Tailgaters Business Hurdle

A belated Happy New Year. With the rain this could set Central Queensland up to have a good 2016. What resolution should we hope our local politicians made for CQ? Making CQ more attractive for business to establish, expand and create extra jobs should feature. Rockhampton in particular, after research established the region has about two-thirds the number of small businesses per 1000 people than the national average, thus arguably two-thirds of the employment opportunities. The installation of optic fibre cabling along Quay Street for faster internet speed appears a positive. The proposed accompanying technology precinct also appears promising. However if a technology business that imports materials in their due diligence of selecting a desired location find they would be around $500 out of pocket each time they get their materials into Rockhampton compared to Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville, Gladstone and a host of other Queensland locations would they ditch Rockhampton. In 2012 I highlighted that an overseas container landing at an Australian international port to be trans-shipped to postcode 4700, 4701, 4702 or 4703 as its final destination is subject to a quarantine inspection and thus fee. However this tailgate fee is not charged if that final destination is Gladstone (4680), Mackay (4740), Bundaberg (4670), Townsville (4810) and a whole host of other locations. Visit the link http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/online-services/delivery-postcode/summary#queensland to see what postcodes/ locations are deemed rural (tailgate fee payable) and metropolitan (no tailgate fee). The Government is indicating it is fine for imported materials to be sent to these ‘metropolitan’ centre’s on the assumption the necessary quarantine checks were thoroughly done at the overseas dispatch port, but if coming to ‘rural’ post codes 4700, 4701, 4702 or 4703 it needs to be checked again and a fee charged, plus possibly have the product sitting longer waiting inspection. It appears not one local politician considers this a possible impediment to attracting business. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources web site even indicates that metropolitan ports should be more affordable and competitive compared to rural. There is talk about making Rockhampton airport an international freight terminal. Being in postcode 4700 does that make Rockhampton airport less affordable and competitive to Townsville? A level playing field, that along with the rain would set up CQ for a good 2016.