Mt Isa helps shape Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland: Bligh

Mt Isa: Arilla Paper - an Indigenous business producing handmade paper from local grasses, spinifex, buffle grass and river gum trees, is an example the thinking guaranteeing Queensland’s future, Premier Anna Bligh told a community forum today.

“While Arilla Paper has a strong profile with tourists, it is also looking at a partnership for promotion with other boutique paper providers; there is also strong interest from American and European markets,” said the Premier.

Today’s Toward Q2 community forum is one of more than 30 being held across the State. So far more than 3200 people have attended and have offered their ideas.

Forum locations have included; the Gold Coast, Strathpine, Longreach, Cairns, Emerald, Hervey Bay and Thursday Island.

In her Towards Q2 forum opening address Ms Bligh today, flanked by Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan, also cited other North West innovators.

vNorth West Filter Washing is a leasehold machinery filter washing business servicing the existing mining, earthmoving and transport industries in Mount Isa. The business recycles air filters for trucks, heavy plant and equipment and mining vehicles, and is innovating in recycling filtration systems.

vOutback at Isa is an innovative tourism support business that supports local and regional tourist promotion, including fossil education at the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, the Outback Park and the Hard Times Mine, an underground mining tour experience. The business employs around seven full-time staff and approximately seven volunteers.

In citing the innovation examples Ms Bligh highlighted that they sat well with her Towards Q2 Tomorrow’s Queensland plans and priorities for the State’s future.

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