Childers hosting Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum

• Fourth and final Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum of 2023
• Successful outcomes include improved career pathways for young people
• Expressions of Interest open for residents to participate in the 2024-25 forums

Potential career options for young people across the region have been improved as a result of the Queensland Government’s Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum, which meets for the last time for 2023 at Childers today.

Forum members advocated for a career and jobs expo in the region and worked with a range of stakeholders including the Queensland Government, Fraser Coast Jobs Committee, local schools, and Central Queensland University to deliver the North Burnett Community and Careers Expo at Gayndah on 24 October.

Education, training, and employment pathways are among the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum Action Plan, which also includes housing affordability and accessibility, regional workforce attraction and retention, economic diversification and Reconciliation and Path to Treaty.  

Forum members will visit the Isis Central Sugar Mill, which is turning agricultural waste into profit.  

Presentations include current and future opportunities for Childers and neighbouring communities, Queensland’s $89 billion Big Build, and a reflection on the forum’s achievements.    

Quote attributable to the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Yvette D’Ath:

“Thank you to the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast forum members for two years of wonderful advice and insights which have supported communities across the region.”

Quote attributable to the Co-Chair of the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum, Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads Bruce Saunders:

“The Wide Bay Burnett forum members have worked very hard for two years and the outcomes we are seeing demonstrate the value of their input – thank you.”

Quote attributable to the Co-Chair of the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum, Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:

“Thank you to the forum members for their great support for the past two years and I hope residents across the region apply to carry on with their outstanding work.”  

Quote attributable to the Co-Chair of the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum, Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari:

“It is a pleasure being part of the forum because the forum members are driven to deliver a brighter future for the region – thank to everyone involved.”

Quote attributable to Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Forum member and lead organiser of the North Burnett Community and Careers Expo, Kylie Jackson:  

“The expo was a great opportunity to see local youth and community explore career and training options that are locally based and locally driven, and with 15 exhibitors present and more than 60 visitors through, it was a great example of what can happen through the Regional Community Forums.

Quote attributable to Gayndah resident, 19-year-old jobseeker Aiden Frank:

“It was wonderful to come to this event (the expo) and find so many contacts and opportunities for myself that I didn’t know existed.

“The leads I have gained are endless, so thank you to organisers and exhibitors for their information and guidance – I look forward to where this all takes me.”

Background

The forum is the eighth and last for the 2022-23 members. Expressions of Interest for Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast residents who would like to participate in the 2024-25 series of forums can be made at Regional Community Forums | About Queensland and its government | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Forum member Ms Kylie Jackson is available for interview – please email media@premiers.qld.gov.au.

• The forum is co-chaired by Bruce Saunders MP, Tom Smith MP, and Adrian Tantari MP.
• Attorney-General Yvette D’ath is also attending.
• The Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, North and North West Queensland, and Western Queensland.   
• The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.

ENDS