Regional working group planning local Commonwealth Games legacy

Published Thursday, 06 August, 2015 at 10:42 AM

Minister for Education and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games
The Honourable Kate Jones

Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones has welcomed the establishment of a working group to help the Darling Downs South West region embrace the opportunities presented by the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018).

Ms Jones said Embracing 2018 regional working groups were being established across the state to help ensure all Queenslanders see lasting benefits from GC2018 before, during and after the Games.

“These groups will provide a coordinated regional approach to the development and implementation of initiatives and activities to support the Embracing our Games Legacy: Queensland’s legacy for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games strategy,” she said

“Each regional working group will work to identify opportunities and develop legacy projects specific to their region and act as a conduit between the community and the Queensland Government.

“It’s very encouraging to see this working group up and running and getting excited about the Games, which will not only be transformative for the Gold Coast, but bring benefits to communities across Queensland.”

The Darling Downs and South West Regional Working Group, chaired by Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cr Geoff McDonald, has already started discussions on the local benefit that GC2018 will bring to the region.  

“I am excited about the many opportunities to involve regional residents and businesses in GC2018 projects,” Cr McDonald said.

“Having an event as significant as the Commonwealth Games staged on our doorstep will lead to a range of benefits for the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.

“We are in the early stages of identifying projects and people from across our region who can support Embracing 2018 legacy activities. GC2018 might seem a way off yet, but we need to get ready now to be in a position to ensure our region shares in the benefits.”

The Darling Downs South West Regional Working Group includes representatives from:

  • Toowoomba Regional Council (Chair)
  • Department of State Development
  • Sports and Tourism, Toowoomba Regional Council
  • Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise
  • Sport Darling Downs
  • Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing
  • University of Southern Queensland
  • Southern Queensland Country Tourism

Regional working groups will address the key themes of:

  • Arts, Education and Culture
  • Sport and Community
  • Economic Development
  • Tourism and Events.

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530