Mining and Energy Focus at Highfields Community Forum

Mining and energy development in the Surat Basin were among issues discussed at Highfields during today’s Queensland Government’s Ministerial Regional Community Forum.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Main Roads and Local Government Ronan Lee met local community representatives, known as forum members, to exchange information and share ideas.

Forum members presented a proposal to address issues relevant to mining and energy development in the Surat Basin.

The Minister for Communities Lindy Nelson-Carr said the relevant Government departments would now review the proposal and report back to the next regional forum.

“I want to thank the community, and in particular the forum members, for taking part,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“These forums organised by the Department of Communities aim to help Government better understand the needs of regional Queenslanders,” she said.

Today the Government also reported back on an issue that was raised at a previous forum, concerning improving access to funding for rural and regional communities.

Ms Nelson-Carr encouraged people to get in touch with their local forum members to suggest issues for consideration at the next forum on 20 November.

Forum member contact details and information about the forum process are available from the Department of Communities in Toowoomba on 4694 0182.

Forum events were run simultaneously today in nine other regional areas:

·Beenleigh

·Boyne Island

·Charters Towers

·Chermside

·Collinsville

·Gatton

·Nambour

·Thursday Island

·Wondai

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280.