BUSINESS THE WINNER IN LORD MAYOR'S ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT

STRENGTHENING local businesses and creating jobs are key strategies in a draft economic blueprint by Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.

Quirk says the Brisbane City Council’s new ‘Brisbane’s Window of Opportunity’ report will foster greater local government support for the private sector, investment attraction and new employment opportunities.

“Businesses in Brisbane are doing it tough and my administration will be doing all it can to boost confidence, hope and opportunity,” he says.

“Local businesses are a key focus for me and this report shows there is more that can be done to grow Brisbane’s economy.”

The document, which involved consultation with more than 200 businesses, recommends creating 343,000 new jobs within the next 10 years, driving Brisbane’s digital economy, promoting the city in key global markets, boosting volunteer tourism marketing programs and encouraging both four and five-star hotel developments in the CBD.

Steering committee chairman Ian Klug says the report provides a solid platform for doing business.

“These recommendations are designed to create prosperity for the city and to enable Brisbane’s business to harness the resources boom and beyond,” says Klug.

“The report presents council with a number of recommendations focused on short and long term economic growth. The good news is that we believe they will have a positive impact across all industries.”

Mayor Quirk will review the report before finalising implementation of recommendations.

While the document is not expected until 2012, the business community will shift its short-term focus on a discussion panel on Thursday November 24 that will focus on the issues affecting Queensland's future.

The event will be held at Hilton Brisbane and allow the business community to hear from speakers of national and international standing as they share their experience and knowledge.

Speakers include Tourism Australia chairman and former Qantas boss Geoff Dixon, CEO of Queensland Investment Corporation Doug McTaggart, CEO, president of Qld Farmers Federation Joanne Grainger; Ausenco CEO Zimi Meka and Eddie MacDonald, the CEO of Super Amart.