TRANSPORT THE FOCUS OF BEENLEIGH COMMUNITY FORUM

Coordinated transport was discussed in Beenleigh today as part of the Queensland Government’s Ministerial Regional Community Forum.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson and Minister for Education, Training and Arts Rod Welford met local community representatives, known as forum members, to exchange information and share ideas.

Forum members presented a proposal to establish a system of delivering door-to-door transport services, including community transport, patient transport and flexible bus services.

Minister for Communities Lindy Nelson-Carr said the relevant State Government departments would now review the proposal and report back at the next forum held in the region.

“I want to thank the community and especially forum members for getting involved,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

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

“Today the Government also reported back on issues raised at a previous forum concerning funding for the Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy.”

Also discussed was the progress of proposed allocations of land for mental health and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities in Coomera.

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

Forum member contact details and more information about the forum process can be obtained from the Department of Communities on 5583 4400.

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

·Boyne Island

·Charters Towers

·Chermside

·Collinsville

·Gatton

·Highfields

·Nambour

·Thursday Island

·Wondai

Media contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280