Far North progress with State and local government partnership

Published Friday, 14 July, 2017 at 04:16 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Mark Furner

Far North Queensland communities are benefiting from the strong partnership the Palaszczuk Government has with local councils across the region.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Local Government Minister Mark Furner convened a roundtable with Mayors and representatives from Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils region’s councils in Cairns yesterday, as part of the Government’s Governing from Cairns initiative.

“My Government is determined to work with local governments to create jobs and deliver frontline services,” she said.

Mayor of Cairns Regional Council Bob Manning said having the Premier and Cabinet Ministers in Cairns these past five days has allowed for constructive and productive discussions.

“We are on the same page when it comes to providing for our respective communities and the need for different levels of Government to work collaboratively has never been greater,“ Mayor Manning said.

“We are prepared to work together to get positive outcomes.”

“Councils support the benefits and the uncomplicated nature of the ‘Works for Queensland’ program. This demonstrates a level of trust between the two levels of Government which is a very welcome sign.

“Longer stays in regional cities by Ministers on a more regular basis would be welcomed and this would ensure a better understanding of issues and how they might be resolved.”

FNQ ROC Chair Tom Gilmore said it was quite clear that the Premier and Minister are both particularly interested in the activities of our region and our Councils.

“I feel that the meeting was both cordial and productive. On behalf of the thirteen member Councils of the FNQ ROC, I thank both the Premier and Minister Furner for their generous allocation of time, for what I hope will be the first of regular annual meetings,” Mayor Gilmore said.

The Premier’s meeting with FNQ ROC highlighted the support they were receiving through the Palaszczuk Government’s Works for Queensland program.

In the State Budget last month, the Palaszczuk Government committed an additional $200 million for the job-creating Works for Queensland program taking the total funding for the program to $400 million.

This initiative is designed to get local people into local jobs, boosting the regional economy immediately where it is needed the most through funding for local government projects.

“I am proud of the partnership we have with local government and communities through the Works for Queensland and Building Our Regions programs. Our partnership with local councils across a full range of infrastructure and service delivery is benefiting Queenslanders across the State,” the Premier said.

“We have shared goals and ambitions for Queensland communities and we are working closely together to achieve them.”

Minister Furner said the Councils are to be utterly commended for their strategic and cooperative approach to the collective needs of their region.

“They told me that they speak with one voice and they have a shared set of principles. And I am giving my commitment, that I will meet with them annually,” he said.

- Please find attached picture of Premier and Minister Furner meeting with Mayors representing Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils in Cairns as part of the Palaszczuk Government's Governing from Cairns.

 Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791