City can learn from South Bank

BIG DREAMS: A merger announcement yesterday brings high hopes for Dominique McGregor.

CHRIS ISON CI--

TOURIST attractions such as Brisbane’s South Bank are what Dominique McGregor would love to see along Quay Street in Rockhampton.

The 34-year-old owner of the Customs House Function Centre and Café said the riverbank region was already a huge attraction for tourists but she would love to see more locals using the riverbank for events and recreation.

“People would welcome any community event,” Dominique said.

Responding to news that the boards of Capricorn Tourism and Development Organisation Inc, and Rockhampton regional Development Ltd, have agreed to merge, announced yesterday, Dominique said not only would it have the potential to help her business on a personal level, with more access to marketing and services information, it would have the ability to get major funding for big events and major development.

Capricorn Tourism Chairman Grant Cassidy said the merger heralded a new beginning for the region and would position it as one of Queensland’s leading Tourism and Economic Development organisations.

“This is a commonsense merger which will focus on the future and deliver better bang for buck to members and stakeholders,” Mr Cassidy said.

“The time was right to merge the two organisations and create one identity.”

Mick Cranny, chairman of RRDL, said the merger would create better opportunity to get big developments happening, like an upgrade to the Capricorn Highway and push for a resort on Great Keppel Island.

The merged entity will be known as Enterprise CQ, but this name may change as details of the merger are finalised.

Members of each current board will go to the new board, but it is expected the two current boards will remain for at least the next year.