Agnes Water welcomes second round of 2022 Regional Community Forums

Six weeks after the first round of Regional Community Forums for 2022, Central Queensland residents will again meet with Ministers and MPs in Agnes Water tomorrow to expand on their priorities and accelerate action for the region.   

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the next steps for the Central Queensland forum were crucial for members to lead projects into the second half of 2022. 

“May began a new era with new members sharing their priorities for a region-specific action plan,” the Premier said.

“Forum members, Ministers and MPs have had six weeks to develop their ideas and identify opportunities for the continued growth, wellbeing and prosperity of Central Queensland.

“Since then we’ve released the biggest health and hospital building plan in Queensland history.

“And almost two-thirds of capital investment in the budget is allocated to the regions.

“So there’s a solid foundation for Ministers, MPs and community representatives to use tomorrow’s forum to plan for more good jobs, better services and a great Central Queensland lifestyle.”

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni and Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans' Affairs and COVID Economic Recovery Bart Mellish will join Central Queensland forum members in Agnes Water.

Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga and Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke will be co-chairs.

Tomorrow’s forum will begin with a site visit to the 1770 Marina, where members will receive a guided tour and presentation from 1770 LARC! Tours which will share its experience managing tourism through the pandemic, as well as current strategies for workforce retention in the region.

The agenda will also include a session on economic and social infrastructure development in the Central Queensland region, as well as a presentation from the Department of Energy and Public Works.

In setting a new agenda for the forums, Ms Lauga said forum members had chosen key priorities from more than 40 individual priority areas. 

“After reviewing all these issues, forum members agreed to focus their collective energy and engagement on four priority topics,” Ms Lauga said.

“Improving regional connectivity, developing a Regional Transition Plan, attracting and retaining a skilled workforce for the region, and enhancing education, training and employment pathways.”

Mr O’Rourke said forum members were returning to finalise a Central Queensland Local Action Plan in partnership with Government and stakeholders.

“At the last forum, attending Ministers recognised the major contribution of Central Queensland to the State’s economy, particularly through investment in renewable energy and the growing hydrogen sector,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Alongside these important investments, I know the forum program and the Local Action Plan will help guide the transition of the region’s economy and benefit the CQ community in the years ahead.”

The Central Queensland forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with other forums set for Far North Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Darling Downs-South West, North-North West Queensland, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast and Western 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.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister de Brenni - Andrew Churchill – 0457 600 237