Creative industries in the tropics: Reflections on creativity and northeastern Australia as place

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of creativity and place as relevant to Cairns and Townsville in northeastern Australia. These two provincial cities are key to the economic and population growth of northern Australia and as such are the focus of renewed interest from all levels of government. While the creative industries sector in each location is significant, to date there has been no research specifically exploring the views of industry participants in terms of the creative strengths, impediments and opportunities across the region. Interviews with 38 creative industries participants were completed, revealing the significant benefits and challenges associated with being located in a remote tropical environment where the concept of place is strong. The interviews also reveal a number of potential growth strategies for the sector in each location that have the potential to inform policy and urban development approaches not only in the tropical north of Australia but also more broadly across the country. That is, the findings provide further evidence in support of the need for ongoing research into the particular contributions of regional and rural cities to the global creative economy.

The relationship between creative developments and place: a position paper

“…They may glamorize an area (e.g. with well-designed public spaces) to outsiders or real-estate Drake (2003); Daniel (2015), Platt (2019); Stevens (2015), Ballico (2017); Tang (2020), Trip and Romein (2014); Felton and Collis (2012), Tang (2020) Creative firms and institutions Durmaz Drinkwater and Platt (2016), ; Daniel (2015), Kiroff (2019);Slach, et al (2015); Clare (2013), Lazzeretti (2012); Kiroff (2017), Neff (2005); Mengi et al (2020) Trip andRomein (2014), He et al (2018); Evans (2019), Felton and Collis (2012) Creative professionals/ creative class/tourism Clare (2013), Heebels and Van Aalst (2010); Felton and Collis (2012), Willett (2014); Reuschke et al (2021), ; Zandiatashbar and Hamidi (2018), Trip and Romein (2014) JPMD 16,2 developers in ways that capitalize on the economic value of land attached to these clusters, and this might result in gentrification processes, such as rent rises and/or substituting lowprofile cultural venues and affordable housing and working spaces (congenial for artists) with expensive venues and housing (Gibson et al, 2012;Tang, 2020;Trip and Romein, 2014) . In addition, it has been argued that the legacy of large-scale cultural projects is more related to image and city branding activities than long-term development of local creative industries, catering to artist's needs and accounting for placespecific context (García, 2005;Kiroff, 2019;Lin, 2018).…”

“…The positive image of Soho as the heart of film studios, and the tradition and nostalgia associated with Beyoğlu as a film-related neighborhood, affect the locational decisions of other companies and attract customers. As Table 3 shows, a sense of community and of identity is also recognized as central to the success of creative developments (Daniel, 2015; Durmaz Drinkwater and Platt, 2016; Trip and Romein, 2014). For instance, the presence of close-knit collaborative networks or a passionate community of peers is regarded as inspiring for creative workforces (Daniel, 2015).…”

“…As Table 3 shows, a sense of community and of identity is also recognized as central to the success of creative developments (Daniel, 2015; Durmaz Drinkwater and Platt, 2016; Trip and Romein, 2014). For instance, the presence of close-knit collaborative networks or a passionate community of peers is regarded as inspiring for creative workforces (Daniel, 2015).…”

Towards Australian Regional Turnaround: Insights into Sustainably Accommodating Post-Pandemic Urban Growth in Regional Towns and Cities

“…Evidence signals that many knowledge workers are attracted to specific regional areas as part of a wider 'e-change' ex-urban migration trend [54]. However, there is a gap in research on knowledge/creative industries in regional locations [80].…”