Last year I initiated business lunches in each of the ten divisions to listen to small business people and find out ways in which Council might help them. An average of 9 businesses came to each lunch and that gave me a good sense of what the issues are. People were overwhelmingly in support of our lobbying for an early roll out of the NBN, and they are supportive of the sporting and cultural infrastructure that we have built which is bringing tourists with different interests to the region and making Cairns a great place to raise a family. They also think we should do more to attract 'grey nomads'. I was pleased that small businesses support Council's waiving of headworks charges, a move which stimulated the construction industry.

The previous Council had no direct involvement in economic development but my Council has initiated a small, dynamic Economic Development and Innovation Unit that has developed an investment strategy; another first for this Council. It has also played a key role in highlighting our potential for expansion of the naval base and relocation of defence forces, and in attracting mining and resources companies to locate their offices here.