The North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy has opened an office at Dunwich to aid the transition brought about by the forced closure of the Sibelco mine in 2019.
The office is located adjacent to the roundabout at 7 Stradbroke Place at Dunwich.
It is staffed by three dedicated officers available to discuss and answer questions about the ETS and the NSI Workers Assistance Scheme (WAS).
They are:
Project Manager Stuart Cameron – a Point Lookout resident with 35 years’ experience working for federal and state governments
Project Officer Kate Adams – a Dunwich resident and former sand mining worker who has worked on a wide range of community projects on NSI during the past six years.
The strategy and the office are being conducted by the Department of State Development (DSD).
An implementation committee guides the delivery of the Queensland Government’s $20 million strategy which includes 23 projects carefully considered to deliver a sustainable year-round economic future for North Stradbroke Island.
They involve initiatives that aim to achieve economic expansion by focusing on three key areas:
diversify and expand the island’s current tourism industry
expand education and training opportunities
expand and stimulate local business development and growth
They are designed to:
support economic expansion aligned with Quandamooka Native Title, cultural and environmental aspirations
foster small-scale economic development, private investor attraction and diversification of the island’s economy that is in keeping with the island’s community aspirations
create year-round economic stability and employment through supporting low season opportunities
assist business growth and expansion to allow for greater injection of visitor dollars into the local economy, e.g. develop and coordinate ways for visitors to spend more money on the island while assisting in the development of a broader and better experience for visitors.
Press releases from the department say the vision is for Straddie to become Australia’s most desirable island community, striking a balance between sustainable economic growth and protection of the island’s unique environment and cultural heritage.
It is believed 12 of the 23 NSI ETS projects have commenced as contracts have been signed allowing project leads to start work, signalling the beginning of the island’s economic transition.
The Queensland Government says it wants to expand industry on North Stradbroke Island by stimulating co-investment, increasing economic activity and creating sustainable employment for the island and its community.
These first initiatives range from a $2.4 million upgrade of Straddie Camping infrastructure that includes eco-shacks to be built at Bradburys and Adams Beach through to $150,000 for business development and training for existing North Stradbroke Island business operators over the next three years.
The Strategy includes $500,000 provided over four years to grow and promote the Quandamooka Festival.
QYAC is leading this project with Aunty Avril Quaill as Festival Curator.
Another investment will be via the North Stradbroke Island Visitor Research Program; a $90,000 project to be led by the Department of Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games (DTESB).
The project aims to provide tourism organisations, operators and others associated with island tourism with a clear understanding about visitor expectations and behaviour.
Future investment in tourism infrastructure and a comprehensive marketing strategy for North Stradbroke Island will also be informed by this initiative.
To find out more about the NSI ETS:
Visit: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au
Visit in person: NSI ETS Office, 7 Stradbroke Place, Dunwich, North Stradbroke Island
(Open: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 2 pm, or other times by appointment)
Phone: 07 3415 2349 or 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Email: nsieconomictransition@dsd.qld.gov.au