Central West helps shape Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland

Longreach’s Outback Aussie Tours - a local business offering tours incorporating research and education in indigenous and pastoral history is an example of the innovate thinking needed for Queensland’s future, Acting Premier Paul Lucas said today.

The Acting Premier, speaking at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame - venue for the State Government’s third Toward Q2 Forum, also highlighted the Windorah community as a great example of a community reducing its carbon footprint.

“Windorah will soon be the first town in Queensland to use solar power for all of its daytime electricity.

“Here (Hall of Fame) we are surrounded by memories of the past as we set about planning and preparing for Queensland to have a stronger, greener, smarter, healthier and fairer future,” he said.

Today’s Toward Q2 community forum is one of 30 being held across the State. It follows Monday night at the Gold Coast and Tuesday night at Strathpine where more than 500 people have offered their ideas.

The Bligh Government’s Towards Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland outlines the Government’s plans and priorities for the future.

“Queensland has grown remarkably over recent years, but we must act now if we are to take the next leap forward,” Mr Lucas said.

“Challenges such as unhealthy lifestyles, preventable disease, population growth, and global competition have the potential to destroy our quality of life.

Mr Lucas said the blueprint outlined specific targets for 2020 under five broad headings – strong, green, smart, healthy and fair.

“There is no doubt the targets are ambitious, but if we can do it they will improve our day-to-day lives, our community, our environment and our economy,” he said.

The targets by 2020 are:

Strong – Creating a diverse economy powered by bright ideas

• Building Australia’s strongest economy with infrastructure that anticipates growth
• Increasing by 50% the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking R&D

Green – Protecting our lifestyle and environment

• Cutting Queenslanders carbon footprint by one third with reduced car and 
  electricity use
• Protecting 50% more land for nature conservation and public recreation

Smart – Delivering world class education and training

• All children to have access to quality early childhood education so they are ready
   for school
• Three out of four Queenslanders to hold trade, training or tertiary qualifications

Healthy – Making Queenslanders Australia’s healthiest people

• Cut obesity, smoking, heavy drinking and unsafe sun exposure by one third
• Reduce public hospital waiting lists to the shortest in Australia

Fair – Supporting caring communities

• Halve the proportion of Queensland children living in households without a
   working parent
• Increase the proportion of Queenslanders involved in their communities by 50%

Mr Lucas said these priorities would drive the Governments program of action over the next twelve months.

“As a Government we cannot reach these targets alone.

“Everyone will need to play their part in goals such as leading healthier lifestyles and reducing our carbon footprint.”

"Q2 is the government's blueprint for the Queensland we love today - only better."

A report of all ideas submitted at the forum will be on the Q2 website,

www.TowardQ2.qld.gov.au