The agenda for the first round of the 2023 Regional Community Forums, which will take place on Monday (20 March), will be focused on energy, jobs, and the Path to Treaty.
Major announcements, such as Copperstring 2032 and the Pioneer-Burdekin Pumped Hydro project, will be highlighted for potential job opportunities.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk stated that the Queensland Government pledged to listen to local communities and comprehend the needs of residents around the State.
“We’ve made incredible commitments to clean energy, Path to Treaty and in creating good jobs for the next generation. Queensland’s regions are the driving force behind the success of those plans,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
According to Minister for Regional Development and Manufacturing and Minister for Water Glenn Butcher, the Forums allow community members with specific experience and knowledge to participate in conversations that result in positive outcomes for their region.
“This year, the focus is on themes established by each region, including employment pathways, workforce attraction, housing, economic diversification and Reconciliation and Path to Treaty, and the members will continue to explore other avenues for growth,” Minister Butcher stated.
Minister Butcher added that the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan will stimulate discussion about the State’s clean energy future – a strategy that will benefit Queenslanders from coast to country and contribute significantly to regional development between now and 2032.
“The Forum members have another busy and exciting year in which to advance the plans for their respective regions, bringing their wealth of knowledge to the table,” Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said.
Minister Farmer stated that the $200 million Future Skills Fund focuses on skill acquisition for future jobs, modernising TAFE Queensland facilities, and assisting vulnerable cohorts.
“We are investing $100 million to upgrade TAFE campuses across the regions which will do just that, building on our record investment in training infrastructure of almost $280 million since 2017,” Minister Farmer added.
Individual forums will be held across the grounds to bring together community members from across Queensland.
Each of the seven regional centres will host a forum:
- Gordonvale (Far North Queensland)
- Ingham (North, North West Region)
- Mackay (Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region)
- Blackall (Western Queensland region)
- Emerald (Central Queensland region)
- Cherbourg (Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast region)
- St George (Darling Downs South West region)
“The Forum program provides a much-needed platform for local communities to come together and voice their priorities, concerns, and opportunities,” Darling Downs South West Regional Community Forum member Adam Wenitong said.
Wenitong added that it is critical that community members, particularly Indigenous peoples, have the opportunity to have their voices heard and their needs met.
The 2023 Regional Community Forums is the fifth in a series of eight Forums over a two-year series.
