Business news & updates

We distribute an email newsletter full of local economic news, happenings and opportunities for existing and new businesses and investors. Subscribe to find out about developments, tenders and opportunities from Council as well as grants, workshops and professional development opportunities in Cairns.

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2024

2023

Recent business support initiatives

Renew Cairns

Cairns Regional Council has partnered with Renew Australia to enliven Cairns City Centre by transforming empty shopfronts into creative spaces.

Renew Cairns works with the community and property owners to make vacant properties available for use by creative projects, and provide opportunities for local creative industries to trial their ideas.

Creative participants have included projection and music installations, botanical teas and sparkling drinks, an indigenous art gallery, handmade bath and beauty products, bespoke tailoring, leathercrafts, arts collectives. All participants hold opening events, workshops or gatherings to bring people into the CBD and benefit surrounding businesses.

Renew Cairns has activated nine spaces and given opportunities to over 30 makers and artists in this time.

Current participants include:

Yakal. Gallery - Shop 133_53-57 Esplanade, Cairns
House of Kindred and Rose Mercer Jewellery Artist - Shop 1_13 Shields St, Cairns
Artists@work - 51 Lake Street, Cairns

Alumni participants:

Keep it in Cairns

The 'Keep it in Cairns' campaign is an initiative of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, supported by Cairns Regional Council, to encourage people to stop, think before they buy, and support local businesses.

Businesses and local residents are invited to share the message in their shopfronts and through social media to serve as a reminder to people that their buying habits are important. Your dollars do make a difference to your community - because what goes around comes around.

Whether you are buying online or in a store or engaging someone to perform a service, there is often a local supplier who can help. The Chamber is encouraging everyone to take stock of their buying and contracting practices, and make one change, every day if possible, to support their neighbours, local businesses and local jobs.

Download and fill in this checklist ( PDF, 0.32 MB ) to see how well you and your business is doing to 'Keep it in Cairns'.

Posters ( PDF, 0.86 MB ) and social media collateral can be downloaded, printed and shared through business networks.