Maryborough welcomes second round of 2022 Regional Community Forums

Six weeks after the first round of Regional Community Forums for 2022, Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast residents will again meet with Ministers and MPs in Maryborough tomorrow to expand on their priorities and accelerate action for the region.   

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the next steps for the Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast 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 this region.

“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 regional lifestyle.”

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman and Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher will join Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast forum members in Maryborough.

Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders, Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith and Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari will co-chair the forum.

Tomorrow’s forum will start with a guided walking tour of significant Maryborough sites, including the Gallipoli to Armistice ANZAC Memorial, Cistern Chapel, The Story Bank and Gatakers Artspace.

The agenda includes a panel discussion on housing and homelessness, and a presentation from the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy.

In developing a new Action Plan for the region, Mr Saunders said forum members had explored a broad range of issues.

“Forum members identified a number of priorities across the region – from housing to tourism marketing, support for young people, access to health services and skills development,” Mr Saunders said. 

“Together, members agreed to focus on three key priorities for the Action Plan, falling under the themes of livability, workforce/skills development, and youth career and employment pathways.”

Mr Smith thanked forum members for connecting and continuing discussions between forums. 

“Since the forum program began in 2019, it’s brought people together across industries and communities, sparking new friendships and encouraging productive partnerships,” Mr Smith said.

“With a new Action Plan on the table, and new members joining in, I look forward to seeing how these forums influence and inspire our region in the years ahead.”

Mr Tantari said the forum was also an opportunity for Ministers and local MPs to share how this year’s State Budget will benefit the region.

“The Budget Regional Action Plan is a great resource for members, as it details the overall and specific investments we are making in the region,” Mr Tantari said.

“The 2022-23 budget includes a $1.2 billion infrastructure investment for the region, estimated to support 3,900 local jobs.”

The Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with other forums set for Far North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs-South West, North-North West Queensland, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday 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 Fentiman – Inga Williams 0439 949 719

Minister Butcher – Emilia Hutchinson 0437 060 435