REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT DURING HOME HILL MINISTERIAL REGIONAL COMMUNITY FORUM

Queensland Government support for regional development and building a more vibrant community in the Burdekin were issues discussed in Home Hill today as part of the Ministerial Regional Community Forum process.

Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism Lindy Nelson-Carr and Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace met with regional representatives, known as forum members, to exchange information and share ideas.

“Forum members presented a proposal that highlighted the need for a consistent and integrated approach to regional development and planning,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“The forum members recommended that a workshop be convened to discuss a state-wide regional development framework and to identify appropriate governance arrangements to ensure effective implementation of regional plans.

“The relevant government departments will review the proposal and report back at the next forum to be held in the region.”

Mr Wallace thanked the community, and in particular the forum members, for getting involved in the forum process.

“These forums help government to better understand the needs of regional Queensland,” he said.

“Today the government also reported back on an issue that was raised at a previous forum, concerning the mistreatment of older persons.

“On September 17, Townsville was announced as one of four locations in regional Queensland to receive a specialist legal service to help prevent financial abuse of older people.”

Simultaneous forum events were run in ten different regional areas across the state today, with forums also held at:

·Dalby

·Yorkey’s Knob

·Rockhampton

·Springwood

·Moranbah

·Caboolture

·Hervey Bay

·North Palm Beach

·Jindalee

Ms Nelson-Carr said that today’s forums were the final events for the current group of forum members who had served a three-year term.

“I especially want to thank all forum members for the valuable contributions they have made over the past three years, both to the Queensland Government and their local communities,” she said.

“The government is well aware of the time and effort that goes into preparing for these meetings and forum members have done so in a voluntary capacity.”

Mr Wallace said forums were a great opportunity for Queenslanders to get involved in the government decision-making process.

“I encourage any locals who may be interested in becoming a regional representative for next year’s forums to contact the local Department of Communities office for details,” he said.

For further information about the forum process, visit the Department of Communities website at www.communities.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office Andie Gatti 3336 8002 or Minister Wallace’s office Caroline Kaurila 3896 3694