Six weeks after the first round of Regional Community Forums for 2022, Western Queensland residents will again meet with Ministers and MPs in Barcaldine tomorrow to expand on their priorities and accelerate action for the region.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the next steps for the Western Queensland forum were crucial for members to lead projects into the second half of 2022.
“May began a new era with new members sharing their priorities for a region-specific action plan,” the Premier said.
“Forum members, Ministers and MPs have had six weeks to develop their ideas and identify opportunities for the continued growth, wellbeing and prosperity of Western Queensland.
“Since then we’ve released the biggest health and hospital building plan in Queensland history.
“And almost two-thirds of capital investment in the budget is allocated to the regions.
“So there’s a solid foundation for Ministers, MPs and community representatives to use tomorrow’s forum to plan for more good jobs, better services and a great Western Queensland lifestyle.”
Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey will join Western Queensland forum members in Barcaldine.
Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd will chair the forum.
Tomorrow’s forum will begin with a site tour of the Barcaldine Rec Park, which has been designed to accommodate a wide range of water sports, supporting tourism, social infrastructure and livability in the region.
The agenda also includes group discussions and a presentation from the Queensland Treasury Corporation on social infrastructure and preparing for future economic challenges.
Ms Boyd said forum members in May shared their passions and priorities, key objectives and challenges for the region.
“With Ministers and Directors-General we broke into groups and reported back issues including community wellbeing, skills and education, infrastructure, pathways to opportunities, livability, housing and aged care,” Ms Boyd said.
“Three key priorities were identified for a new Local Action Plan for the region – health and wellbeing, education and training, and economic and social infrastructure.
“In developing the Action Plan, forum members have worked constructively between forums, and I look forward to the leadership they will show, as we look at what can be delivered for the region in partnership with Government.”
The Western Queensland forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with other forums set for Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs-South West, North-North West Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast and the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region.
The Regional Community Forums are part of the Queensland Government’s Advancing Queensland’s Regions strategy, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
