News
Region-wide response critical to Northern recovery say flood affected Mayors
The collective force of leaders from across flood-hit northern Queensland have made their mark in Canberra as they push for a united regional recovery response.
The delegation including Townsville Enterprise, the Regional Organisation of Councils from North and North West Queensland (NQROC and NWQROC) are joined by peak industry bodies at Parliament House. The two-day meeting schedule (Tuesday 19 February to Wednesday 20 February) with key Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet ministers including Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack MP and opposition leader Bill Shorten MP.
Where we come from, we stick together, and neighbours help one another. That’s why we’re working with Townsville and wider North Queensland - we have a shared challenge and we should look to shared solutions for now and into the future.
Leaders from across Northern Queensland start road to recovery in Canberra
Leaders from North West Queensland are in Canberra this week as part of a united Northern Queensland delegation meeting with our nation’s leaders to continue to push for recovery support following the devastating flooding events across the state’s north.
Burke Shire Mayor, Cr Ernie Camp, Mount Isa City Mayor, Cr Joyce McCulloch, and NWQ Regional Organisation of Councils Executive Officer, Greg Hoffman PSM, will join Townsville Enterprise, North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and peak industry bodies.
The delegation will take a united message from the North to Parliament House seeking immediate action on the economic rebuild of communities across North Queensland and North West Queensland in the wake of one of the most devastating natural disasters we have seen in recent memory.
NWQ needs a regional deal for the future now more than ever
As North West Queensland faces the road to recovery from its greatest natural disaster, the leaders of the region have made a call to the wider community on their urgent need for a fair regional “Future Deal” from Canberra.
Even as our region counts its losses from devastating flooding, the Federal Government is set to deliver yet another “City Deal”, ramping up its already significant investment in South East Queensland.
Representing the eight regional Mayors and Carpentaria Shire, Mayor Cr Jack Bawden said politicians are yet to commit to the necessary deal for our region and is time for real regional investment beyond the east coast.
NWQ Leaders deliver pre-budget submission to Canberra
The leaders of North West Queensland have delivered a submission to the federal Treasurer ahead of the 2019-20 Budget as they continue their push to secure a fair deal for the region.
Each hardworking local in North West Queensland (NWQ) contributes $176,000 per capita to the national economy – nearly three times more than elsewhere in Queensland at only $66,000.
Despite this significant impact on our nation’s economy, we don’t see the return on investment we deserve.
Without fair investment from Canberra and Brisbane in infrastructure, communications and community our small, local communities can’t keep delivering this massive contribution that our whole nation benefits from.
Board meeting starts 2019 with a splash
The first NWQROC board meeting of 2019 was hosted in Hughenden, with a three-day agenda scheduled from 30 January to 1 February 2019.
Roads, water and sewerage were top of agenda for Mayors, Deputies, CEOs and other attendees from councils and agencies on day one. The group agreed to form new collaboration on water and sewerage to introduce new technology, save money and share resources.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program 2018-19 to 2021-22 funding and flood damage were on the agenda for day two. Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads regional staff joined the North West Queensland Regional Roads and Transport Group (NWQRRTG) meeting.
News from the North West - Summer 2018-19
Welcome to the first North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) News from the North West for Summer 2018/19.
We’ve come a long way since 2013 when the NWQROC was established. As the end of 2018 draws near, I am pleased to look back on the year and see all that NWQROC has achieved in the last 12 months or so.
Take a look at just some of our highlights and achievements in 2018.
NWQROC response on future of Longreach Ag College
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) recognises the significant economic and social impact the Longreach Pastoral College has had on its local community and beyond.
NWQROC calls on the Queensland Government to work with the Central West Queensland organisation of councils (RAPAD) in determining the future of the Longreach Pastoral College.
NWQROC Executive Officer Greg Hoffman PSM said the eight mayors of the North West Queensland were most concerned when the Queensland Government announced the college would close at the end of 2019 as recommended in the Coaldrake Report.
Collaborative six-point election plan gets tick of approval in Canberra
The $5.1 billion region of North West Queensland was put firmly in the political spotlight as community leaders launched their first election campaign platform in Canberra on 26 November.
Chair of the North West Regional Organisation of Councils, Mayor Jack Bawden led the delegation representing a diverse, powerhouse of a region around the size of Tasmania and Victoria combined.
Cr Bawden said the leaders had come together to ensure a strategic, collective voice was heard on the national stage to make sure their communities and local businesses stay productive for the future.
NWQROC launches election campaign in canberra
Community leaders from North West Queensland will be taking their fight for a fairer regional deal to the voters of Australia following the launch of their first election campaign platform in Canberra today.
North West Queensland is part of Australia’s engine room pumping over $5billion in to the economy, with hard-working North West Queenslanders contributing nearly three times more per capita to the rest of the country - some $176,000 per capita to the national economy compared to $66,000 from elsewhere in Queensland. Yet these hard-working communities barely get the smell of an oily rag.
North West Queensland Mayors head to Canberra to fight for fairer regional deal
Leaders from the eight councils of North West Queensland are stepping into the national political arena and are on the road to Canberra and beyond to launch their first national campaign ahead of the next federal election.
North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) will officially launch its campaign on Monday 26 November 2018 at Parliament House.
This federal election and beyond, the Mayors, Councils and our communities are asking political leaders to support this local vision to make North West Queensland a region attractive for people and businesses to live, work and invest – and actually develop and properly fund a regional plan.
All of Western Queensland unite for a fairer deal from Canberra
Almost 60% of Queensland has united to call on the Federal Government to increase overall funding for local government and to put in place targeted funding programs for rural and remote councils.
The 21 councils ranging from the Gulf of Carpentaria to the New South Wales border, generate $9.35B of the State’s Gross Product from 1.3 per cent of the Queensland’s population.
Something old; something new: jobs flow as mine ‘recycled’
Queensland Government media statement
Jobs and a new export product are flowing as a $50 million project brings new life to a former north-west Queensland mine.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today congratulated New Century Resources on the official opening of its $50 million investment based on a former zinc mine at Lawn Hill.
Major Irrigated Agricultural Development Project a Big Boost for North West
Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General has declared Flinders Shire Council’s proposed 918-hectare irrigated agricultural development a coordinated project, to create jobs and drive sustainable economic activity in the region.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said if approved, the proposed 15 Mile Irrigated Agricultural Development Project on the banks of the Flinders River near Hughenden would create an initial 60-hectares of irrigated land for table grapes and 60-hectares of citrus crops for market.
“Declaring this project a coordinated project will help streamline approvals and fast-track delivery of this regionally significant project,” he said.
Federal Election on agenda at Karumba meeting
Leaders from the eight councils of North West Queensland will meet in Karumba on 7 – 8 August, renewing their drive to shape the future of the region ahead of the next federal election.
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) was established by the eight councils in 2013 to advocate and deliver on agreed priorities for the region.
NWQROC Chair, and Mayor of Carpentaria Shire Council, Cr Jack Bawden said the meeting marked a pivotal point for NWQROC as the region’s importance on state and national agendas continued to grow.