WQAC CALLS ON CANDIDATES TO RESPOND TO PLATFORM TO INVEST IN THE WEST
26 APRIL 2022
Councils from across 60% of Queensland, united as the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC), are hitting the campaign trail with the WQAC Election Platform ahead of the federal election calling on candidates to Invest in the West to deliver dividends for region, state and nation.
Pictured above: The 22 Mayors of Western Queensland met in Charleville for the annual WQAC Assembly in March this year.
Representing 22 rural and remote local government areas, the WQAC region is home to industries that make a massive contribution to the wealth of Queensland and Australia. The WQAC Election Platform not only highlights the significant contribution the region makes, but the very real opportunities to do more, and deliver more for the nation with supporting policy and investment.
The WQAC are seeking written commitments from all parties contesting the May election, to support WQAC in addressing these identified challenges, as well as build on existing opportunities across Western Queensland through the endorsement of the WQAC Election Platform.
The responses of all candidates within the Kennedy and Maranoa electorates will be published on the investinwestqld.com.au website, so that voters are aware of where each party stands in support of their Councils and communities. The WQAC have requested these responses by Friday, 6 May 2022.
The WQAC’s election platform is focused on five themes:
1. Doing more for Queensland and Australia:
A Western Queensland productivity partnership, industry and infrastructure investment, and innovation
2. Move to more, in Western Queensland:
Re-invigorating regionalisation and supporting regional housing solutions
3. Growing more for you:
Reducing green and red tape, caring for the environment, and providing safe & secure water supplies
4. Transporting more for you:
Investing in our regional roads and rail
5. Connecting to you:
Backing our digital connectivity blueprint and supporting digital by default
Cr Samantha O’Toole, Mayor of Balonne Shire Council and Chair of the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils said: “A focus on these five areas will offer considerable opportunities to drive productivity, economic growth and workforce participation based on its traditional industries of mining, agriculture, fishing, construction, and public administration, as well as its emerging industries of renewable energies, new economy minerals, technology, and tourism.
“We hope the insight from candidate responses will help inform our region’s voters about where their candidates stand. We also trust all contesting candidates will appreciate, understand, and support the aspirations we have for our communities and agree that the only way forward is to Invest in the West – It pays dividends!” Mayor O’Toole said.
Cr Tony Rayner, Mayor of Longreach Regional Council and Chair of the Remote Area Planning and Development Board said: “Our industries make a massive contribution to the Queensland and Australian economies - three times more per head than the rest of the State. Western Queenslanders know how to make things happen working in partnership with government and industry creating opportunities through innovation and hard work.”
“We can do so much more through a long term strategically focused approach to removing the barriers that are holding us back. We have a plan to make this happen so we can do more for you,” Mayor Rayner said.
Cr Jack Bawden, Mayor of Carpentaria Shire Council and Chair of the North West Queensland regional Organisation of Councils said: “From our first of its kind region-wide Housing Solutions Study, to Digital Connectivity report, to our annual WQAC Assemblies, the 22 councils of our region have stepped up to create solutions and platforms to get us moving, and to make things happen.”
“This is a unique opportunity to target policy and investment across an incredibly large yet united and highly engaged area that is already punching well above its weight. Our message to the candidates is clear - we stand ready, willing and able to work with governments, industry and community so that we are better able to deliver more if you Invest in the West – It pays dividends!” Mayor Bawden said.
The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) is a collaboration between the three regional organisations of councils in Western Queensland, namely the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) and the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC).
Media contact:
Aleisha Domrow – 0423 116 865