Paget Regional Community Forum tomorrow

Paget tomorrow (Sep 27) will host the third Regional Community Forum for the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region for 2021, with local forum members, Ministers and Members of Parliament to discuss priorities and projects which will continue the state’s economic recovery.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s strong health response has allowed the recovery to begin, with vaccinations the key to continuing along that path.

“To help us do that, the focus of the forums is to support local economic development ideas, and opportunities to further diversify local economies, using connections between regional people and their representatives in Government,” the Premier said.

“Almost two years on from the launch of our Regional Community Forums, Ministers, Members of Parliament and regional stakeholders will be in Paget tomorrow for the seventh forum of the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region.

“Alongside discussions and panel sessions, these forums have given members the opportunity to visit local businesses, bear witness to innovative practices in regional industries, and hear directly from inspirational individuals, empowering regional and remote communities.

“We have been encouraged by all that the forums have delivered, helping us to stay safe and grow economically despite COVID-19.”

Paget will host Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday forum members, with Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman.

The forum will be chaired by Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure and Member for Mackay Julianne Gilbert.

“Since 2019, the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday forums have had a focus on local manufacturers and showcasing small business – including through site visits to Marto’s Mangoes in Bowen, and Tassal’s high quality and high-tech prawn farm in Proserpine,” the Premier said.

“And they have connected local TAFE with industry leaders, to support better engagement and the scoping of courses that fill existing skill gaps.

“I’m grateful for the energy, optimism and expertise that forum members bring to this program, and I look forward to the ideas and next steps identified in this seventh round of Regional Community Forums.”

Ms Gilbert said roundtable discussions tomorrow would examine skills and training opportunities, as well as progress from previous forums.

“With Government, training providers, business and the community working together, we are ensuring local people have the skills and qualifications they need to take on the high quality, high-skilled jobs of the future,” Ms Gilbert said.

“And as we diversify the local economy and lure more people to the region, the input of forum members is ensuring this Government meets service demand – particularly for mining communities, and for people seeking mental health support.

“I thank forum members for their contributions to date, to increase opportunity and enhance liveability in the region.”

The seventh Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday forum will include a tour of the purpose-built $46 million Trade Training Centre at CQUniversity’s Ooralea campus, which features purpose-built workshops for apprentices’ training.

Forum members will also be taken on a site tour of the underground mine simulated training and testing facility at the Resources Centre of Excellence, based in Paget.

And there will be guest speakers from CQUniversity, The Neighbourhood Hub, Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

Regional Community Forums will also be held in Far North Queensland, North-North West Queensland, Western Queensland, Central Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast and Darling Downs-South West Queensland.

The Regional Community Forums are part of the Queensland Government’s Advancing Queensland’s Regions strategy, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.

For more information about Advancing Queensland’s Regions, please visit   https://campaigns.premiers.qld.gov.au/advancing-qld-regions/

ENDS

Media contact: Minister Fentiman – Inga Williams 0439 949 719