Next chapter of community forums in Darling Downs-South West

Ministers and MPs will meet tomorrow with a group of committed Darling Downs-South West locals in Toowoomba, as part of a new round of Regional Community Forums. 

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said new membership for the forums in 2022 would continue the diversity of experience, ideas and interests in regional Queensland.

“Listening to communities is the hallmark of good government, and we work best when we work together,” the Premier said.

“Since 2019, our Regional Community Forums have helped to strengthen partnerships in rural and regional areas, collaborating on local solutions and local innovations for local issues.

“Darling Downs-South West forum members have experience across the region in youth mentoring, education and training, agribusiness, biotechnology, indigenous health, and small business.

“I welcome all new and returning members, and look forward to hearing about priorities and actions from the first round of forums for 2022.”

Toowoomba will host Darling Downs-South West forum members with Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing Grace Grace and Assistant Minister for Hydrogen Development and the 50% Renewable Energy Target by 2030 Lance McCallum.

Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard and Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden will co-chair the forum.

Today’s agenda will recap and confirm areas of interest, and begin the development of a new region-specific action plan, guided by the priorities of forum members.

There will also be a session on the recent Queensland Workforce Summit.

Ms Howard welcomed new and returning members of the Darling Downs-South West forum.

“Taking part in our Regional Community Forums program is an incredible opportunity for passionate community members to liaise directly with Government Ministers and their local representatives,” Ms Howard said.

“In previous forums, members have explored solutions to support small business, attract skilled staff to the region, and enhance access to training and education.

“Today is the first step in an exciting journey for new forum members, who will form new partnerships and develop an action plan to meet the needs and expectations of this region.”  

Mr Madden said he was proud of what the forums had achieved to date.

“Over the last two and a half years, forum members have worked closely to respond to labour shortages and identify key liveability factors, to improve quality of life across this region,” Mr Madden said.

“Working together, they have created and driven initiatives to grow regional mentoring opportunities, encourage investment in local industries, and support volunteers operating tourism events in the Darling Downs-South West.

“As we unite, reopen and recover from COVID-19, now is the time for the forum to hear from new voices and ensure this region is best placed to capitalise on the opportunities before us.”

Regional Community Forums will also be held tomorrow in Cairns (Far North Queensland), Townsville (North-North West Queensland), Mackay (Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday), Longreach (Western Queensland), Rockhampton (Central Queensland) and Bundaberg (Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast).

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.

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister Grace – Kate Talbot 0439 803 211