A Mission Fit index created by Urbis has put Cairns in a prime position to become a regional economic superstar, ahead of other cities.
Urbis director Kate Meyrick said the index measured cities using 51 objective indicators from six sub industries — people, planet, performance (economic), positivity, place and public transport (and other connections).
And Cairns is the “undiscovered rock star”, she said.
Ms Meyrick said Cairns’ economic performance had outstripped other regional cities with investments into the hospital, university and marina bolstering momentum for economic opportunities.
“Cairns has a unique value proposition, incredible depth of natural resources, it’s close to Asian markets, it has a growing population, diversity of regional landscapes and lifestyle,” she said.
“I call it Queensland’s Far Northern powerhouse.
James Cook University’s investment into the Cairns and Smithfield campus were some of the investments increasing momentum for the region’s economic opportunities. JCU’s IT lecturer Jason Holdsworlth (centre) helps students Owen Herbert and Finley Sherwood with their research projects. Picture: Brendan Radke
