Mount Isa hosting North and North West Regional Community Forum  

Published Monday, 28 August, 2023 at 10:21 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice
The Honourable Di Farmer

Minister for Resources
The Honourable Scott Stewart

Assistant Minister for Treasury
Mrs Charis Mullen

  • The third North and North West Queensland Regional Community Forum of 2023  

  • Q2032 Procurement Strategy supporting regional Queensland 

  • Thousands of businesses across the region could benefit 

Housing, workforce attraction and retention, education, the North West Minerals Province, and the Q2032 Procurement Strategy will be part of the conversation at the North and North West Queensland Regional Community Forum meeting at Mount Isa on Monday.  

Forum members have the opportunity to visit the John Cambell Miles Drill Core Facility, Hard Times Mine and Mount Isa Underground Hospital and Museum tourism attractions. 

Presentations to forum members include North West Hospital and Health Service attraction and retention strategies, North West Minerals Province economic diversification and Gulf flood disaster support.  

There will also be a presentation about the Q2032 Procurement Strategy. Under the strategy, 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.  

Townsville will host Olympic football matches during Brisbane 2032, and athletes will be accommodated locally.  

And four young Townsville athletes 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. 

The Forum follows a visit by the Premier this month, which included meetings with the Mayor, council and Allen Bailie, the region’s new Youth Justice Coordinator.  

The Premier announced new funding for the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo – the biggest rodeo in the Southern Hemisphere.  

 Quote attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer: 

“The forum continues to drive the region forward thanks to the valuable advice from the members and I thank them for such great work.” 

Quote attributable to the Minister for Resources Scott Stewart: 

“North and North West Queensland is at the heart of our critical minerals future and the valuable insights of the forum members mean as a government we can invest in ways that support an exciting future for the region.” 

 Quote attributable to the North and North West Queensland Regional Community Forum Co-Chair, State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper: 

“These forums are important in continuing the conversation between the Palaszczuk government and the local community so that we address the priorities and take advantage of the opportunities which will support the region today and into the future.” 

Quote attributable to the North and North West Queensland Regional Community Forum Co-Chair, State Member for Mundingburra Les Walker: 

“There are so many opportunities for the North and North West Queensland region like Copperstring 2032 and critical mineral development, and these forum ensure the Palaszczuk government continues to deliver the right investment in the right places at the right time.” 

 Quote attributable to the Assistant Minister for Treasury Charis Mullen:  

“Thanks to the members participating in the forum, the regional communities can look forward to a great future with exciting opportunities.” 

 Successful outcomes: 

Outcomes delivered by the forum members include: 

  • supporting remote communities in grant writing capabilities to secure better access to funding for projects.   

  • supporting families in smaller communities through improved access to the Student Transport Assistance Scheme, and   

  • shaping the design of the renewable energy skills training programs.  

 Further Background: 

  • The forum is co-chaired by the State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper, and the State Member for Mundingburra Les Walker.  

  • The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice Di Farmer, and the Minister for Resources Scott Stewart, and the Assistant Minister for Treasury Charis Mullen are also attending.  

  • The North and North West Queensland 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, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, 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 –  Bernadette Condren - 0417 296 116