Western Queensland councils gather for inaugural assembly

Western Queensland councils gather for inaugural assembly

The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils held its inaugural assembly with representatives of the 21-member local governments gathering in Longreach.

The Alliance represents Burke, Carpentaria, Cloncurry, Doomadgee, Flinders, McKinlay, Mount Isa, Richmond, Barcaldine, Barcoo, Blackall-Tambo, Boulia, Diamantina, Longreach, Winton, Balonne, Bulloo, Maranoa, Murweh, Paroo and Quilpie.

Three representative bodies, the North West Regional Organisation of Councils, the Remote Area Planning and Development Board and the South West Local Government Association, have united through the Alliance to advocate as one on common issues in the Western Queensland region.

Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural AffairsStirling Hinchliffe andMinister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher welcomed the Alliance and the collaboration for western communities.

“Three very powerful and diligent organisations working together for the communities of the Far West will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Our councils are intertwined within the very fabric of Outback Queensland and are, in many ways, the lifeblood.

“Working together with the Palaszczuk Government through initiatives such as the $200 million COVID Works for Queensland program, we will unite and recover and get regional communities back on their feet.”

Mr Butcher said working collaboratively would help western Queensland councils take advantage of opportunities for economic and social growth, while also providing a vital network when faced with critical challenges.

“Talking to many of these mayors over the past two months, it is clear they are passionate, committed and focused on delivering for their local communities,” he said. “We’ve seen this during cyclones, floods and droughts, and they have displayed magnificent leadership for their communities during the challenges put to us by the impacts of the COVID pandemic.

“Working together, and with the State Government, will also help to deliver a strong and clear vision for the future of the region, providing a roadmap to strong and prosperous communities.”

“This Alliance is an important partnership to further advocate for those in remote parts of Queensland. Together, the 21 shires represent 60 per cent of Queensland’s land mass so I have no doubt the Alliance will be a strong and energic voice for this critical region.”

The member councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils received $25.48 million from the COVID Works for Queensland program to deliver 118 projects, which will create or support more than 870 jobs in the region.

To see Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from the global coronavirus pandemic, click here.

Media contacts:

Bernadette Condren 0417 296 116 (Minister Hinchliffe)

Dan Lato 0438 891 158 (Minister Butcher)

ENDS