Queensland’s resource mecca is set to shine the spotlight on critical challenges facing community futures as it seeks the deal with a changing world.
Queensland’s resource mecca is set to shine the spotlight on critical challenges facing community futures as it seeks the deal with a changing world.
Isaac Regional Council is calling 76 other local governments to back five motions at the 126th Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) 2022 Annual Conference in Cairns this 17-19 October.
The motions are pre-emptive actions to ensure communities and local governments are not left to deal with the social, economic and financial impacts from end of mine life and the climate change response.
This includes the need for a regional transformation authority, sourcing state regulators for major resource and renewable projects and establishing a contemporary framework for the future mining sector.
Council is also pushing for more program funding for regional university centres which will provide more learning opportunities for residents and to retain staff to cost-saving operational measures.
Mayor Anne Baker said it is in best interests for Queensland local councils to be ahead of the game on behalf of regional communities.
“Local governments like ours are the backbone of regional Australian communities and we are asking Queensland’s 76 other councils to back our collective futures,” Mayor Baker said.
“Our role has gone way beyond the traditional operations of rates, roads and rubbish as community needs and expectations continue to grow.
“The conference is an opportunity for us to help form policy positions and for the LGAQ, a representative for all Queensland councils, to advocate to federal and state governments for the betterment of the regions we represent,” Mayor Baker said.
“We’re looking for a massive vote of support for these five motions.”
The five motions are:
- The need for a regional transformational authority in conjunction with Central Highlands Regional Council
- Resourcing state regulators for major resource and renewable projects
- Establishing a contemporary framework for the resource, renewables and clean energy sector
- Regional university centres program funding
- Cost recovery on over dimensional permits from the national heavy vehicle regulator
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