The third Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum of 2023
Q2032 Procurement Strategy supporting regional Queensland
Thousands of businesses across the region could benefit
Housing, health, education, training and employment pathways, infrastructure, economic diversification, and the Q2032 Procurement Strategy will be part of the conversation for the members of the Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum who meet at Charleville on Monday.
Forum members will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service operations base, and an agricultural showcase including a shearing demonstration and a presentation on agriculture, land management and conservation innovation.
Presentations to forum members include an overview on the Southern Queensland Rural Health Centre Clinical Training Facility, and the establishment of the South West Primary Health Alliance.
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.
Toowoomba will host Olympic football matches during Brisbane 2032, with Toowoomba Sports Ground to receive major upgrades in the years beforehand, helping attract additional events and associated tourism into the future.
And two athletes from Toowoomba, two from the Western Downs and one from Allora 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 Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing Grace Grace:
"Tomorrow's Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum will be centred around how the region can benefit from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"While in Charleville I look forward to visiting both Charleville State School and Charleville State High School, with almost $3 million in infrastructure projects underway.
"This includes a $150,000 playground upgrade at Charleville State School as part of the Palaszczuk Government's hugely popular playground and tuckshop upgrade program."
Quote attributable to the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner:
"The forum members continue to do great work supporting the region, and our ongoing conversations ensure we continue to head in the right direction supporting the needs of this wonderful community, with the Q2032 Procurement Strategy opening doors for local businesses."
Quote attributable to the Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum Chair, State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard:
"The Palaszczuk government is investing in an exciting future for Darling Downs South West Queensland, and I thank the forum members for their amazing work."
Quote attributable to the Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum Chair, State Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden:
"The forum members continue to give so much time to work with the Palaszczuk Government to ensure the region receives the right support where needed most."
Quote attributable to Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum member Tracy MacDonald:
"Our region thrives when we collaborate to address the unique needs of our residents, and this forum is a vital platform to synergize our efforts, ensuring that essential services, support, and resources reach every corner of our diverse communities."
Successful outcomes:
Outcomes delivered by the forum members include:
advocating for and facilitating a Parliamentary Committee virtual hearing to inform the Path to Treaty Bill 2023
working with the Queensland Government on future regional skills, training and job priorities, including shortages in childcare, and
working with stakeholders, Toowoomba Regional Council and other Queensland Government agencies to develop a proposal for a regional Youth Coordinator to support youth services in the region.
Further Background
The forum is co-chaired by the State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard MP and the State Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden MP.
The Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing Grace Grace, and the Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner are also attending.
The Darling Downs South 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, 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.
