Get ready to limber up and get ‘election fit’ with NWQROC

Cr Barry Hughes - NWQROC Chair

As Chair of the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), I am proud to represent a region that is both rich in resources and resilient in spirit. Our communities, spread across vast distances, are the backbone of industries critical to Australia’s economy, including mining, agriculture, and energy.

With the Federal Election campaigning clearly starting to ramp up, it is vital that the unique challenges and opportunities of North West Queensland are firmly on the national agenda.

Firstly, we welcome the Growing Regions Program funding that was committed by Prime Minister Albanese while in our region earlier this month - but there’s much more to be done.

As the political landscape heats up, we’re getting ‘election fit’. I encourage you to join us as we look past the gimmicks and political jargon, stay focused on the issues that truly matter to our region and advocate for the priorities that will shape our future.

“This election is a chance for all political parties to demonstrate their commitment to all of regional Australia.”

On broader issues we’ll be amplifying our voice alongside our colleagues of the 24 local governments of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC). This powerhouse group represents communities covering 64% of Queensland that deliver nearly $16 billion to the national economy from a population of around 67,000!

Critical focus areas for our region include – roads and transport, energy, water, housing, digital connectivity, biosecurity and environment, technology, education and training, health and aged care.

The backbone of our region is connectivity - whether it be roads, rail, air, or digital. Our industries depend on efficient transport networks to move goods to market, while our residents need reliable infrastructure to access essential services.

Our road network is vast and in need of significant upgrades to continue supporting state and national economic priorities.

We need to get back to basics - with better planning, better coordination, and structured long-term State and Federal funding to support our rural and remote jobs and small businesses; provide equitable and safe access to services; build regional resilience; and promote economic prosperity.

Our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan and the Western Queensland Priority Roads Network Report released last year set out how this can be achieved and will continue to provide an important platform for our campaign efforts.

Funding announced recently for the Bruce Highway is welcome. However, it is essential that the focus doesn’t end at the Bruce and includes our local key corridors. These networks are critical to our region, state and national economy and connectivity, and require ongoing attention and investment.

Equally important is investment in rail infrastructure. Enhancing freight rail capacity will not only support the mining and agriculture sectors but also reduce wear and tear and make roads safer for all users.

Moreover, ensuring equitable air services for our remote communities remains a priority.

We warmly welcome the federal government’s support in ensuring Rex Airlines continues to provide its essential services to our region. However, continued issues in this sector remain barriers to economic growth and social equity that the federal government needs to tackle.

Digital connectivity is another cornerstone of modern living and economic participation. Many of our communities still face unreliable internet and mobile coverage, hindering education, healthcare, and business opportunities.

We call for commitment to prioritise investment in telecommunications infrastructure, looking to our WQAC Digital Connectivity Report and submission to the Federal Regional Telecommunications Review 2024 to bridge the digital divide.

As we look to the future, the priorities for North West Queensland are clear. These are not just local issues; they are national priorities that will contribute to Australia’s prosperity and resilience.

This election is a chance for all political parties to demonstrate their commitment to all of regional Australia.

As NWQROC limbers up for the election, I ask that you get behind your local leaders to call on candidates to listen to our communities, understand our challenges, and partner with us to invest in the west and build a stronger future for North West Queensland.