Major announcements for the local community have set the scene for the final Central Queensland Regional Community Forum.

The forum identifies pathways for young people into jobs to help build new infrastructure and maintain Queensland’s booming aviation sector.

The forum will also discuss the benefits to the region from Alliance Airlines’ new $60 million aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility, officially opened earlier this month at Rockhampton Airport, following support from the Palaszczuk Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

The initiative will support about 100 highly skilled aviation jobs, as well as supporting 16 new traineeships and apprenticeships.

The Palaszczuk Government has also unveiled the Stanwell Clean Energy Hub in the Central Queensland region, including a $100 million Future Energy and Innovation Training Hub (FEITH).

The hub will provide the sandbox to test out innovative new energy technology including wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage whilst providing real-life, hands-on training environment for Queensland energy employees to develop the skills needed to work on renewable energy projects.

The Central Queensland Community Forum will examine how high school students in Central Queensland can learn what it takes to ensure these initiatives are a success and how they can join Central Queensland’s growing workforce, when it meets for the last time for 2023 at Mount Morgan on Monday. 
 
Focus areas of the forum will include school-to-workforce transition, deliverable through initiatives including the Queensland Government’s Future Energy Jobs Guide, which comprehensively outlines job opportunities and career pathways available to existing workers and school students.

Regional Palaszczuk Government representatives have worked with forum members to advocate for industry participation in local high schools to bring workplace experience into the classroom, and provide a pathway into the workforce for local students.

Forum members will tour local gold mine, Heritage Minerals, which will showcase its education and employment pathway program for Central Queenslanders.

Other discussions include Central Queensland’s economic outlook, Queensland’s $89 billion Big Build, a Regional Growth Framework update, the Central Queensland Freight Strategy and Action Plan, and a Jobs Queensland update. 

Quote attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni:

“I say to the Forum Representatives from Central Queensland - you have enabled greater investment in the region through your thoughtful and powerful advocacy - and for that, we thank you. 

 “As a result, we are determined to do even more to protect jobs and the economy in Central Queensland, because the businesses, people and workers - and the communities in which they live - are the foundation of this State.

Quote attributable to the Central Queensland Regional Community Forum Co-Chair, Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga: 

“The wide range of outcomes delivered by the Central Queensland forum is testament to the hard work and energy of the members and I hope they have found it a rewarding experience.”

Quote attributable to the Central Queensland Regional Community Forum Co-Chair, State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke: 

“The insights of the forum members have been invaluable and have supported change across the region, and I thank them for their drive and energy.”

 Quote attributable to Mount Morgan State High School teacher Justene Webb:

“Partnering with the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland in the areas of Regional Development and Manufacturing has enabled our school to drive targeted changes in learning outcomes and to create new opportunities for both our teachers and students in our community, with a particular emphasis on fostering school to work pathways.”
 
Quote attributable to Central Queensland Regional Community Forum member Melinee Leather: 

“The forum is made up of a diverse group of individuals representing a variety of sectors, and being able to share insights, voice concerns, and look for solutions in a collaborative manner is a powerful mechanism to build trust and understanding for improved outcomes.” 

Quote attributable to Central Queensland Regional Community Forum member, Megan Daniels:

“The network has been wonderful, and the calibre of people who have come together and committed to the process has been great.

“It feels like we can have an honest and constructive conversation with all levels of government, and that we have touch points throughout many key areas within the community.”

Quote attributable to Central Queensland Regional Community Forum Member, Sharon Kingston:

“The challenges impacting different industries are very similar across the board, and being able to let local community members know what services are available and what can happen for our community has been excellent.”

Background

The forum is the eighth and last for the 2022-23 members. Expressions of Interest for Central Queensland residents who would like to participate in the 2024-25 series of forums can be made at Regional Community Forums | About Queensland and its government | Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)

Teacher Ms Justene Webb and forum member Mr Trent Miles are available for interview – please email media@premiers.qld.gov.au.

• The forum is co-chaired by the Assistant Minister for Education Brittany Lauga and the Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke.
• The Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement Mick de Brenni, is also attending. 
• The Central Queensland Regional Community Forum is one of seven to be held in regional centres across the state, with similar forums for Darling Downs South West Queensland, Far North Queensland, North and North West Queensland, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday, Western Queensland, and Wide Bay Burnett Fraser Coast. 
• The Regional Community Forums are supported by the Office for Rural and Regional Queensland.