Forum updates

In 2022, the Queensland Government held Regional Community Forums on:

• 30 May. Locations—Toowoomba, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Longreach, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns
• 11 July. Locations—Warwick, Maryborough, Agnes Water, Barcaldine, Proserpine , Charters Towers, and Cooktown
• 26 September. Locations—Toowoomba, Bargara, Longreach, Mackay, Yeppoon, Townsville, Palm Cove
• 14 November. Locations—Biloela, Gympie, Longreach, Weipa, Collinsville, Hughenden, Chinchilla

These Forums have continued the productive engagement and partnerships between rural and regional communities and the Queensland Government. Throughout 2022, the Forums have run in partnership with local representatives from each of seven regions. Members have identified potential solutions to local challenges outlined in their region’s Forum action plan.

Forum 1 – 30 May 2022

During Forum 1, newly appointed Forum members met and heard from ministers and senior government representatives regarding the Forum program and the government’s role in supporting Queensland’s regions. The Department of Employment, Small Business and Training engaged with Forum members on workforce strategies, challenges and opportunities to inform the Queensland Workforce Strategy.

Forum 2 – 11 July 2022

At the second Forum, members heard about regional achievements and opportunities for innovation and development through local presentations and site visits. Forum 2 continued the focus on regional priorities including housing and digital connectivity, and workforce attraction and retention. This Forum also provided an opportunity to continue collaborative discussions between Forum members, the Queensland Government and various guest speakers.

Forum 3 – 26 September 2022

Forum 3 was held immediately prior to the release of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. Forum members visited network battery sites, electric vehicle charging stations, and microgrid and isolated testing facilities to better understand the role of renewables in Queensland’s energy future, including local workforce opportunities and the long-lasting benefits for communities.

Forum 4 – 14 November 2022

During the final Forum for 2022, opportunities stemming from the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan were explored, and Forum members contributed feedback to the Regional Energy Transformation Partnerships Framework.

Regional Community Forum 2023

Moving into 2023, Forum members will continue to progress various priorities identified in their respective Forum action plans, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland. These actions include extending Forum member engagement in Path to Treaty and considering opportunities across all corners of the state arising from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Find out more about Regional Community Forums.

The fifth round of the Regional Community Forum (Forum) series for 2022-2023 was held on 20 March 2023 across seven Queensland regions.

Since 2019, the Forums have helped strengthen the partnership between government and regional Queensland, providing those living in our regions greater access to and better opportunities to influence government decision-making. Local representatives from each of the regions have sought to address priorities and challenges through establishment of Forum Action Plans.

The first Forum for this year focused on reconsidering and confirming Forum Action Plan priorities. Forum members continued to work on key regional priorities such as workforce attraction and retention, education training and employment pathways, economic diversification, reconciliation action and Path to Treaty, and housing accessibility and affordability.

For example, in the Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast region, Forum members visited the Cherbourg Ration Shed Museum to understand more about the history of First Nations people, while in Darling Downs South West, Forum members heard about regional vocational education and training opportunities.

Forum members will continue to work on Forum Action Plans in each region throughout 2023, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.

In 2023 the Forum Action Plans will evolve to align with the priorities for each region.

The sixth round of the Regional Community Forum (Forum) series for 2022–2023 was held on 10 July 2023 in Mareeba, Thuringowa, Moranbah, Gladstone, Roma, Muttaburra and Monto. The Forums continue the productive engagement and partnerships between rural and regional communities and the Queensland Government.

Health was a key focus, with presentations delivered on the HEALTHQ32 Strategy, along with other priority areas including skills and training, workforce attraction and retention, and liveability.

Forum members provided feedback on the Queensland Vocational and Education Training Strategy by identifying solutions to improve access to quality training and skills in their communities.

Regional site visits included the Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre, Roma Saleyards, Bailey Creek Piggery in Monto and Signature Beef’s Sondella Station near Clermont. These site visits give forum members the opportunity to meet local business owners and see firsthand the unique and innovative industry of each region.

Forum members will continue to progress the broad range of priorities identified in their respective Forum Action Plans, supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.

The seventh round of Regional Community Forums in the 2022-2023 series were held on 28 August 2023 in Charleville, Hervey Bay, Port Douglas, Rockhampton, Boulia, Bowen and Mount Isa.

Focused on readying regional businesses for Brisbane 2032, the Forums shone a spotlight on regional businesses through the statewide Q2032 Procurement Strategy.

Forum members, Ministers, other Members of Parliament and guests discussed priorities for each community including jobs and training, economic development and housing. Forum members reviewed their local action plans in preparation for the final Forums of this series to be held later this year.

In Port Douglas, Far North Queensland Forum members meet with reef operators to learn more about environmental, eco and adventure tourism initiatives in the Great Barrier Reef. Central Queensland Forum members learned about energy transformation and innovation at the Stanwell Power Station in Gracemere. And to the west, Western Queensland members toured the Min Min Encounter Visitor Information Centre in Boulia to better understand the important role tourism plays in the Western Queensland economy.

The Office for Rural and Regional Queensland (ORRQ) held the final round of Regional Community Forums for 2022-2023 across seven Queensland regions, with events in Airlie Beach, Cairns, Childers, Longreach, Normanton and Mount Morgan on the 6 November and Toowoomba on 11 December 2023.

Forums focused on closing the loop on the 2022–2023 series, with members reviewing and reflecting on their Forum Action Plans.

The groups discussed key successes and actions in their regions, along with future opportunities. It was also a chance to learn about the Queensland Government’s Big Build, an $89 billion capital investment in social and economic infrastructure across the state.

North and North West Queensland

In North and North West Queensland, Forum members visited the TAFE facility in the remote community of Normanton to learn how the recently re-opened centre will support further education and upskilling of Gulf communities.

Far North Queensland

Far North Queensland Forum members convened at the newly expanded Cairns Convention Centre, engaging in discussion panels regarding Path to Treaty. The group also visited the Cairns Marine Precinct, a $400 million joint project resulting in increased defence and maritime industry opportunities in the region.

Central Queensland

The Central Queensland Forum was held at Mount Morgan, where forum members learned about the diverse industries in the area, visiting the Heritage Minerals Gold Mine and Mount Morgan School of Arts.

Western Queensland

To the west, the Western Queensland members visited the Longreach School of Distance Education to hear about the work of the centre and tour the newly built accommodation quarters.

Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday

In Mackay/Isaac/Whitsunday, Forum members headed to Airlie Beach where they were able to join the official opening of Whitsundays TAFE’s new Aquaculture Centre of Excellence.

Wide Bay/Burnett/Fraser Coast

In Wide Bay/Burnett/Fraser Coast, forum members ventured to Childers for the first time since the Regional Community Forum program began, visiting the Isis Central Sugar Mill.

Darling Downs

Finally, Darling Downs Forum members got together in Toowoomba in December, after rescheduling due to bushfires in the area.

This Forum marked the end of the 2022-2023 series. We thank outgoing forum members for their insights and contributions that have shaped their regions.