- Crisafulli Government has held the third Community Cabinet of 2025 in Emerald to hear about the concerns of regional Queenslanders.
- Premier David Crisafulli and Ministers met community members to help shape the future for the region.
- Local road upgrades, new social housing and employment training among announcements made during Cabinet visit.
The Crisafulli Government has held a successful Community Cabinet at Emerald with improved community safety, health, housing and greater connectivity high on the agenda.
More than 150 people attended the event on Sunday, as Premier David Crisafulli and Ministers met with residents, community leaders, businesses and stakeholders to discuss local priorities.
The event was the first Community Cabinet held in Emerald since 2013, with the Crisafulli Government backing regional Queensland and giving communities a voice after being ignored by Labor for too long.
Ministers held 77 deputation meetings with locals with a range of topics discussed, including jobs, housing, infrastructure, the beef industry, biosecurity, small businesses, education and the regional road network.
The Crisafulli Government also made several key announcements while in Emerald, including the new $100 million Country Roads Connect Program, with the Wyntoon-Springton Road named as one of 22 regional roads to receive funding.
This will boost road safety, improve dependable access to shops, schools, services, and communities, and enable producers and businesses across the Central Highlands region to boost economic development.
Greater energy stability will also be delivered for local communities and businesses with construction of Energy Queensland's local electricity network-connected battery now complete.
The new 4MW/8MW battery will store excess electricity produced by local rooftop solar generation, with 2,620 customers – around 28 per cent of the community – having installed solar panels in Emerald.
The second round of Skilling Queenslanders for Work applications was announced at the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre, which is currently delivering a Get Set for Work project aimed at disengaged youth.
The Crisafulli Government's focus on tackling Labor's Housing Crisis was also clear, with the announcement that Emerald's most significant social housing project will be built on School Lane.
The 18 new social homes are set to reduce the social housing register in the Central Highlands region by almost a third once completed in early 2027.
Premier David Crisafulli said Community Cabinet was an opportunity to meet with the community about how the Government is delivering for Emerald.
"We're working hard to deliver safety where you live, health services when you need them and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, and hearing from Emerald locals is key to getting it right," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Thank you to those who took the time to share their ideas to help ensure we shape a better future and deliver the fresh start we promised for this region."
The Crisafulli Government has also held Community Cabinets this year in Cairns in March and Townsville in May.
