Tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and Queensland's ongoing economic recovery will be the focus for the seventh round of Regional Community Forums on Monday 27 September.
Almost two years since the inaugural round, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the program was delivering real outcomes for regional and rural Queenslanders, especially dealing with COVID.
"Since October 2019, our Regional Community Forums have been harnessing the experience and expertise of passionate locals, sparking new partnerships and ensuring their priorities are reflected in Government decision making," the Premier said.
Regional Community Forums are held periodically across locations in seven regional areas, hosted by local MPs and attended by Cabinet Ministers and invited community representatives.
The next round on Monday week will be in:
- Smithfield (Far North region)
- Ayr (North/North West region)
- Paget (Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday region)
- Ilfracombe (Western region)
- Mt Morgan (Central Queensland region)
- Gympie (Wide Bay/Burnett/Fraser Coast region)
- Crows Nest (Darling Downs/South West region)
The last round of forums in June looked at a broad range of issues impacting liveability and future prosperity – from housing and digital connectivity, to the diversification of agriculture and industry, regional tourism recovery, and the accessibility of education, skills and training.
"We are very proud of all that has been achieved in the past two years," Ms Palaszczuk said
"For example, the Wide Bay Burnett-Fraser Coast region forum spearheaded a project partnering with regional universities to create a pilot program for a modernised agricultural traineeship.
"The North-North West Regional Forum members focused on promoting local products and services, to support impacted small businesses through the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.
"And in Western Queensland, forum members working with the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland have supported their local communities to become more effective with grant applications, resulting in a significant improvement in the number of successful grants."
Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing Glenn Butcher said the next round would identify steps to future growth as the Palaszczuk Government continued to deliver Queensland's economic plan to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
"The diverse spectrum of representation at our forums has included Queenslanders from agricultural industries, small business, tourism bodies, schools and higher education institutions, health and disability services, Indigenous groups, and ex-service organisations," he said.
"This round – the third for 2021 – will be an opportunity to map a path forward, putting plans into action and growing regional economies to continue to deliver good, secure jobs.
"I know all attending Ministers are looking forward to reconnecting with forum members, while experiencing the hospitality, innovation, environment and culture of Queensland's diverse regions."
The Regional Community Forums are part of the Advancing Queensland's Regions strategy.
