Queensland's first Regional Cabinet of 2023 will be held in Maryborough tomorrow – showcasing the investment, innovation, and opportunities abundant across the Wide Bay region.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was excited to bring Cabinet to one of Queensland's most dynamic and historic regional centres.
"It's fitting that the city which gave us Mary Poppins scribe P.L. Travers is brimming with a magic all it's own – and like Mary, there's more to Maryborough than meets the eye," the Premier said.
"Behind the heritage-listed buildings, it's a powerhouse of industry – supporting everything from timber, to train manufacturing and renewable energy – and a thriving cultural and creative hub, boasting a colourful mural trail, museums and galleries.
"Ahead of the first Parliamentary sitting of the new year, I'm delighted to host Regional Cabinet in wonderful Maryborough."
The Premier said her Government was committed to delivering good jobs, better services, and supporting a great lifestyle, to help Maryborough and the Wide Bay region grow and prosper.
"We're bringing train manufacturing back to Maryborough, with our $7 billion Train Manufacturing Program that will see 65 trains built in Maryborough – supporting up to 800 long term construction and manufacturing jobs, and continuing the long tradition of rail manufacturing in the city," the Premier said.
"We're improving network performance out of Energy Queensland's Maryborough depot, and making important upgrades to Maryborough Hospital.
"A few weeks ago, we officially opened the $103 million Saltwater Creek upgrade near Aldershot – a crucial piece of flood mitigation work along the Bruce Highway.
"We're building new school halls in Hervey Bay.
"And in Bundaberg, later this year, we'll start early works on the $1.2 billion Paradise Dam rebuild – supporting more than 250 jobs during construction, and providing long-term water security for local residents and growers."
The meeting will be the first Community Cabinet held in the Wide Bay region since September 2021, and the first Cabinet meeting in Maryborough since September 2017.
Member for Maryborough and Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads Bruce Saunders said he looked forward to welcoming Ministers back to the region.
"It's no secret that I'm enormously proud to represent the Maryborough electorate, and advocate for this hard-working regional community," Mr Saunders.
"This is a unique opportunity for the entire Cabinet to focus just on Maryborough and the Wide Bay region to create jobs, strengthen our economy, preserve our local environment, and provide better support for our region."
