2016–17 Activity Statement—Economy

Queenslanders want a strong performing and diverse economy with the best jobs on offer. We want to focus on industry development and diversification, with centres of excellence that drive innovation.

Success will come from building on our strengths and turning our ideas into commercial enterprises. Queenslanders recognise that our proximity to Asia provides key opportunities for growth. Our skilled workforce and reputation as a reliable and competitive supplier of resources demonstrate our state is a dynamic place to invest.

Creating jobs and a diverse economy is one of the Queensland Government’s objectives for the community. In 2016–17, the Queensland Government:

Creating jobs and a diverse economy

• accelerated the Queensland Government’s Advance Queensland program, backing 1,650 innovators across the state whose projects will drive 4,821 jobs
• appointed influential business leader Mark Sowerby as Australia’s first Chief Entrepreneur, an office created under the Advance Queensland initiative
• supported the southern hemisphere’s inaugural Myriad festival through a partnership between Advance Queensland and Myriad Live, attracting 3,300 entrepreneurs, investors, business owners, tech-lovers, and innovators and 131 visitors from overseas; with 45 startup exhibitors and 12 regional hubs representing 123 startups
• backed 119 startups and small to medium Queensland businesses through the Advance Queensland Ignite Ideas Fund, supporting rapid commercialisation of market-ready Queensland innovations
• delivered 35 workshops across the state through the Advance Queensland initiative’s Innovate Queensland program with Impact Innovation Pty Ltd, connecting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the right people and practical know-how to translate innovative ideas into commercial outcomes and incomes
• attracted 25 international and interstate entrepreneurial companies to Queensland through the Advance Queensland Hot DesQ program, to inject new talent, increase connectivity and skills and improve access to global startup communities and international programs
• established The Precinct in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, to bring together Queensland startups, incubators, investors and mentors under one roof—established under the Advance Queensland initiative, The Precinct has digital links to innovation centres and accelerators across Queensland and around the world
• launched the Advance Queensland Testing within Government (TWiG) program, allowing SMEs to improve the positioning of their products by working collaboratively with Queensland Government on business problems—16 SMEs received funding to test and refine their products while addressing real business problems
• supported collaboration between 40 small businesses and seven universities through the Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program
• co-funded Queensland’s participation in the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration program through the Advance Queensland initiative, supporting Queensland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
• provided funding under the Advance Queensland Industry Accelerators Program to six industry-focused business accelerators to provide intensive mentoring for up to 30 early stage businesses and startups, enabling faster development of new products and services
• supported 6 Queensland businesses through the Advance Queensland Biofutures Commercialisation program, to work with leading international or national bio-industrial organisations to scale up and test new or improved bio-industrial technologies and processes
• awarded 15 Queensland research organisations with Advance Queensland Innovation Partnership grants to collaborate on projects with industry that will increase the speed and scale of translation of our science and research to boost productivity growth, improve the competitiveness of existing industries and accelerate the development of emerging industries and technologies
• developed and commenced implementation of the Whole-of-Government Advancing Trade and Investment: Queensland Trade and Investment Strategy 2017–2022, providing
• comprehensive case management service
• industry-led trade missions
• accreditation service supporting trusted exporters and an international advisory circle providing market support for Queensland businesses looking to export
• expansion of Trade and Investment Queensland’s (TIQ) international and regional footprint
• development of targeted trade and investment Regional Action Plans across Queensland
• expanded TIQ’s international footprint by opening new offices in China (Chengdu) and Singapore to maximise trade and investment opportunities
• established a partnership between Advance Queensland and Startup Catalyst to send Queensland youths, startups, investors, corporates and innovation leaders on international missions to startup-rich environments such as Silicon Valley, Germany and London, to help understand differences in business cultures, and build networks and connections for trade
• awarded Queensland and Chinese Academy of Sciences funding under the Advance Queensland initiative to three recipients to work on identified priorities in the agricultural biotechnology and food research, human health and energy spaces
• established a partnership arrangement with Trade and Investment Queensland to facilitate market opportunities for Queensland-based businesses to capitalise on the opportunities provided in the new Dubai South development in the United Arab Emirates
• hosted the 2016 Queensland International Business Series, an annual program of events and activities for the Queensland Trade and Investment Commissioners across Queensland
• launched the International Education and Training Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016–2026, including a $1.2 million per annum International Education and Training Partnership Fund to work with industry to grow Queensland as a study destination and partner
• enabled commencement of Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC)’s demolition and site establishment works for the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Integrated Resort Development
• continued to implement the Jobs Now, Jobs for the Future Employment Strategy, including the Working Queensland Jobs Plan
• developed the North Stradbroke Island Workers Assistance Scheme to support workers affected by the cessation of sand mining on North Stradbroke Island
• supported workers affected by the closure of Queensland Nickel by providing case management support and coordination of support and advice across the three levels of government (local, state and national)
• led investigations, including scoping studies, for economic development opportunities in the Southern Gulf region, including enabling infrastructure to expand phosphate mining and live cattle export industries
• managed the necessary approvals and prerequisites to ensure timely commencement of the new SCT rail terminal at the Bromelton State Development Area in Beaudesert
• approved Environmental Impact Statements for the Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure, Coopers Gap Wind Farm and Nathan Dam and Pipelines projects, with potential to support around 1,050 jobs
• facilitated 19 major projects with a combined capital expenditure of almost $34 billion, 15,900 construction jobs and 13,500 operational jobs
• continued implementing the $19.73 million Advance Queensland Biofutures 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan by:
• launching the Biofutures Acceleration Program to attract and support new or expanding biorefinery projects.  In 2016–17, two projects were announced under the program, together supporting up to 120 jobs
• launching the $5 million Biofutures Industry Development Fund (BIDF), which provides funding to support the finalisation of due diligence for commercial-ready biofutures projects.  In 2016–17, two applications were received under the BIDF for projects located in North Queensland, together with potential to support 950 construction jobs and 453 operational jobs
• hosting the Queensland Government-US Navy Biofutures Industry Forum, which brought together 160 domestic and international proponents to accelerate the development of the state's biofutures industry
• launching the Biofutures Commercialisation Program to attract bio-industrial expertise to partner with Queensland researches and businesses to scale-up and test new or improved bio-industrial technologies and processes. In 2016–17, five projects were announced under the program
• launched the $7.8 million Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, under the Advance Queensland initiative, to assist manufacturers to transition and capitalise on Industry 4.0—key initiatives, including a Design in Manufacturing seminar series, BrisMakerFest, Queensland Hackerspace Grants and Business Model Innovation workshops
• launched the $4 million Advance Queensland Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan with a vision that by 2027 Queensland will be a globally competitive Asia-Pacific biomedical hub—key initiatives include a $2 million Biomedical Assistance Fund, 'Lean Launchpad' incubator and a biomedical voucher scheme
• launched the $20 million Made in Queensland grants program to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in manufacturing to become more internationally competitive by adopting innovative manufacturing processes and technologies
• continued to work with defence prime contractors and Department of Defence to attract new major defence projects such as LAND400 (Armoured Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle), JP2060 (Deployable Health Capability) and ongoing sustainment opportunities to Queensland
• supported Queensland defence and aerospace industries to showcase capabilities at national land and air shows including at Landforces 2016 and Avalon 2017
• delivered, in partnership with the Industry Capability Network (Queensland), 10 capability development workshops attended by 211 participants from SMEs across Queensland – plus seven ‘pitching’ workshops, attracting 50 industry participants
• continued to work with the Department of Defence to increase Queensland businesses’ access to information on supply chain opportunities from Australian Defence Force Integrated Investment Plan and the forthcoming Singapore $2.25 billion Australia-Singapore Military Initiative
• continued implementing key initiatives through METS Ignited, a Federal Government Industry Growth Centre based at the Queensland University of Technology—including a technology accelerator workshop program and enhancing METS (mining equipment, technology, and services) industry clustering in Mackay
• launched the $40 million Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund, encouraging industry to relocate, establish or expand their operations in Queensland to help generate jobs, increase investment and drive economic growth—three projects were announced:
• Oji Fibre Solutions is building a corrugated box manufacturing facility at Yatala supporting up to 55 operational jobs
• Softbank has chosen to set up its Australian headquarters and robotics studio in the government’s new innovation hub, The Precinct in the TC Beirne Building
• Southern Oil, a renewable fuels company is currently constructing an $18 million advanced biofuels pilot plant in Gladstone
• funded a $1.7 million maintenance dredging campaign for the Port of Karumba, ensuring ongoing viability of live cattle exports
• committed $39 million over four years for new measures supporting a strong and prosperous future for the North West Minerals Province region
• provided support to regional economies impacted by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie to help return key supply chains to full operation and allow local businesses recover from the impacts
• provided funding of $6 million to support country racing, which stimulates economic activity and social engagement and provides pathways into the racing industry across regional Queensland
• released land for gas production within the CSG-rich Surat Basin with a condition to ensure the gas will be supplied to the Australian market, contributing to gas supply security
• continued to deliver the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20, helping Queensland small businesses start, grow and employ, supporting jobs as Queensland transitions into the knowledge economy
• appointed Queensland’s first Small Business Champion to provide a voice for small business at a state and national level
• launched ongoing implementation of the ‘Go Local: Keep small businesses strong’ campaign, promoting the benefits of buying locally and supporting small business across Queensland
• transitioned to a new ICT contracting framework that makes it easier for industry—especially SMEs and startups—to do business with government
• promoted increased business confidence and capability by linking small business to Advance Queensland programs, and assisting small businesses to be games ready for GC2018
• launched Trade 2018 in London, coinciding with the start of GC2018 Queen’s Baton Relay from Buckingham Palace—leveraging the Games to promote Queensland trade and investment opportunities
• launched the GC2018 Reconciliation Action Plan, a historic first for an event of its kind including initiatives to develop the capacity of, and partnerships with, Indigenous businesses and support employment, training and procurement outcomes
• secured eleven pre-Games training camps ahead ofGC2018, with sporting teams from across the Commonwealth staying in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Toowoomba
• developed the Tourism Legacy Action Plan, identifying key legacy outcomes for the Tourism industry in areas such as Indigenous Tourism, Accessible Tourism and Industry Capability
• developed and released the Advancing Tourism Strategy and its supplements, the Connecting with Asia Strategy, Queensland-Asia Tourism Strategy, Advancing Tourism in North Queensland, Queensland Ecotourism Plan, Ecotourism Development Toolkit, and the Inclusive Tourism Guide
• secured four new or expanded airline services to Queensland under the Attracting Aviation Investment Fund from key source markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and flights from Melbourne to Townsville
• secured the first flights under the Connecting with Asia Fund with China Southern Airlines to operate a new direct service from Guangzhou to Cairns
• developed a Queensland Tourism and Transport Strategy, highlighting the importance of transport infrastructure in supporting tourism growth in the state—projects include refreshing the Queensland Camping Options Toolkit, reviewing Queensland cycle tourism opportunities, and exploring opportunities to enhance safety information for overseas drivers
• launched the Young Tourism Leaders Program, energising the tourism industry by supporting students and post-school leavers to explore a career in the tourism industry
• established the Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Interagency Working Group, maximising tourism opportunities for the Great Barrier Reef by rejuvenating Great Barrier Reef island resorts
• held the annual DestinationQ tourism forum in Mackay in October 2016
• declared and prepared development schemes for The Mill at Moreton Bay and the Herston Quarter Priority Development Areas (PDAs) which will result in two transformative health and knowledge PDAs in South East Queensland
• secured funding under the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program for improvements to a number of key freight routes, including the Capricorn Highway (Rockhampton–Duaringa), Kennedy Developmental Road (The Lynd–Hughenden), and Flinders Highway (Charters Towers–Richmond and Townsville–Torres Creek)
• secured funding in collaboration with stakeholders and peak bodies to improve cattle supply chains under the $100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Program, such as the Rockhampton Road Network – Road Access Stages 1 and 2, Clermont–Alpha Road Packages 1, 2 and 3, and Burke Developmental Road Package 1 and 2
• completed the construction of a purpose-built Rollingstock maintenance Centre at Wulkuraka, west of Ipswich, under the New Generation Rollingstock project, generating up to 500 full-time jobs—including 150 ongoing full-time jobs at Wulkuraka for 30 years—to service 75 new six-car passenger trains
• opened the $988 million Redcliffe Peninsula railway line, a 12.6 km dual-track passenger rail line between Petrie and Kippa-Ring with six new rail stations at Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Mango Hill, Mango Hill East, Rothwell and Kippa-Ring
• continued to deliver Community Service Obligation arrangements supporting regional Queensland communities through approximately 3,300 regional freight services annually under the Regional Freight Transport Services Contract
• offered regional cattle producers up to 325 rail services annually under the Livestock Transport Services Contract
• opened more than 14,000 self-employment opportunities through Personalised Transport Reforms
• implemented the Queensland biofuels mandate from 1 January 2017, providing certainty to the biofuels industry, and supporting investment and jobs across our regions
• funded 37 screen productions, administered by Screen Queensland, generating approximately 2340 jobs and an estimated $214 million in Queensland Production Expenditure—significantly boosting domestic and international production in Queensland
• incentivised private sector support by matching eligible cash sponsorship and philanthropy dollar for dollar through the Arts Leverage Fund , investing $1.027 million in 18 arts companies and together raising in excess of $1.9 million cash in private sector support
• released, as part of the Advance Queensland initiative, the discussion paper on the agriculture and food research, development and extension (RD&E) 10-year roadmap to better inform agricultural RD&E priorities to achieve industry growth
• continued to support the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network, AgForce-managed Schools to Industry Partnership Program, and Gateway Schools program, promoting agribusiness training and careers
• released the Queensland Aquaculture Policy Statement, providing a framework for future development and growth of a sustainable, diverse and innovative aquaculture industry in Queensland
• pursued Queensland’s interests under the Federal Government's White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, by
• working with industry to develop eight proposals for the first funding round of the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, for collaborative research into challenges for agricultural and broader development in the north
• engaged with development proponents in the Gilbert River and Laura to enable trial sites to support the development of sustainable agriculture systems for a variety of crops
• commenced development of a framework to assess plant biosecurity risks and evaluate plant pest and disease pathways in northern Australia
• engaged with Indigenous proponents in northern Cape York, and other parties, on establishing successful native forest timber harvesting and processing businesses in the region, to generate positive regional employment and training opportunities
• partnered with industry to secure employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander jobseekers, facilitating a total of 1,074 jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders—exceeding the target of 500 jobs
• implemented Moving Ahead, the new whole-of-government strategy to improve economic participation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders, and ensure they can participate fully in Queensland’s economy
• supported 351 civil and construction jobs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and over $960,000 in procurement from 19 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses from 67 construction and civil projects undertaken outside of discrete Indigenous communities
• negotiated employment and business supply outcomes for Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people in building and civil construction projects outside of discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• developed 92 Indigenous Employment Opportunity Plans for projects across discrete and remote Indigenous communities promoting employment and economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses
• increased the value of procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned business to a value of around $271 million through 385 suppliers
• hosted the Queensland Industry Summit—building the new low carbon economy, bringing together industry and innovation leaders to identify ways industry and the Queensland government can work together to transition Queensland to a low—and ultimately zero—carbon economy
• established the $8.4 million CarbonPlus fund to support and expand the carbon farming industry, particularly by Indigenous communities, and support jobs.

Delivering quality frontline services

• expanded the Mentoring for Growth program under the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20, conducting 297 panels and chats and bringing small business operators into contact with more than 300 active and experienced business mentors
• delivered three grant programs under the Advancing Small Business Queensland Strategy 2016–20 including the Small Business Digital Grants Program, Small Business Entrepreneur Grants Program, and Accelerate Small Business Program, building capability for 604 successful Queensland small businesses from a pool of 2,749 applicants
• established Advancing Women in Business, to support, connect and empower women by encouraging more women to start and grow their business
• developed Advancing Indigenous Business, delivering targeted support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to increase access to mentoring and grant services and connect Indigenous small businesses to more opportunities
• hosted Queensland Small Business Week—a total of 125 registered events and activities giving business owners and operators opportunities to network, gain valuable knowledge and learn new skills—more than 6,000 people registered for the 2017 Queensland Small Business Week
• delivered an expanded and more interactive service through the Business Queensland website, catering for 4.7 million users, providing 1,580 services and facilitating 160,516 online transactions through the platform
• commenced delivery of business advisory services, including a grants program, counselling support and mentoring services to the taxi and limousine industries to help owners and operators adapt to, and make the most of, new industry opportunities
• deployed staff to affected Queensland regions following Tropical Cyclone Debbie to survey the impact on small businesses and connect local businesses to Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements support
• supported development of the $12.3 million Tourism and Small Business Recovery Package, including an allocation of $4.05 million to support small businesses impacted by Tropical Cyclone Debbie
• delivered the Be Games Ready program, assisting small businesses to identify and prepare opportunities leading up to, during and after GC2018
• launched the Be My Guest program for tourism operators—workshops will be held in GC2018 event cities of Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, supported by online content development
• implemented new whole-of-government governance procurement arrangements, including establishing the Queensland Government Procurement Committee to oversee strategic whole-of-government procurement activities, and the Procurement Industry Advisory Group to provide regular engagement and facilitated access to industry advice about how government can be a better customer
• continued the Arts Business Innovation Fund to strengthen the financial capacity of small to medium arts businesses through a grant and zero interest loan facility, supporting Metro Arts, Anywhere Theatre Festival and Vulcana Women’s Circus to implement business development initiatives for new markets and revenue streams
• invested in opportunities for Queensland Indigenous artists to showcase work at Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum, the Melbourne Fashion Festival and the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
• continued the one-stop service, specifically designed for proponents of small to medium sized agricultural developments, to facilitate private sector initiatives in developing appropriate water and land resources in North Queensland on a sustainable basis
• delivered the Digital Scorecard online assessment tool to help businesses improve their digital capability and become more competitive in the global economy
• expanded the State Library of Queensland’s Business Studio to further support business, social enterprise and creative industries.

Building safe, caring and connected communities

• led recovery efforts in response to a number of severe weather events including Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, ensuring state-owned assets and infrastructure were back up and running as soon as possible
• strengthened the Queensland Government's approach to open data, boosting the availability and increasing the quality of high-value data sets.

Read more about the Plan’s goals, targets and measures for economy.