Cape York Business Development

CYBD provides mentoring and business services for Cape York Aboriginal people. From over one hundred requests for assistance, twenty of the most viable businesses are supported with planning, feasibility analysis, operations, marketing, accounting and strategic development. Each year five of these businesses become self reliant and a further five new business ventures enter the program.
CYBD negotiates partnerships between individuals and existing private sector operators. The operator funds the start-up. CYBD provides mentorship. The individual is groomed in the workings of the business. After a reasonable time-frame the individual is supported in purchasing the operation.
Business hubs are located in Weipa and Cooktown with two mobile services operating out of Cairns. Between them, they promote entrepreneurship, identify community demand for business, identify potential clients, and mentor the pool of twenty businesses.

2006 Achievements

Mossman Gorge Gateway

After more than a decade of hard work and many feasibility studies and submissions, construction of the multi-million dollar Mossman Gorge Gateway project is expected to begin in 2008.
A visitor centre incorporating several Aboriginal owned and operated businesses will be constructed, with suitable car parking and shuttle bus services to cater for the 600,000 annual visitors.
The project will enable the local Kuku Yalanji people to achieve economic and social benefits from tourism on their traditional lands.

Mobile Business Development Managers

Two positions of Mobile Business Development Manager were established to focus specifically on Arts and Tourism. Based in Cairns, each manager supports a nominated sub region.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort

John and Jackie Mulholland from Punsand Bay Camping Resort worked with CYBD to implement short term improvements and long term planning for their business.

A comprehensive three-stage-development and marketing plan was produced and assistance was provided with grant and loan submissions in order to improve infrastructure, equipment, and financial management systems.

CYBD also assisted the Mulhollands in their application for the Queensland Government’s 2007 Reconciliation Awards for Business, for which they were selected as finalists.

Aussie Spic N Span

Donnie De Busch from Aussie Spic N Span approached CYBD for support to develop a car detailing, lawn mowing and cleaning business. Complete with a detailed business and financial plan, Donnie received a $50,000 Indigenous Business Development Grant from the State Government.
A true entrepreneur, Donnie has grown his small business. From employing six indigenous people it has expanded to twenty-one indigenous employees, and has secured a major contract at the Zinifex Century Mine.

Western Cape Earthmoving

This Weipa based business is owned by the aboriginal communities of Napranum and Aurukun. It is managed by two regional trusts and staffed by indigenous and non-indigenous employees.
With assistance from Westpac, CYBD completed a business overview and performance review, and the company has achieved a competitive position within an industry traditionally dominated by non-Indigenous companies.

The company won the Emerging Business category in the Queensland Government’s 2006 Reconciliation Awards for Business and received a $5000 bursary.

2007 priorities
Self-sufficiency and sustainability through the ongoing development of partnerships, revenue raising, service provision and sponsorship are CYBD’s 2007 goals.

To achieve this CYBD will:

• complete the Cooktown Hub situation review and assess and identify business opportunities and align them with the interests, skills and potential of Cape York Aboriginal people
• maximise the use of corporate resources through a specific project basis allocation
• work with funding agencies to review current Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
• identify and implement prioritised objectives for Business Development Managers, and
• assess opportunities to implement a fee for service model.

The major project for 2007 will be to:

• obtain $12 million project funding for the Mossman Gorge Gateway,
• tender for architectural, engineering and construction services,
• appoint development managers for various project components, and
• develop and implement job ready programs for future staff members from Mossman Gorge Community.