Welcome to the first North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) News from the North West for Summer 2018/19.
We’ve come a long way since 2013 when the NWQROC was established. As the end of 2018 draws near, I am pleased to look back on the year and see all that NWQROC has achieved in the last 12 months or so.
Take a look at just some of our highlights and achievements in 2018.
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) recognises the significant economic and social impact the Longreach Pastoral College has had on its local community and beyond.
NWQROC calls on the Queensland Government to work with the Central West Queensland organisation of councils (RAPAD) in determining the future of the Longreach Pastoral College.
NWQROC Executive Officer Greg Hoffman PSM said the eight mayors of the North West Queensland were most concerned when the Queensland Government announced the college would close at the end of 2019 as recommended in the Coaldrake Report.
The $5.1 billion region of North West Queensland was put firmly in the political spotlight as community leaders launched their first election campaign platform in Canberra on 26 November.
Chair of the North West Regional Organisation of Councils, Mayor Jack Bawden led the delegation representing a diverse, powerhouse of a region around the size of Tasmania and Victoria combined.
Cr Bawden said the leaders had come together to ensure a strategic, collective voice was heard on the national stage to make sure their communities and local businesses stay productive for the future.
Community leaders from North West Queensland will be taking their fight for a fairer regional deal to the voters of Australia following the launch of their first election campaign platform in Canberra today.
North West Queensland is part of Australia’s engine room pumping over $5billion in to the economy, with hard-working North West Queenslanders contributing nearly three times more per capita to the rest of the country - some $176,000 per capita to the national economy compared to $66,000 from elsewhere in Queensland. Yet these hard-working communities barely get the smell of an oily rag.
Leaders from the eight councils of North West Queensland are stepping into the national political arena and are on the road to Canberra and beyond to launch their first national campaign ahead of the next federal election.
North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) will officially launch its campaign on Monday 26 November 2018 at Parliament House.
This federal election and beyond, the Mayors, Councils and our communities are asking political leaders to support this local vision to make North West Queensland a region attractive for people and businesses to live, work and invest – and actually develop and properly fund a regional plan.
Almost 60% of Queensland has united to call on the Federal Government to increase overall funding for local government and to put in place targeted funding programs for rural and remote councils.
The 21 councils ranging from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the New South Wales border, generate $9.35B of the State’s Gross Product from 1.3 per cent of the Queensland’s population.
Read MoreQueensland Government media statement
Jobs and a new export product are flowing as a $50 million project brings new life to a former north-west Queensland mine.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today congratulated New Century Resources on the official opening of its $50 million investment based on a former zinc mine at Lawn Hill.
Read MoreQueensland’s independent Coordinator-General has declared Flinders Shire Council’s proposed 918-hectare irrigated agricultural development a coordinated project, to create jobs and drive sustainable economic activity in the region.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said if approved, the proposed 15 Mile Irrigated Agricultural Development Project on the banks of the Flinders River near Hughenden would create an initial 60-hectares of irrigated land for table grapes and 60-hectares of citrus crops for market.
“Declaring this project a coordinated project will help streamline approvals and fast-track delivery of this regionally significant project,” he said.
Leaders from the eight councils of North West Queensland will meet in Karumba on 7 – 8 August, renewing their drive to shape the future of the region ahead of the next federal election.
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) was established by the eight councils in 2013 to advocate and deliver on agreed priorities for the region.
NWQROC Chair, and Mayor of Carpentaria Shire Council, Cr Jack Bawden said the meeting marked a pivotal point for NWQROC as the region’s importance on state and national agendas continued to grow.
