- $8 million invested in Longreach Hospital
- $7 million establishing the Barcaldine Renewable Energy Zone
- $13.8 million for the replacement police facility at Longreach
Regional infrastructure, workforce attraction and retention, education, training and employment pathways, and housing accessibility and affordability are among the priorities for the members of the Western Queensland Regional Community Forum who meet in Muttaburra on Monday.
Health services are a priority for the Palaszczuk Government, which is why $8 million is being invested in Longreach Hospital, and presentations to the forum members include HEALTHQ32, the Palaszczuk Government's 10-year vision for the future of healthcare in Queensland, announced in May.
There will be a regional-specific update on the Queensland Vocational Education and Training (VET) Strategy, which is a key action under the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.
The forum includes a site visit to the Muttaburra Interpretation Centre, focusing on the paleontological tourism which is a significant contributor to the cultural and economic strength of the region.
Quotes attributable to the Western Queensland Chair, Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd:
"The Palaszczuk government is proud to support Western Queensland through the regional community forums alongside the forum members who provide valuable advice throughout the year.
"I'd like to thank the forum members for their dedication and hard work as we work together to improve the communities throughout Western Queensland."
Quote attributable to the Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch:
"We're proud to continue to support the communities of Western Queensland and it is great to be in Muttaburra for the latest in our regional community forums.
"Local communities are supported by a group of residents who are committed to driving the region forward and delivering great outcomes through the regional community forums."
Quote attributable to Western Queensland Forum member Simon Kuttner:
"The forum is an opportunity to hear directly from policy makers about the important work they do, and to support decision-making at a regional level. We're seeing evidence now that discussions we've had at the forums have had an influence on initiatives in our region."
Further investment in Western Queensland:
- $45 million towards strengthening and widening the pavement on the Capricorn Highway between Alpha and Emerald, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government
- $1.3 million for the Boulia Shire Staff Housing Project
Success story:
The Queensland Government has listened to the Isolated Children's Parents' Association and families in isolated regions, such as communities in Western Queensland, will receive an additional $4,000 from 2024 to assist with the cost of education. The Remote Area Tuition Allowance boost will ease cost of living pressures faced by isolated Queensland families, by helping with the costs of children required to live away from home to attend school.
Further Background:
- The forum is chaired by the Assistant Minister for Local Government Nikki Boyd.
- The Minister for Treaty, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Minister for Communities and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch, and the Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads Bruce Saunders are also attending.
- The Western Queensland 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 Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast.
- This is the second meeting of the forum members in 2023, with two more Regional Community Forums scheduled throughout the year.
- The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.
