North West Leaders Chase Collaboration in Canberra
NWQROC led a delegation of Mayors and Deputy Mayors to Canberra on 5-6 June ready to advocate for support and investment in the newly released NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan.
The group met with a host of key decision-makers, including Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories as well as the offices of Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland, and Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt.
A highlight of the visit to Parliament House were an invitation to meet the Speaker, Hon Milton Dick MP in his rooms and attendance at Question Time in the Speaker’s Gallery.
Matters raised included:
NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan 2024
Cross portfolio and jurisdictional program planning and delivery of a North West Infrastructure Partnership
Northern Australia Action Plan
Financial Sustainability
Greater use of allocative funding models
Infrastructure Investment Program – Road funding
Digital Connectivity – Removing the Patchwork Quilt
Disaster Resilience Funding
Regional, Rural and Remote
Following the delegation to Canberra, NWQROC continued its work advocating for local government sustainability and enabling infrastructure funding, meeting online with Chief of Staff and advisors to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King MP on 28 June.
We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan and issues facing our councils after illness in Minister King's office meant our meeting could not go ahead while we were in Canberra.
“This past week I had a very cool opportunity to visit Parliament House in Canberra representing Flinders Shire advocating the need for investment with the NWQROC “Enabling Infrastructure Plan”.
All levels of government have intense focus towards zero net energy transition and critical minerals. With the construction of CopperString 2.0 project, many of these energy proponents are knocking on our doors to invest and develop their projects ultimately tapping into the transmission line which is on track for completion in 2029.
NWQROC is being strategic in preparation with investment needed with the pressures upon our Local Governments during and after development. Also, ensure legacy projects are built being beneficial and remain sustainable for the economic diversity, growth and liveability to our communities. Investment projects for essential services such as water, housing, remote health, education, roads, rail, airports, communication networks and current power capacity were some hot topics discussed.
Our region punches well above its weight in contribution to the National Economy being $275,000 per capita compared to $84,000 anywhere else in Qld, that’s 3.27% more. To only receive 3% of the entire nations tax income in Federal Assistance Grants split between all 77 councils in Qld.
The delegation visit to Canberra last week strongly voiced the undeniable need to provide a more reliable, stronger and smarter co-ordination approach towards external funding assistance.”
Nikki Flute, Deputy Mayor, Flinders Shire Council
Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia
We discussed our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Master Plan 2024, and its relationship to successfully delivering the new Northern Australia Action Plan.
Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
Discussions included financial sustainability and ongoing funding support for local government, and begin discussions on our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Master Plan 2024 priorities and investment opportunities to deliver for our region, Northern Australia and the nation.
Hon Milton Dick, Speaker of the House
A highlight of the visit to Parliament House were an invitation to meet the Speaker, Hon Milton Dick MP in his rooms and attendance at Question Time in the Speaker’s Gallery.
Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
Discussions with Chief of Staff and advisors to Hon Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
