Ilfracombe Regional Community Forum tomorrow

Ilfracombe tomorrow (Sep 27) will host the third Regional Community Forum for the Western Queensland 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 Ilfracombe tomorrow for the seventh forum for the Western Queensland 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.”

Ilfracombe will host Western Queensland forum members, with Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner, Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water Glenn Butcher.

The forum will be chaired by Assistant Minister for Local Government and Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd.

“Since 2019, to assist regional tourism operators, Western Queensland forum members collaborated with local governments to develop a video celebrating the Outback and promoting the livability of the region,” the Premier said.

“And working with the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland, they have boosted awareness of the resources and financial support available to small businesses in the region, increasing the number of grant applications from Western Queensland.

“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 Boyd said the wide-ranging forum reflected not only the diversity of industry in the region, but the interests and expertise of forum members.

“Over the last two years, Ministers and Members of Parliament have greatly benefited from their open and transparent discussions with passionate locals, invested in the future of their region,” Ms Boyd said.

“Farmers, small business owners, tourism operators, health professionals, and youth workers have all contributed to the evolution of Government priorities and policy.

“Working across sectors and skill-sets, I know the Western Queensland community will continue to reap the benefits of the partnerships and actions the forums have inspired.”

The Queensland Chief Entrepreneur will present at the forum, and the agenda will also explore the Western Queensland Housing Strategy and Action Plan and accessibility to health services.  

Forum members will be invited to attend a viewing of a recent work by well-known metal sculptor Milynda Rogers – a 1.9 metre statue of hometown hero and North Queensland Cowboys champion Matt Scott.

Regional Community Forums will also be held in Far North Queensland, North-North West Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Central eensland, 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 contacts:

Minister Furner – Ron Goodman 0427 781 920

Minister Butcher - Daniel Lato 0438 891 158