A varied range of speakers offered valuable information on a variety of subjects during the forum which was held at The World Theatre.

Charters Towers mayor Frank Beveridge opened the proceedings by commenting on how the city was founded on foreign investment and that it’s not something we should look at in a negative light in business dealings today.

“North Queensland is a hive of activity at present and their are many projects currently being developed in the region for domestic and international groups to invest in,” Mr Beveridge said.

“With the $AUD easing, investment is becoming a far more attractive option and in north Queensland we are in the right place at the right time to get these local projects out there for interested parties to see,” he said.

Business principal at Affari Consulting, Wayde Chiesa said the diversified economy of the region gives it a competitive advantage for possible business ventures.

“We already have strong sugar and beef industries set up in the region and there are many opportunities for investment within these areas including the beef processing proposal facility being touted for Charters Towers; irrigated cropping and horticulture at the Burdekin and paddock to plate farming at Hinchinbrook,” Mr Chiesa said.

Regional director for the north Queensland Department of State Development Paul Holden gave guests in attendance an idea of what the department is looking for when potential projects are presented.

“If you want your project to become a reality you need to be confident about what you’re looking to do and have a solid prospectus in place,” Mr Holden said.

“You need to have an excellent understanding of what the project will offer and the timeframe it can be delivered in,” he said.

“You also need to be prepared for the tender process, have a capability statement ready and be honest and truthful about your ability to deliver.”

General manager of Economic Development at Townsville Enterprise, Tracey Lines said the recently released Northern Australia White Paper marks the first time ever that the region has received a firm and major economic commitment.

“The $1.2 billion allocated for the region in the paper is nowhere near what is needed but it’s a step in the right direction,” Ms Lines said.

”Townsville Enterprise is working with stakeholders to prioritise our infrastructure and present a consensus across the five local government areas and the 382 businesses encompassing the largest urban centre in northern Australia,” she said.

“We’re developing business cases for the region’s highest priorities, and actively working with the private sector to identify and attract potential partners to deliver individual projects.”

Customer relations officer at Port of Townsville, Maria James said the port is the most functional and diverse facility in Australia.

“The excellent road and rail connectivity from the port to all areas of northern Australia gives us access to 30 key commodities including minerals, beef and sugar,” Ms James said.

She said a major advantage of the port’s location is that is by far the fastest route to China taking 10 days.

Crowe Horwath CEO Derek Campbell and Business Advisory senior manager Nik Rozis detailed ways to create opportunities for business through tender readiness.

Mr Campbell said successfully building prosperity isn’t about doing what has always been done.

“We need to branch out, be agile, and invest in needs of the consumer going forward,” he said.

“If we don’t create the thing that kills us someone else will.

“If you do the same thing you’ve always done, these days you’ll go backwards or your business may even fail.”

Chief Executive Officer of Renewable Development Australia Tony D’Alessandro detailed the Pentland Bio-Energy Project which is now shovel ready (read the full story here).

CEO at Mitez Glen Graham and Brendan Goulding from Bentleys Chartered Accountants discussed the Mitez Investment Attraction Tool Kit which will be launched on December 1.

The project was undertaken by MITEZ to develop a strategic marketing plan to attract investment to the region.

The aim of the project was to identify the most effective steps for identifying and attracting major investors.

“It also provides guidance to assist on issues that may need further preparation,” Mr Graham said.

Director of planning and sustainable development at the Charters Towers Regional Council (CTRC) Ramon Jayo. Ramon discussed projects around the region that are currentlybeing developed including the proposed Charters Towers beef processing facility.

”The advantages of having a local meatworks would be twofold; it would cut freight costs for graziers and also heavily reduce shrinkage,” Mr Jayo said.

“At present 30 per cent of north Queensland cattle move south for slaughter and their are also significant transfers intrastate chiefly to the Northern Territory,” he said.

“We estimate that the proposed local facility would slaughter 500 head of cattle per day (125,000 head per annum) and create 179 jobs,” he said.

“At present we’re finalising the business plan. A problem at present is the domestic price volatility which is why we need to educate our graziers on the benefits of forward pricing.”

Cr Beveridge and CTRC CEO Mark Crawley thanked the guest speakers and all who attended for contributing to the success of the day.

“ I hope everyone has been encouraged by what you’ve heard today, we have big things ahead of us.”