News from the North West

2024 End of Year Review

Message from our Chair

Welcome to North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) 2024 End of Year Review.

I’m pleased to provide my first message as Chair of NWQROC. Since stepping into the role, we have marked some big milestones for our region and state, including the 2024 State Election.

The election of a new government provides a real opportunity for a fresh start. And the local government leaders from across NWQ are committed to making the most of this opportunity. Since the election I’ve had the opportunity to provide commentary on behalf of NWQROC for the NQ Register newspaper which you can read at the links below.

I recently met with our local member Robbie Katter MP and we’ve agreed on a closer working relationship for the term ahead.

We have also written to several Ministers identifying the portfolio core values and key deliverables of immediate importance to our region and councils. These are published on NWQROC website.

Next year, we will be on the campaign trail again with the federal election set to be called in the first half of 2025. Through NWQROC’s work and our collective approach with the 24 rural and remote councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils we are in a strong position to platform our asks - with our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan, research, reports and ongoing advocacy activities some of which you can see in our updates below.

As we head into the festive season I wish everyone a merry Christmas. Stay safe and I look forward to updating you in 2025.

Cr Barry Hughes
Chair, NWQROC
Mayor, Etheridge Shire Council

NQ Register contributions

The North West needs more than a string along from CopperString - READ
New government commitments set framework for partnerships - READ

NWQROC welcomes new chair

At our AGM in September, NWQROC welcomed Councillor Barry Hughes, Mayor of Etheridge Shire Council as our new Chair. We extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Cr Jack Bawden, Mayor of Carpentaria Shire for his leadership during his tenure. Cr Bawden had held the position for eight years and did not seek re-election.

NWQ Mayors host election candidate forum

NWQROC put their questions and priorities to Traeger candidates at a forum hosted in Julia Creek in September. Moderated by North West Weekly editor Matt Nicholls, candidates were given the opportunity to present to the group on their respective election platforms, before taking questions from the floor.

Enhancing Local Government Biosecurity Capacity

This biosecurity project, delivered in collaboration with Southern Gulf NRM, in this half of the year continued our regional coordination, planning and capacity building work this included the release of a series of factsheets and social media campaign.

From the border to the coast local leaders agree it’s time to get ‘back to basics’

NWQROC representatives including Mayors and Executive Officer Greg Hoffman PSM joined fellow local government representatives from Townsville to Mount Isa at the MITEZ Infrastructure Forum in Charters Towers in August.

The message from across the region is loud and clear, and reinforces our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan, to get “Back to Basics”, with local infrastructure being the key to enabling new industry development to occur whilst ensuring a positive legacy is achieved for all communities from renewable energy growth and critical minerals mining.

Mayors and Deputy Mayors representing WQAC member councils in Mount Isa.

WQAC Assembly hosted in Mount Isa

The fifth Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) Assembly returned to the North West with Mount Isa City Council hosting the event 4-5 September 2024. The two-day agenda brought together colleagues from across the 24 member councils to progress group actions, discuss common issues, meet with elected representatives and hear from project partners.

NWQROC Executive Officer Greg Hoffman PSM opened proceedings with a presentation updating on actions and outcomes for the group, including progress on housing, digital connectivity, health, roads, disaster management and financial sustainability.

View the presentation >>

Our thanks to the fantastic work of the Mount Isa City Council events team in working with us to deliver a successful and professional event. Details of the program and speakers are published online at: www.wqac.com.au/assembly2024

Getting ready for a future housing model for Western Queensland

As part of a housing session during the WQAC 2024 program Greg Hoffman PSM, NWQROC Executive Officer, and project partner Darren Mew, BlueCHP Executive Manager (Qld & NT), presented on progress with the development of a WQAC council employee housing model.

The presentation outlined the challenge our councils face but also the opportunity a Community Housing Partnership model provides for a solution. Preliminary data analysis and financial modelling have been undertaken and further work is planned to fully scope the governance, operations and financing of a Council Employee Housing Provider.

View the presentation >>

WQAC State Election Platform

How did the candidates for Traeger, Gregory and Warrego stack up to calls to invest in Western Queensland?...That was the question being posed by the 24 WQAC rural and remote local governments on behalf of their communities ahead of the state election.

The WQAC election platform was sent to the five parties with candidates contesting the region’s electorates of Traeger, Gregory and Warrego, with their responses assessed and published in our Candidate Scorecards to help inform local voters ahead of polling day.

Find out more at www.investinwestqld.com.au

WQAC Leadership Group meeting with Darrin Bond and Kristina Neylan from QGCDG in Brisbane coinciding with the annual LGAQ Conference.

Breaking down the digital divide

NWQROC is pleased to note progress in tackling the digital divide in our region through a placed-based solutions approach and proposed WQAC partnership with the Queensland Government Customer and Digital Group (QGCDG).

WQAC opened constructive dialogue with the QGCDG which was initiated from our Digital Blueprint report and continued with a dedicated session at WQAC 2024. We appreciate the strong commitment of the QGCDG to continuing to work with local representation.

Download the WQAC Digital Blueprint >>

WQ Priority Roads Network

WQAC published its Priorities Roads Network report in September highlighting the key issues in relation to road funding, investment planning and prioritisation, and includes recommendations for consideration. The report is an important long-term advocacy resource for State and Federal elections and also feeds into our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan.

Read about the report and download >>

REX Airlines response

NWQROC through the WQAC has undertaken several rounds of representation to Australian and Queensland Governments to support continuation of REX Airline’s Regional Services.

Read the joint WQAC statement >>

Local Government Sustainability Inquiry

NWQROC Executive Officer, Greg Hoffman PSM, joined virtually by NWQROC Chair, Mayor Barry Hughes, and Deputy Chair, Mayor Janene Fegan, were pleased to be a part of the WQAC group presenting at the public hearing of the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government Sustainability in Beaudesert in October.

Read the WQAC Submission >>