Generating opportunities out of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will be on the agenda in Hughenden today, as members gather for a fourth and final North North-West Queensland Regional Community Forum for 2022.
The latest North North-West Queensland Regional Community Forum will include presentations on the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan and enhancing integration of local mental health services.
Forum members will also visit the Kennedy Energy Park – a world first wind, solar and energy storage facility in the Flinders Shire. The site takes advantage of the complementary nature of wind and solar at this location, generating a reliable energy supply to the grid.
Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer and Assistant Minister for Treasury Charis Mullen will attend today's Forum in Hughenden.
Member for Mundingburra Les Walker will also attend.
Mr Walker thanked Regional Community Forum members for their contributions throughout the year.
"We're grateful for all the work undertaken at and between this year's Forums, and I'm pleased to see real, positive outcomes for the broader community in North North-West Queensland," Mr Walker said.
"A highlight in 2022 has been Forum members partnering with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to resolve access to the School Transport Assistance Scheme for local families.
"Thanks to the advocacy of our Forum members, continued support is being provided to ensure students in-need have access to the School of Distance Education."
As outlined in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, Minister Farmer said the region had major potential as a hub for renewable energy development.
"With existing supply chain infrastructure – including a port and railway – North North-West Queensland is well-positioned to be a clean industrial hub, in our state's renewable revolution," Minister Farmer said.
"Exports of green hydrogen – leveraging the region's proximity to high-quality renewable resources – could deliver enormous benefits in the years to come.
"And we are getting ready – building a highly skilled workforce, by investing $10.6 million in a hydrogen and renewable energy training facility at Bohle TAFE in Townsville."
The North North-West Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across Queensland tomorrow, with other Forums set for Far North Queensland, Western Queensland, Central Queensland, Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast, Darling Downs South West and the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region.
The Regional Community Forums are part of the Queensland Government's Advancing Queensland's Regions strategy, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
