Published Friday, 10 October, 2008 at 06:29 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Tnvlle helps shape Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland: Bligh
Townsville-based fruit processor the Bestlan Group’s efforts gaining global use of its product in bakery goods, confectionery and ice cream is an example of the thinking guaranteeing Queensland’s future, Premier Anna Bligh told a community forum this evening.
“Bestlan's innovative processes offers suppliers products that can be packaged, stored and transported easily, ensuring their global use,” she said.
Tonight’s forum is one of 30 being held across the State. So far more about 2600 people have attended and have offered their ideas.
Forum locations have included; the Gold Coast, Longreach, Cairns, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Thursday Island and Rockhampton.
In her Towards Q2 forum opening address Ms Bligh, flanked by NQ Members Mike Reynolds (Townsville), Lindy Nelson-Carr (Mundingburra) and Craig Wallace (Thuringowa), also praised Townsville residents for participation in the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program.
“Townsville provides a great example of a community reducing its carbon footprint.”
“The program trials a range of initiatives to reduce wasteful energy consumption, increase solar energy usage and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes,” she said.
She also cited Gough Plastics, a local family owned company, for its efforts in the development of environmentally-friendly plastic products; such as the modular roadway system to support traffic access in easily damaged and fragile terrain.
“Queensland has grown remarkably over recent years, but we must act now if we are to take the next leap forward. We need innovation and innovators,” Ms Bligh said.
“Challenges such as unhealthy lifestyles, preventable disease, population growth, and global competition have the potential to damage our quality of life.
The Towards Q2 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,” she said.
The targets by 2020 are:
Strong Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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%
Ms Bligh said these priorities would drive the Governments program of action over the next 12 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
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
“Bestlan's innovative processes offers suppliers products that can be packaged, stored and transported easily, ensuring their global use,” she said.
Tonight’s forum is one of 30 being held across the State. So far more about 2600 people have attended and have offered their ideas.
Forum locations have included; the Gold Coast, Longreach, Cairns, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Thursday Island and Rockhampton.
In her Towards Q2 forum opening address Ms Bligh, flanked by NQ Members Mike Reynolds (Townsville), Lindy Nelson-Carr (Mundingburra) and Craig Wallace (Thuringowa), also praised Townsville residents for participation in the Australian Government’s Solar Cities program.
“Townsville provides a great example of a community reducing its carbon footprint.”
“The program trials a range of initiatives to reduce wasteful energy consumption, increase solar energy usage and cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes,” she said.
She also cited Gough Plastics, a local family owned company, for its efforts in the development of environmentally-friendly plastic products; such as the modular roadway system to support traffic access in easily damaged and fragile terrain.
“Queensland has grown remarkably over recent years, but we must act now if we are to take the next leap forward. We need innovation and innovators,” Ms Bligh said.
“Challenges such as unhealthy lifestyles, preventable disease, population growth, and global competition have the potential to damage our quality of life.
The Towards Q2 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,” she said.
The targets by 2020 are:
Strong Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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 Queensland – 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%
Ms Bligh said these priorities would drive the Governments program of action over the next 12 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
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500