Welcome to your Queensland of the future

Published Thursday, 10 October, 2013 at 05:25 PM

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

In thirty years’ time, 95 per cent of Queensland students will be bilingual, we’ll be living ten years longer and the Bruce Highway will be four lanes wide from Brisbane to Cairns.

That’s the view of the delegates who attended The Queensland Plan summit in Brisbane today, taking Queenslanders one step closer towards finalising their thirty year vision for the State.

More than 600 representatives met at a summit in Brisbane to consider more than 78,000 submissions to The Queensland Plan and identify 10 key priorities.

Premier Campbell Newman said there was broad consensus among delegates about the overarching themes that should play a role in Queensland’s future.

“The main thrust of the priorities centred on education, infrastructure and innovation,” Mr Newman said.

“We were, however, extremely mindful to make our priorities measureable, so we can track our progress as the plan moves forward.

“In 30 years’ time, Queensland’s population will be heading past seven million.  What has come out loud and clear from the summit is that Queenslanders want half of the population living outside of the south east corner.

“Queenslanders believe our regions should be boosted to support stronger, healthier communities and attract people who want to live, study and work in them.

“Work will commence straight away on the next stage of the plan, with a draft version released in November and a final version in early 2014.

“Queensland’s priorities for the future will be enshrined in legislation and will be central to government policy.

“But it can’t stop there – every Queenslander, business, community organisation, industry and peak body has to take responsibility in responding to The Queensland Plan and ensuring that their future goals align with the goals of Queenslanders.”

Top 10 priorities (not in any order)

  1. Education that is flexible, affordable and accessible to all, including rural, remote and disadvantaged
  2. Communities that are well planned, well connected and engender community spirit.
  3. Queensland being recognised as internationally competitive with an increase in exports/business especially in agriculture and ecotourism sectors.
  4. Regions being attractive to study, work and live for bright minds and trained professionals
  5. Delivery of economic, social and community benefits through infrastructure.
  6. A long term approach to planning and delivery of infrastructure.
  7. The highest productivity rate in Australia with no skills shortage.
  8. Investment and research into innovation in Queensland’s areas of strengths.
  9. Centres of excellence attracting human capital and driving innovation.
  10. An education model that leverages community and industry partnerships.

Selection of summit ideas

  • Expand the roles of schools to be more community hubs having a holistic view that includes mental health, occupation therapy, speech, nutrition
  • Creation of innovation districts, similar to Silicon Valley, in the regions
  • 95 per cent of all students have functional capability in an Asian language
  • Bruce Highway expansion to 4 lanes min to Cairns and 8 lanes to Sunshine Coast
  • Increase life expectancy of both males and females by10 years by 2043
  • 95 per cent of older people engaged in valued activities within their community (education, community, employment)

[ENDS] 10 October 2013

Contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500