Gross Regional Product (GRP) per head of population was used during CYPLUS Stage 1 to provide an overview of the relative contributions made by each industry sector to the economy of Cape York Peninsula. These investigations showed that the economy of Cape York Peninsula is predominantly based upon:
CYPLUS also noted that these two industry sectors, with the possible addition of nature-based tourism, are likely to continue to underpin the regional economy in the foreseeable future.
When compared to the Queensland economy as a whole, it is apparent the Cape York Peninsula regional economy is narrowly-based. The sectors of the economy which are least developed are:
However, the CYPLUS investigations have also confirmed the important contributions to GRP made by traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities such as fishing, hunting and gathering for food product, the use of local resources for the construction of shelters and tools, and traditional medicinal resources.
CYPLUS
www.environment.gov.au/erin/cyplus/index.html
Aboriginal art is now an internationally acclaimed and sought commodity. Resale prices have headed into the millions, as one recent Sotheby's group sale of $3.9 million attests.
Young Cape York artists such as Lisa Michl and the members of the Lockhart River Art Gang are advancing the international awareness of Aboriginal Art on as led by elder Hopevale artists Roy McIvor and Walter Jack and other Cape York artists.
UMI Arts
A new organisation based in Cairns to support indigenous artists and craftspeople in far north and west Queensland.
www.umiarts.com.au
Quinkan and Regional Cultural Centre
The cultural centre has a select range of regional Aboriginal arts and crafts available for sale.
www.quinkancc.com.au
Lockhart River Art and Culture Centre
Lockhart River is famous for the young and energetic group of artists who work at the Lockhart River Art and Culture Centre.
www.artgang.com.au
Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Thursday Island
www.tsra.gov.au
Nature’s Powerhouse, Cooktown
www.cook.qld.gov.au
Aboriginal Art Online
www.aboriginalartonline.com
Agriculture and fishing together contribute 5.4% of GRP on Cape York Peninsula and employ 6% of the workforce with coffee, bananas and tropical fruits only a few of the Cape’s regular crops.
Agriculture Gateway
www.agriculture.gov.au
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
www.daff.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Farm BIS
www.farmbis.gov.au
Farm Help
www.daff.gov.au/farmhelp
Indigenous People in Rural Industries Program
www.daff.gov.au/indigenous
National Food Industry Strategy
www.nfis.com.au
Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation
www.rirdc.gov.au
CYPDA assists industry in maintaining access to commercial fisheries and seeks improved indigenous access to commercial fisheries and continued access for traditional purposes. The Association encourages projects that promote and manage recreational
fishing.
Aquaculture is an emerging priority use for Queensland's coastal areas with many small indigenous fisheries and aquaculture projects at various stages of development throughout Cape York, including training in mud crab and barramundi fishing, processing, marketing and business management with a view to Indigenous business ownership.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
www.daff.gov.au
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
www.dpi.qld.gov.au
Mining for gold brought European settlement to Cape York in the 1870s, while today bauxite mining and other mineral deposits have added significantly to the economy with the Peninsula now dominated by the industry. Mining contributes more than half of the Gross Regional Product (GRP), employs 12% of the workforce (10 times the national level), and occupies 4.5% of the area.
Bauxite mining at Weipa
There are extensive deposits of bauxite along the west coast of Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria coast. Weipa is the centre for this mining activity which began in the early 1960s. Production levels have increased and associated activities have continued sustaining a population of about 2,000. Current production is around 12 million tonnes annually.
Comalco
www.comalco.com
Further mineral deposits
Extensive mineral deposits such as copper, zinc, gold, tin, silver and gemstones are found across Cape York.
Matilda Minerals
www.matildaminerals.com/siteContent/capeyork.htm
Export of silica-sands
Silica-sand deposits at Cape Flattery are rated as world-class and are the basis of a major export market.
Fact sheet: Mining in Queensland
www.nrw.qld.gov.au/factsheets/pdf/mines/m1.pdf
More than 150 years ago, non-indigenous settlers established the first of many cattle stations, which has seen the pastoral industry become a significant player in Cape York Peninsula’s economy with cattle grazing being the dominant land use (57%).
Property planning
Property plans are used by landholders to document property resources and management practices, and to design property changes.Property plans may be voluntary, a regulatory requirement, or needed to support an application for financial assistance.
www.nrw.qld.gov.au/land/management/property_planning.html
National Farmers' Federation (NFF)
www.nff.org.au
Elders News
livestock.elders.com.au/news.asp
Tourism is already a significant driver of growth in the regional economy, with tremendous potential for more. Visitor numbers per annum to Cooktown and the lower Cape York Peninsula are now 60,000 while 20,000 tourists venture to the top of the Peninsula exploring Cape York on the way. Tourism offers real competitive advantage for the region, presenting a wealth of future opportunities, especially in Indigenous, ecotourism and adventure activities.
Tropical Tourism North Queensland
www.tropicalaustralia.com.au