Gympie Regional Community Forum tomorrow

Gympie tomorrow (Sep 27) will host the third Regional Community Forum for the Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast region for 2021, with 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 Gympie tomorrow for the seventh forum for the Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast 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.”

Gympie will host Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast forum members, with Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath, Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.

The forum will be chaired by Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders, Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith.

“After the first Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast forum in 2019 highlighted a need for agricultural apprenticeships, forum members created the Monto Agricultural Traineeship Pilot Sub-group, for a more modern approach to agricultural traineeships,” the Premier said.

“And identifying the need to retain young people in the region, forum members have partnered with government and local universities on a toolkit to support businesses interested in employing students undertaking university study.

“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.”

Mr Tantari said he welcomed the continued focus on the region, following last week’s Community Cabinet in Hervey Bay. 

“Every gathering of Ministers, MPs and stakeholders is an opportunity to discuss the enormous potential of our region – from agriculture and manufacturing to renewable energy and tourism,” Mr Tantari said.  

“Previous forums have showcased the ability of local businesses to adapt and innovate – whether it be Plenty Foods in Kingaroy using new technology to produce high-quality cold-pressed oils, or the Bundaberg Rum Distillery donating ethanol for hand sanitiser during COVID. 

“I know this forum will continue to capture the true diversity of our region, while championing hard-working local business and producers.”

Forum members will visit the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum, to view artefacts and learn more about the region’s early contribution to Queensland industry and prosperity.  

The forum will discuss the progress of the Forest Wind clean energy infrastructure project and community mental health responses, alongside presentations from Construction Skills Queensland and 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, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Central Queensland 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 D’Ath: Martin Philip 0407 675 008

Minister Bailey: Joe Ogilvie 0423 184 412