Gracemere hosting Central Queensland Regional Community Forum  

Published Monday, 28 August, 2023 at 10:15 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement
The Honourable Mick de Brenni

Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans’ Affairs and the Public Sector
Mr Bart Mellish

Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure
Ms Brittany Lauga

  • The third Central Queensland Regional Community Forum of 2023 

  • Q2032 Procurement Strategy supporting regional Queensland 

  • Thousands of businesses across the region could benefit  

Housing affordability and accessibility, infrastructure and service delivery, workforce attraction and retention, education, training and employment pathways, and the Q2032 Procurement Strategy will be part of the conversation for the members of the Central Queensland Regional Community Forum who meet at Gracemere on Monday.  

Forum members, including Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni, will tour Stanwell Power Station, confirming Central Queensland’s status as an energy hub. 

There will be a question-and-answer session on housing, and presentations to the members include the Q2032 Procurement Strategy whereby Queensland-based businesses will be prioritised to share in an anticipated $180 billion in government procurement from now until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

Two athletes from Rockhampton, one from Emerald have so far been discovered by the YouFor2032 talent identification program 

It’s expected that around 50 per cent of international travellers visiting as a result of Brisbane 2032 will disperse to Queensland’s regions, stimulating a significant increase in overnight-visitor expenditure. 

Quote attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni: 

“Central Queensland is an energy powerhouse, and this is a great opportunity to highlight the region’s clean energy and supply opportunities ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.” 

Quote attributable to the Central Queensland Co-Chair, Assistant Minister for Health Brittany Lauga: 

“The Central Queensland forum members have been working very hard to ensure the region is supported into the future, and I thank them for their time and support.” 

Quote attributable to the Central Queensland Co-Chair, State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke: 

“The advice and knowledge of the forum members continues to pay dividends for Central Queensland, and I would like to thank them for their considerable efforts. 

Quote attributable to the Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans’ Affairs and the Public Sector Bart Mellish: 

“The Palaszczuk government is working alongside the forum members to support businesses, to grow job opportunities and to meet the priorities for a brighter and more exciting future.”  

Quote attributable to Central Queensland Regional Community Forum member Dan Smith:  

“The opportunity to contribute and participate in healthy debate and real robust discussion with elected representatives and government agency representatives has been valuable.”  

Successful outcomes: 

Outcomes delivered by the forum members include: 

  • successfully implementing the Business Ignite program in Biloela, supporting businesses to innovate and grow. 

  • raising the need for additional housing supply leading to a legacy housing project.  

  • a collaborative project aimed at transitioning workforce to new and emerging industries and skills.  

  • advocating for industry participation in high schools to bring industry experience into the classroom, and 

  • developing school to work transition through coordinated visits for teachers to businesses and industries. 

Further Background 

  • The forum is co-chaired by the Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga and the Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke. 

  • The Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni, and the Assistant Minister to the Premier for Veterans’ Affairs and the Public Sector Bart Mellish are also attending.  

  • The Central Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Darling Downs South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, North and North West Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, Western Queensland, and Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast.   

  • One more round of Regional Community Forums is scheduled for 2023.  

  • The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.  

ENDS 

Media contact –  Andrew Churchill - 0457 600 237