Bowen hosting Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum  

Published Monday, 28 August, 2023 at 10:19 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Mark Ryan

Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Assistant Minister for Education
Mrs Julieanne Gilbert

  • The third Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum of 2023 

  • Q2032 Procurement Strategy supporting regional Queensland 

  • Thousands of businesses across the region could benefit 

Housing availability and affordability, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, workforce attraction and retention, and the Q2032 Procurement Strategy will be part of the conversation at the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum meeting at Bowen on Monday.  

Forum members will visit Coral Coast Barramundi Farm, which is at the forefront of sustainable farming practises supporting Australia’s aquaculture environment.   

Presentations to the members include ADITS Group discussing digital literacy and connectivity for reginal Queensland, TAFE Queensland providing a snapshot of the Agriculture Centre of Excellence, and the Queensland Police Service discussing recruitment.  

There will also be a presentation about 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.  

Three young local athletes have so far been discovered by the YouFor2032 talent identification program. 

It’s expected that around 50 per cent of international travelers 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 Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan: 

“The Palaszczuk government continues to support the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region, and our Q2032 Procurement Strategy ensures billions of dollars are available to support businesses, creating job opportunities and a brighter future.”  

Quote attributable to the Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch: 

“It is wonderful to be in Bowen for our Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Queensland Regional Community Forums. The forum continues to be guided by the excellent advice of the community members who are committed to driving the region forward.” 

Quote attributable to the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum Chair, Assistant Minister for Education Julieanne Gilbert: 

“The forum members continue to help the Palaszczuk government to drive the region forward, and I thank them for their work as we make a difference together.” 

Quote attributable to Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Forum member Carl Walker: 

“The forums provide an opportunity to represent the voices of our communities to government, and in return it enables our communities to contribute to effective input ensuring regional and rural Queensland is included in government’s priorities, planning, and decision making.” 

Successful outcomes: 

Outcomes delivered by Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum members include: 

  • supporting the development of a tourism strategy for the Isaac region, including social hiking and adventuring opportunities   

  • identifying pathways for building community resilience, and   

  • receiving regular regional data and statistics to inform future decision making for the region.  

Further Background 

  • The Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Regional Community Forum is chaired by the Assistant Minister for Education Julieanne Gilbert. 

  • The Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan and Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts are also attending.  

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

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

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

ENDS 

Media contact –  Nicola Field - 0497 940 285