cairns to Port Moresby services to Brisbane to Port Moresby services from October 30. Mr Gill said Townsville Airport believed the two cities had a lot in common in the resource industry and through strong health and education

opportunities. “Obviously our economy is very different to Cairns’ and we have a very strong business sector here that is currently operating in Port Moresby,” Ms Woods said.

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For us, any route that increases access into our region is a plus. BRIDGET WOODS

24 Aug 2016 The Australian, Australia Author: Alicia Nally • Section: Supplements • Article type : News Item Classification : National • Audience : 101,980 • Page: 28 • Printed Size: 566.00cm² Market: National • Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 11,438 • Words: 445 Item ID: 646659022 Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

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BUILDING

Industry poised for growth Statistics show an increase in dwellings approvals over the past 12 months and the Cairns building and construction industry is ready for another big year, writes Alicia Nally THE Queensland building and construction industry is ready for another year of growth and the Far North is poised to take full advantage of economic conditions. Statistics from Master Builders Queensland showed an increase of 10.5 per cent in dwellings approvals numbers over the past 12 months. Ninety-nine houses and 36 multi-unit dwellings were approved in May, an increase on the 97 houses and three multi-unit dwellings the month before. Total new home approvals increased 28.1 per cent between March and May. Dixon Homes Cairns and Townsville managing director Andrew Thomas said the time had never been better to build in Far North Queensland. He listed low interest rates, flat demand providing bargaining power, an increase in the first homeowners’ grant to $20,000 for new properties and higher depreciation benefits for investors as positives. “Building costs in Cairns are better than most other North Queensland areas including Townsville and Mackay, though they are higher than in Brisbane due to freight and regional requirements for ceiling heights and cyclone proofing,” Mr Thomas said. “A modern home can add value to your life by giving you pride of ownership and better suitability to your lifestyle. “It can also save you thousands of dollars annually in maintenance costs because most of the products come with a five-year war-

ranty, reduced electricity costs with energy efficient lighting, hot water systems and electricity generating photovoltaic systems.” Belle’s Kaine Rowe agreed to the benefits of building but said they all depended on personal circumstances. “When building your own home you can make choices that suit your own personal needs and tastes, there are also financial benefits with no stamp duty payable on your build cost,” Mr Rowe said. “For investors who choose to build, there are large depreciation benefits on new property.” But Mr Rowe said stress and time were potential downsides. “There can be a lot of stress involved through the building process and some unknown cost which can occur,” he said. “So when buying an existing property what you see is what you get. All this stress has been removed there is no waiting for the property to be built or costs involved while the property is being built.” The Masters Builders Building Industry Outlook 2016 report listed projects like the Cairns Aquarium, Aspial Corporation’s Central Park development, the Etheridge Integrated Agricultural project, the upgrade of Cairns airport, expansion of the Port of Cairns and the ongoing Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment as vital to driving construction demand in the region.

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24 Aug 2016 Gold Coast Sun - Central, Gold Coast QLD Section: General News • Article type : News Item • Classification : Regional Audience : 170,949 • Page: 11 • Printed Size: 53.00cm² • Market: QLD Country: Australia • ASR: AUD 217 • Words: 64 • Item ID: 646372467

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EVEN though there are still unresolved legal issues regarding the installation of the ILS at the Gold Coast Airport, CASA has arrogantly moved the current flight paths 1km closer to shore from August 18. This has been done without any community consultation or advice. This will now put residents up to around Palm Beach directly under the flight path. IAN TIMMINS Mermaid Beach

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