Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge is impressed with the State Government’s RegionsQ Framework plan that was launched in Townsville earlier this week.
Cr Beveridge and Council CEO Mark Crawley attended a business breakfast where the RegionsQ Framework was launched by Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney.
The framework identifies six priority action areas including planning for development,
infrastructure services, making it easier to do business, capitalising on economic drivers,
attracting and retaining people and communicating and promoting the regions’ potential.
“I found it very beneficial to hear what Jeff Seeney had to say and also to gather with other mayors and business leaders to discuss the critical issues that are so important to the development of our region,” Cr Beveridge said.
“This RegionsQ Framework that was presented by the Deputy Premier is a major push to increase the prosperity of our own Charters Towers region as well as the whole of northern Queensland.”
Cr Beveridge networked with Mayor Jenny Hill (Townsville), Mayor Rodger Bow (Hinchinbrook) and Mayor Bill Lowis (Burdekin) during the business breakfast function.
“It’s important that as mayors we meet and take the opportunity to talk about the important issues affecting our regions,” he said.
The RegionsQ Framework is seen as a new whole-of government plan to manage projects of regional significance, nine of which have already been identified across Queensland.
Cr Beveridge said he was encouraged to hear the Deputy Premier put forward positive initiatives that have the potential to foster job creation and business growth.
“We have been promised support for growth in the four pillars of the economy – tourism, resources, agriculture and construction and I am personally looking forward to the State Government delivering on that promise,” he said.
Mr Seeney told the gathering that the RegionsQ Framework draws on the Governing for Growth Economic Strategy and Action Plan and identifies the priorities that will achieve the long-term vision set out in the Queensland Plan for a decentralised state.
Mr Seeney said eleven RegionsQ forums will be held around regional Queensland over the coming months.
