2023 Regional Community Forums boosting opportunities for Queenslanders
Ministers and State Members of Parliament supporting rural and regional Queenslanders
Local priorities and the Q2032 ‘Buy Queensland’ approach are on the agenda
The third Regional Community Forums of the year take place today as the Palaszczuk Government continues to drive change and deliver billions of dollars to the regions.
Cabinet Ministers and State Members will be out in force across rural and regional Queensland to maintain the conversation with forum members about the priorities and opportunities in seven regions.
Each forum also includes a presentation about the Q2032 Procurement Strategy, with its ‘Buy Queensland’ foundation supporting Queensland businesses to grow, win more work and showcase the best that our state has to offer in the lead up to the Games.
It comes as the government announces a nation leading new-look online procurement portal, which will be a one-stop shop for government contracts.
The new online platform will be launched in partnership with Local Buy and local government councils, which will reduce risks, time and costs associated with securing government contracts and allow suppliers to deal with both tiers of government through a single online profile.
The joint procurement platform will be managed by Local Buy, established by the Local Government Association of Queensland in 2001, and will become available later this year.
There is an anticipated $180 billion of government procurement which can be shared by Queensland businesses over the next nine years.
Brisbane 2032 is also supporting schools, with 680 schools across the state receiving $2.5 million in sporting equipment through the Go For Gold program, more than half of them in regional Queensland.
And it’s expected that around 50 per cent of international travellers visiting as a result of Brisbane 2032 will disperse to Queensland’s regions, stimulating a significant increase in overnight visitor expenditure.
The seven Regional Community Forums will be held in regional centres:
Gracemere (Central Queensland)
Charleville (Darling Downs South West region)
Port Douglas (Far North Queensland)
Bowen (Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region)
Mount Isa (North and North West Queensland)
Boulia (Western Queensland)
Hervey Bay (Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast region)
The forum members are participating in their third of four forums for 2023.
Quotes attributable to Acting Premier Steven Miles:
“Our government will always back regional Queensland as the backbone of our state’s thriving industries.
“The Regional Forums are another opportunity for wide-ranging discussions to take place between forum members and government representatives with a targeted focus on the region.
“We have maintained that the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will benefit everyone across Queensland, which is why the Q2032 Procurement Strategy is so important.
“The Games are an opportunity for all of Queensland to come together and provide the building blocks that will make 2032 the event of a generation.
“I want to thank the forum members for their valuable work once again, and I emphasise that we are listening, and we are taking action on the priorities in the regions, so that all Queenslanders are supported towards a brighter future.”
Quotes from attributable to the Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni:
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Q2032 Strategy demonstrates how we are investing in regional Queensland and providing opportunities for all businesses to share in more than $180 billion in procurement opportunities between now and then.
“In the many mighty Queensland regions and towns, it will help to grow local business, foster collaboration and deliver a real capacity uplift to ensure that the whole state can compete on the international stage.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher:
“The forums have been valuable for the Queensland Government to hear from people on the ground, so that we continue to develop the regions and invest where it is needed most.
“We are supporting communities to address issues, create opportunities and benefit Queenslanders wherever they live.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
“Rural and regional Queenslanders are at the heart of our state, which is why it is so valuable to have our conversations through the forums.
“The amazing commitment of the forum members demonstrates the importance of what we are achieving together, and I thank them for their great support.”
Quotes attributable to Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum member Ron Petterson:
“Through collaboration and using our combined knowledge, we can create effective plans to overcome important obstacles and take advantage of opportunities for long-term growth. “With our collective and dedicated focus on fostering inventive solutions that empower our region, I’m confident that we can reach our objectives with dedication and effort.”
Quotes attributable to LGAQ President Mayor Mark Jamieson:
“Local Buy has a strong track record of supporting both our councils and suppliers.
“It is a great outcome that this platform is being expanded, offering a gateway for businesses to secure more work with government across Queensland.”
Further Background:
One more round of Regional Community Forums is scheduled for 2023.
Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
Minister Mick de Brenni and Assistant Minister Bart Mellish will be Gracemere (Central Queensland)
Minister Grace Grace and Minister Mark Furner will be in Charleville (Darling Downs South West region)
Minister Craig Crawford and Minister Glenn Butcher will join Assistant Minister Michael Healy in Port Douglas (Far North Queensland)
Minister Mark Ryan and Minister Leeanne Enoch will join Assistant Minister Julieanne Gilbert in Bowen (Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region)
Minister Di Farmer and Minister Scott Stewart will join Assistant Minister Charis Mullen in Mount Isa (North and North West Queensland)
Minister Mark Bailey and Assistant Minister Nikki Boyd will be Boulia (Western Queensland)
Attorney General Yvette D’Ath and Minister Leanne Linard will be in Hervey Bay (Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast region)
