Energy sparks next Regional Forum tomorrow in Longreach

Capturing the benefits of Queensland’s renewable energy will be on the agenda tomorrow in Longreach, at the third Western Queensland Regional Community Forum for 2022.

Leading up to this week’s major energy announcement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the forum would discuss ideas on sustainably powering the state into the future.

“Regional Queensland plays a big role in renewable energy, to drive down power bills and ease the cost of living,” the Premier said.

“Western Queensland forum members get to be part of this, helping to unlock investment in good clean energy jobs, better services, and helping to protect our great lifestyle in regional Queensland.

“During this third round of forums for 2022, forum members will visit sites that will help support further regional investment, and drive future energy security.”

First Nations tourism, and vocational skills and training will also be discussed in Longreach tomorrow.

“Regional Forums are about strengthening our Government’s partnership with regional Queensland and a greater opportunity to influence government decision-making,” the Premier said.

“Forum action plans which address the social and economic priorities of Western Queensland will be tabled tomorrow.

“I thank forum members for all the work they’ve been doing between forums and for the valuable contribution I know they’ll provide during this third round of forums tomorrow.”

Minister for Communities and Housing, Minister for Digital Economy and Minister for the Arts Leanne Enoch and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey will join Western Queensland forum members in Longreach.

Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd will again chair the forum.

Tomorrow’s forum will begin with site visits to the Ergon Pole Yard and the Yurika Queensland Electric Super Highway Charging Station.

The forum agenda also includes presentations on First Nations tourism opportunities and vocational training, skills and education opportunities and Queensland Government support available in these sectors.

Ms Boyd said the last forum discussions had centred around similar topics as well as local housing and health and wellbeing opportunities and challenges.

“Discussions across all forum rounds have provided the foundations for the development of the Western Queensland forum action plan,” Ms Boyd said.

“Over the past two months forum members have been finalising their plan and kickstarting some of the initiatives outlined.

“The third forum for 2022 will allow working groups to provide an update on their work to bring the forum action plan to life in partnership with the Queensland Government.”

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

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: Advancing Queensland’s Regions

ENDS

Media contact – Courtney Thompson 0433 585 570