General News
2 December, 2024
Big cities lure our youth
CAIRNS Regional Council’s Facebook page has been bombarded with suggestions after the council’s youth survey revealed almost half (49 per cent) of the region’s young people want to leave the city because their preferred study path is not available in Cairns.
Joey Anselmo said more industries besides tourism were needed.
“That is why we moved. Left Cairns and the business from which we were generational to move to the big smoke,” he said.
“They just have a better level of investment, opportunities and activities like sports for the younger generation.
“The crime, cost of property, cost of lease and red tape from governing bodies for a small town like Cairns just doesn’t provide the benefits a big city does for the value. It is sad, because Cairns was once great, especially for young families.”
Stephen Ung said if their parents had “confidence in a diverse strong economy then they wouldn’t encourage their kids to get a ‘better’ education or job down south”. “The more liveable and attractive a place is to young people or families, the less likely they are to move,” he said.
“Lower land prices, good post-TAFE or uni job placements, access to GPs and kindy, access to lower power costs or more realistic commercial property costs and access to occasional high quality live entertainment.” Mr Ung said also needed were strong sporting club options run by local volunteers and seasonal access to direct international tourism destinations at good rates during shoulder (off-peak) seasons.
Pia Francini said what was needed was high speed network connections, coupled with financial incentives to attract large companies to come to Cairns and to hire locals. “Incentivise TAFE to run courses to train up locals to meet local trade gaps,” she said. She also suggested enterprise start up support, addressing the crime rate and offering first home incentives.
Joanne Neil said affordable housing for people at the start of their career or study journey was required.
“More efficient and regular public transport that includes travel to the airport, as well as down the range, which could include using the train tracks,” she said.
Mischa Dummel said she would like to see the statistics of young people returning to Cairns after studying elsewhere.
“I moved away straight after finishing school along with many of my friends. Nearly all of us have returned back here over the years to settle and start a family,” she said.
