First Industry Breakfast of 2023 showcases leading technology underway for the Burdekin
Over 60 Burdekin business and community representatives attended the Burdekin Shire Council’s first Burdekin Industry Breakfast for 2023 on Wednesday morning.
The event aims to be a platform for keeping locals updated on major projects in the region that will contribute to the local economy and lifestyle, whether it is through employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, or expanding on or introducing new industries to the Shire.
Burdekin Shire Council Deputy Mayor Sue Perry said it was great to see so many attendees from the Burdekin and surrounding region attend the industry breakfast.
“Presentations on the day included Burdekin Rum Distillery & Mt Elliot Springs, RegenAqua - Macro-Algal Bioremediation Facility, Townsville Enterprise and Regional Development Australia,” Cr Perry said.
Rainspark CEO, Tim Lamb provided an overview on the family-owned Burdekin Rum Distillery and Mt Elliot Springs, who are on a mission to capture the endless flavours and fragrances that surround the Burdekin. Inspired by the beauty and botanicals of Tropical North Queensland, the Distillery has partnered with local sugar cane growers and mills for the core ingredients in their ‘cane spirits’. As the Burdekin is known as the sugar cane capital of Australia, Council is excited to have a product available that celebrates the unique and rich history of the sugar cane industry in the region.
Attendees at the breakfast also heard from RegenAqua, who are working with Council to construct a Macro-Algal Bioremediation Facility at the Burdekin Wastewater Treatment Plant. RegenAqua provided an overview of the cutting-edge technology which will revolutionise wastewater treatment.
Cr Perry said: “We are confident that this technology will provide us with an environmentally friendly solution to remove nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen from our wastewater. The Burdekin is very excited to be at the forefront of the first-of-its-kind technology.”
Townsville Enterprise Director of Visitor Economy and Marketing, Lisa Woolfe also took the attendees on a journey through the new tourism destination brand Townsville North Queensland: Up for Unexpected.
Ms Wolfe highlighted how the unique elements of the brand demonstrated how our region is an exciting destination for travellers, by conveying a message of surprise, adventure and discovery. This new brand is set to encompass what the region means for its visitors.
For many employers in the region, recruiting is a significant challenge. Heather Hausfeld from Regional Development Australia presented on the recently completed jobs portal and attraction website.
Jobs North Queensland provides a platform to assist businesses with recruiting by allowing posting of jobs and career opportunities for free as well as enabling job seekers to find positions. Ms Hausfeld shared how the regional attraction liveability website, Live North Queensland, supports the Jobs North Queensland platform to provide job seekers with additional information on the region.
Cr Perry said: “Recruiting is an important issue for a variety of industries and businesses. The importance of having these additional tools available to help both business and job seekers is a great resource for the region.”