City residents targeted at Queensland’s first Country Week Expo

The first Queensland Country Week Expo to promote country life to people living in the State’s south-east officially opened in Brisbane today.

Acting Communities Minister Kerry Shine said the Expo would highlight the virtues of regional and rural life would be showcased at the Country Week Expo at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre from 6 to 8 July 2007.

Supported by Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush, Mr Shine said the Tree and Sea Change Expo would showcase the opportunities available in rural Queensland for people thinking of a career or lifestyle change.

“This is the first Queensland Country Week Expo. However, it had been successfully promoting country life to city dwellers in New South Wales for the past three years,” Mr Shine said.

Born in Toowoomba, Mr Shine was raised on a farm and he represents the electorate of Toowoomba North in State Parliament. As Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Mr Shine is also the Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland.

“The Country Week Expo encourages people living in metropolitan areas to Live the Dream and make a tree change or sea change to rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Shine said.

“This Expo will be a one-stop-shop for information about all aspects of country life, and country lifestyle options.”

“From Quilpie to Mackay, more than 40 country and regional communities will be on display at the three-day Expo.”

“Exhibitors will include local councils, real estate and employment agencies — all vying to attract metropolitan residents and visitors to live and work in their country towns and rural and regional centres.”

Mr Shine said the Queensland Government’s Blueprint for the Bush was a driving force in boosting economic development in rural areas, including revitalising the image of rural Queensland.

“Given the event’s shared focus with the blueprint’s ‘Our Place, Our Future’ funding initiative, the Queensland Government has allocated $160,000 to assist 16 rural and regional organisations to participate in the Expo.”

The Blueprint for the Bush is a 10-year partnership between the Queensland Government and AgForce Queensland, to build a strong rural Queensland with sustainable, liveable and prosperous communities.

“Now one year on, the blueprint is a comprehensive strategy comprising 170 initiatives and a solid investment in service rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Shine said.

“The Queensland Government is pleased to support the Country Week Expo because this form of face-to-face marketing is a valuable way to address issues such as skills shortages and genuine investment in country Queensland.

“Regional areas offer professional and skilled tradespeople, as well as business and lifestyle opportunities that are arguably second to none,” Mr Shine said.

A jobs bulletin board at the Expo will highlight the richness of employment

The Expo will run from 10am to 4pm daily. For Expo information, please visit www.countryweek.com.au

6 July 2007
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350