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Some Current Studies »


North Queensland Resources Conference - August 2010

Bill Cummings will present a keynote paper to the North Queensland Resources Conference to provide an overview of current trends and prospects in mining across Northern Australia, Papua New Guniea and Papua Indonesia.

Registration form 1mb(pdf)

Mining Services Study Update

Cummings Economics are about to commence updating their 2008 ground breaking study into mining development across Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea & Eastern Indonesia to help identify scope for increasing services to this sector from the Cairns Far North Queensland region.

Measuring the Value of Seaports in the Cairns Far North Queensland Regional Economy

This will build on recent studies on the marine industries in Far North Queensland to identify especially the economic impact of the region's seaports.

A Central Transcontinential Route Across Australia

Cummings Economics are currently updating studies into the benefits and costs of sealing a third trans-continental route across Australia The Outback Way from Western Queensland to Laverton and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia via Alice Springs directly linking Australia's two great mining regions in Queensland and Western Australia.

The Value of Sport in Regional Economies

Cummings Economics have been engaged in helping Cairns Hockey Association obtain funding to upgrade its Astroturf and grandstand facilities in Cairns to help attract State, National and Asia Pacific events to the city.

Cummings Economics are providing support for Queensland Rugby League 2009 finalists, the Cairns based “Northern Pride” team, in working through the value of economic activity the team generates.






Handshakes »


The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is one of the leading business organisations in Cairns, established for over 100 years and a representative of the local business community.

Advance Cairns is the peak coordination agency for economic development in TNQ. Our vision is to develop a vibrant and sustainable regional economy that promotes and facilitates diverse employment, growth, social and lifestyle opportunities.

You may recognise Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) as a world famous tourism destination in Australia, but here at Think TNQ you will also learn what it has to offer in terms of opportunities for business, investment and lifestyle.

www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au is the official website of Nature's Theme Park. The only place on earth where the world heritage listed Daintree rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef!

The Mareeba Chamber of Commerce is committed to business and community interests in Mareeba and surrounding districts. We provide a wide range of services to business including scheduling and co-ordination of a number of opportunities and events.

The Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited has the enjoyable task of operating the Ports of Cairns, Cape Flattery, Cooktown, Burketown, Karumba, Mourilyan, Quintell Beach, Skardon River and the Port of Thursday Island in one of the world’s most spectacular regions.

The Cairns Airport is Australia’s leading regional airport, providing air links to a range of domestic and international locations.


Links »

> Australian Bureau of Statistics
> Australian Market and Social Research Society
> The Economic Society of Australia
> Regional Science Association Australia and New Zealand Section Inc.

SOME INFORMATION RELEASES »


April.2010
A Direct Route to the Kimberley Region

Cummings Economics have been pleased to carry out for the Halls Creek Shire WA an economic impact / benefit cost report on the upgrading of the Tanami Road, linking the Kimberley region direct via major mining operations to Alice Springs and Australia’s major population and industry base in south eastern Australia.
5.01mb(pdf text) RefJ2247

30.Mar.2010
Note on Population Growth 2008/09

Looks at the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates for major regions and cities across Northern Australia.
36kb(pdf text) RefJ2335


Mar.2010
Note re ABS Employment Unemployment figures

Comments on recent trends in the Australian Bureau of Statistics labour force series, recent and likely future trends.
30kb(pdf text) RefJ2321


Mar.2010
Submission re Wild Rivers legislation

A personal submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Commitee enquiry into the QLD Wild Rivers legislation, particularly on the underlying potential of the Cape for agricultural and pastoral development.
521kb(pdf text) RefJ2332


Dec.2008
Cairns Far Northern Queensland Mining Services Study

The study was carried out for DEEDI and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. It identifies operating and proposed mines and exploration activity across Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Eastern Indonesia, current air services to mines and opportunities to provide services especially workforce based on research in the first half of 2008.
4.6mb(pdf text)


Feb.2010
Value of and Prospects for Agriculture in Far North Queensland
(Peninsula Australia)

This paper briefly canvasses the value of agriculture in the regional economy, its historical challenges, contributions to recent growth and future prospects.
318kb(pdf text) RefJ2307


Feb.2010
Australia and the Tropical Turnaround - Part 1 The Tropical Lag - Policy Paper

This is part of a wider work aimed at identifying the lag in development in the tropics that occurred in recent centuries, why it occurred and its implications for national and global economic development policies, and the turnaround that has been taking place in recent decades.
226kb(pdf text)

12.02.10
Perspective on the Causes of the Global Financial Crises - Policy Paper

This paper highlights the contribution of an over reliance on interest rates in Western Economies to control national economies, to the global imbalances that underpinned the Global Financial Crisis
75kb(pdf text) RefJ2304

18.01.10
Anticipating the Global Financial Crisis - Policy Paper

Current soul searching in the economics profession about failures to predict and avoid the current global financial crisis, highlight the significance of an article by Bill Cummings published in the Cairns Post in May 2007 expressing concern about whether the Australian Treasury, The Reserve Bank and the economics profession in general were 'getting it right'.
25kb(pdf text) RefJ2304

27.11.09
Marine Industry Capability Profile

The aim of this report is to provide a capability profile of the Far North Queensland region’s marine industries, including their competitive and comparative advantages, and any deficits or gaps.
6.73mb(pdf text) RefJ2103

06.10.09
Note on Comparative Transient Population Levels, Australian Cities

There is a widespread myth that Cairns has a highly transient population.
Certainly, Cairns has a high level of visitor population, some of whom will seek work during their visit, especially backpackers. However, when population excluding visitors is looked at, a very different picture emerges.
56kb(pdf text) RefJ2276

10.09.09
Economic Impact of James Cook University

Prepared in association with D.S Enterprises, Townsville.
1.8mb(pdf text) RefJ2193

31.08.09
Research Note - Manufacturing

Latest ABS statistics indicate Cairns / Far North Queensland region recorded a strong growth in manufacturing 2001/02 to 2006/07 and continues to lead the north in number of manufacturing locations.
37kb(pdf text) RefJ2269

26.08.09
Cairns Chamber of Commerce Annual Review

Bill Cummings presented his annual review of recent movements and short to medium term prospects of the Cairns economy at the August luncheon for the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, entitled "Understanding the Challenges"
90kb(pdf text) 703kb(pps presentation) RefJ2250

13.08.09
Cairns Arrives on List of Australia's Main Cities

The once remote tropical outpost of 60 years ago with a population of 16,000 in 1947 has now made it to the list of Australia's main cities.
30kb(pdf text) RefJ2264

07.08.09
Mareeba Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Forum

Bill Cummings' presentation to the forum on 31st July 2009 entitled, "Tablelands, Cape & Gulf, Economic Challenges & Opportunities".
53kb(pdf text) 1.3mb(pps presentation) RefJ2239

Recent Key Information Releases Archive ...