W.S (Bill) Cummings: Partner

Bill Cummings is a highly experienced regional business economist.

He was born and educated in Cairns and took an Economics Degree from the University of Queensland, Brisbane, in 1961, with majors in economics, accounting and maths/statistics/statistical mathematics.

This was followed by seven years experience in economic research in Canberra as a research officer with the Department of Trade and as the research officer of the Australian Chamber of Commerce.

He returned north in 1968 and spent five years as Manager of the Ingham District Research & Promotion Bureau followed by eight years as Manager of the Far North Queensland Development Bureau and its Sub Board for Tourism & Travel now Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

He set up his own economic and market research business in 1981. Apart from carrying out wide ranging economic and market research covering almost all aspects of the economy (especially in Australia’s tropical north east), he has served on numerous boards and committees over the years, including as Deputy Chairman of the North Australia Development Council and on the Council of James Cook University of North Queensland.

Bill Cummings: Curriculum Vitae

Bill Cummings: Special Contact With Asia

Janet Cummings: Partner

Janet Cummings was born in Townsville and educated in Townsville and Cairns. Her career has included school teaching, professional theatre and broadcasting. Since 1981, as partner, her key roles in the firm have related to report production, quality control and staff supervision.

Jennifer Brownie: Research Consultant

Jennifer Brownie holds a Bachelor of Business (Rural Management) from the University of Queensland. Jennifer's business experience has included the multinational company of Cargill, as a Commercial Manager with the Australian Wheat Board and experience in setting up and conduct of rural centres' Chambers of Commerce.

Jennifer has carried out a great deal of business / industry research for Cummings Economics, especially in mining, rural industries, energy, transport and road studies. She is highly experienced in executive interviewing, corporate and industry research.

Research Teams

The firm draws regularly on a trained and highly experienced team of ten research assistants and interviewers to carry out large information, economic and market research tasks..

Cummings Economics Recent Studies

Sealing last links Savanah Way Cairns to Broome - Cost Benefit Analysis
Cairns Education Facilities - Economic Impact
Lakeland Project Urban Centre Development - Economic Impact
Mareeba Development Statistical Profile
Cairns Regional Council Development Incentives Review
Waste Management - Economic Assessment
Cairns Airport Aviation Services Development - Economic Impact Assessment
Stratford Cultural Centre Development - Feasibility Assessment
Water Park Development - Economic Impact Assessment
Bike Trail Network Croydon Shire - Cost Benefit Analysis
Cooya Beach Reservoir Connection - Cost Benefit Analysis
Rex Smeal Playground Port Douglas - Cost Benefit Analysis
Cairns Marine Precinct Upgrade Stage 2 - Economic Impact Cost Benefit Assessment
Bamaga Airport Runway Upgrade - Cost Benefit Analysis
MSF Sugar Cairns Region - Economic Impact Assessment
Leagues Club Grandstand Upgrade - Cost Benefit Analysis
Cotton Gin Project - Economic Impact Assessment
Tourism Tropical North QLD - Statistical Profile
Indigenous Tourism - Statistical Profile
Papua New Guinea Pacific Trade Development Report
Cairns Show Association - Economic Impact Assessment
The Palms Residential Tourism Development Project - Economic Impact Assessment
Tourism Cairns Region Historical Review
Regional Development Australia Strategic Plan - Statistical Profile
Galalar Silica Project - Economic Impact
Cairns Community Markets - Economic Impact
Dixie Way Normanton to Peninsular Road Link - Cost Benefit Assessment
Mareeba Heritage Centre - Cost Benefit Assessment
Yirrganydji Indigenous Cultural Tourism Product - Feasibility Assessment
Cairns Airport Aviation Sector - Economic Impact
Mareeba Water Plant Upgrade - Cost Benefit Assessment
Nullinga Dam Project Snapshot
Yarrabah Community Economic Profile
Normanton Burketown Road Link Sealing - Cost Benefit Assessment
Mareeba Sewer System Upgrade - Cost Benefit Assessment
Chillagoe Water Bore & Water Main Construction - Cost Benefit Assessment
Cairns College of English & Business - Economic Impact Assessment
Agnes Water Eco Tourism Park - Economic Need & Impact Assessment
Great Barrier Reef Review of Economic Value
Mareeba Shire Unemployment Trends Statistical Review
CQUniversity Proposed CBD Campus - Economic Impact
Davies Ck Bridge Springmount Rd Mareeba Shire Council - Cost Benefit Assessment
Tablelands Regional Council Mary Street Bridge - Cost Benefit Analysis
Lakeland Economic Trends & Prospects - Review
Cultural Island Reef Project - Economic Impact Assessment
Argyle Diamond Mine Closure Strategy - Potential Projects - Initial Assessment
Argyle Diamond Mine Closure Studies

Preliminary Economic Profile
Post Mining Opportunities Analysis

Chillagoe Town Water Supply - Economic Impact Benefit Cost Analysis
Mareeba Snapshot 2019 – Statistical Profile & Articles
Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park - Benefit Cost/ Economic Impact Analysis
International Education in the Cairns Economy - Economic Impact & Cost Benefit Analysis
Major Development – Northern Beaches - Report on Need
New Mapoon Community Economic Development Plan
Causes of Higher Costs of Operation in Remote Areas - Results of Survey of Larger Businesses & Organisations – Normanton Qld
Trends in Tourism in Tropical North Queensland

Note 1 : Market Share Analysis
Note 2 : Aviation Statistics Market Share, Seat Capacity & Airfare Analysis
Note 3 : Economic Influences

Babinda & Gordonvale – Economic Development Strategy & Plan Update
Far North Queensland Aviation Museum - Economic Impact/ Benefit Cost Assessment
The Cairns Chinese Cultural & Heritage Centre Proposal - Benefit Cost & Economic Impact Analysis
Carpentaria Shire Council - Overarching Strategic Development Plan - Project – Road Network Study - Economic Impact/ Cost Benefit Analysis
Carpentaria Shire Council - Overarching Strategic Development Plan - Project – Normanton Raw Water Project - Economic Impact/Benefit Cost Analysis
Agriculture in Tropical Australia & the Case for Expansion of the Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply System
Direct Air Services between Lae PNG & Cairns Australia - Business Case
Home Hill Sports Centre & Emergency Cyclone Shelter, Economic Impact & Cost Benefit Analysis
Review of State Government Long-Term Population Projections in Regional Queensland from the 1970s Onwards
Cultural & Creative Businesses Survey
Cultural & Creative Activities in the Cairns Region - Estimates of Economic Impact
Adventure Waters Project - Economic Impact Assessment
NPA Airport at Bamaga - Proposed Airport Terminal Upgrade - Economic Impact Benefit Cost Analysis
Estimated Likely Economic Impact of Passenger Carrying Capacity - New Cargo Vessel
Mareeba Snapshot 2018 – Statistical Profile & Articles
Double Island Resort Palm Cove - Demand Assessment & Economic Impact
Kuranda Barang Street Sewerage Pump Station Upgrade - Benefit Cost & Economic Impact
City Tourist Attraction - Demand Assessment & Economic Impact
Gateway to the Cape Project Information Centre - Benefit Cost & Economic Impact Analysis
Tully Multi-Use Sporting Complex & Grandstand - Benefit Cost & Economic Impact Analysis
Proposed New Hotel Gordonvale - Economic & Social Impact in the Gordonvale Area
Mareeba Industrial Park Expansion - Benefit Cost & Economic Impact
Background Kuranda - “Village in the Rainforest”
KUR-World EIS Social Impact Analysis - Supplementary Information
Cairns Airport Capital Project - Economic Impacts
Cooktown Marine Project - Marine Infrastructure Audit
Rezoning Captain Cook Hwy Property Clifton Beach Cairns - Report on Need
Mareeba Industrial Park Heavy Vehicle Road Development - Benefit Cost Analysis
Projected Tourism Growth Cairns Region
Castaways Mission Beach Development - Demand Assessment
Cairns - Leading Population Growth in Regional Queensland Research Paper
Cairns - Leading Population Growth in Northern Australia Research Paper
Cultural & Creative Activity in the Cairns Region - Comparative Statistical Analysis
CE Ref J3129 Demographics of the Cairns Region – Statistical Analysis