August 22, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
Cherbourg is moving towards having people own their businesses in town.
Twenty employers, council and government officials met on August 15 to discuss how to make this a reality.
It will involve Cherbourg people being involved in the development of enterprises.
Should they prove their capabilities they will be given a chance to take the reins as owner-managers.
“It will be a hand up, not a hand out,” Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council economic development manager Sean Nicholson said.
“It will take a while but we want the school kids to graduate into employment where they can succeed.
“We don’t want CDEP (work for the dole) to be a destination job. We want it to be a transition to a career or a job people love to do.”
The first project is scheduled to be handed over in October.
This will allow a local man to be promoted to the ownership of a cutting edge agricultural project.
It will involve planting vegetables in charcoal and the control of their seedling temperatures so produce comes to market earlier and fetches top dollar.
While the land and equipment will always belong to Cherbourg Council, the business will effectively become the current worker’s, who has earned his stripes for the past three years.
The Yurri Muntha Café, cattle farm, joinery and other council businesses may be operated in the same manner at a later date.
It’s hoped success will bring other projects to the fore.
“It’s a 20-year plan,” Mr Nicholson said.
“There are some great opportunities being developed.
“At the moment we’re in the people building stage but laying the platform for a great future.”
