News from Townsville & North West Queensland

Transcription

1 Developing the long term sustainability of our region News from Townsville & North West Queensland Welcome to Issue 2 of NORTHERN AUSTRALIA CONNECTIONS Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland (RDA) regularly publishes a monthly newsletter Community Connections for stakeholder organisations and community members in the Townsville and North West Queensland region. Today we send to you our Northern Australia Connections newsletter for stakeholder organisations and friends who are living outside our dynamic and beautiful region spanning the Gulf, Outback and Great Barrier Reef. Quick Facts on the Townsville and North West Queensland region Area 449,190km 2 equating to 25.9% of Queensland; 15 local government areas; growing population of 269,730 equating to 5.8% of the State; Townsville is the largest city in Northern Australia with a population of 189,238; Major regional industries include mining and minerals processing, agriculture including the beef industry, defence and government administration, services including scientific research, education, training, transport and tourism; Gross Regional Product of $18.4 billion The Year in Reflection On Page 2 and 3, our Chairman Paul Woodhouse reflects on the past year and our key areas of focus and activities as linked to our Regional Roadmap and Business Plan. RDA support of regional projects RDA has supported a wide range of projects in the region and is particularly proud of the projects we supported to obtain funding in the Regional Development Australia Fund. An update on these projects is provided in the following pages. Thank you for your support of RDA throughout the year and I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous new year! I look forward to working with you in 2015! Best wishes Glenys Schuntner Chief Executive Officer RDA Commi ee Mr Paul Woodhouse Ms Lyn McLaughlin Mr Jeff Jimmieson Mr David Kippin Chairman Deputy Chair Treasurer Secretary Paul joined RDA in Re ring from local government a er serving 12 years as Mayor and Councillor of McKinlay Shire Council to follow other interests, Paul is a primary producer in north west Queensland. Lyn joined RDA in She is a former Mayor and Councillor of Burdekin Shire Council and represents the region on several commi ees. Lyn is a primary school teacher. Jeff Jimmieson is the Manager of Performing Arts, Events and Protocol for Townsville City. He has had an extensive career in event management, public rela ons and the performing arts, both in local government and private enterprise. His community service includes board memberships of PCYC and Rotary. David brings 34 years of experience in Banking, Finance and Interna onal Trade, including 3 years in senior management and execu ve posi ons in Melbourne. He was CEO of a leading second er accoun ng and financial services company in Queensland and runs his own consul ng company. Cr Rick Bri on Prof. Sabina Knight Cr Greg Jones Posi ons Vacant Rick was elected to Boulia Shire Council in 2007 and has served as Mayor since Rick and his wife Ann own and operate the cattle station Goodwood Pastoral Company. Sabina is the Director of the Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health and is an interna onally recognised rural health leader with an extensive career in remote and rural primary health care, public health and educa on, and community development. Greg is the Mayor of Flinders Shire where he has served as a Councillor since Greg and wife Carole operate an Electrical, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning business in Hughenden. People interested in nomina ng for the Commi ee can find more informa on at h p://rda.gov.au/node/15 Also please do not hesitate to call Glenys Schuntner, CEO on for a discussion about the role. Page 1

2 2014 RDA s year in reflec on Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! On behalf of the Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland Committee and staff, I would like to thank you for your support of RDA again during We have enjoyed working with all three levels of government to facilitate and advocate the interests of the 15 local government areas of the vast RDA Townsville and North West Queensland region. Below are a few highlights of the year in accordance with the Key Performance Indicators that are set in our funding agreement with the Federal Government through the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. RDA is working closely with the Northern RDA Alliance of 8 RDA Committees and the Federal Government to highlight issues and opportunities for the development of Northern Australia. RDA is collaborating with the three other RDA Committees in Northern Queensland to work on joint issues and opportunities for regional development. This work included a major study on agricultural distribution, road transport and aviation across Northern Queensland. RDA_Northern-Queensland-Strategy_Final-Report.pdf Working groups are now addressing key issues and opportunities. RDA has taken the lead on a State-wide roads project to develop an Inland Queensland Roads Action Plan to encourage greater collaboration across jurisdictions, prioritisation of works to improve productivity and support regional development and secure more funding. RDA has ensured a strong regional voice in regard to Federal and Queensland Government inquiries through submissions ( to the following: Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper Defence White Paper Development of Australia White Paper Resources Q Queensland Plan ACCC Inquiry into domestic transmission capacity Queensland Competition Authority - Retail electricity price regulation review Australian Government Dept of Communications - Review of mobile coverage Page 2

3 2014 RDA s year in reflec on (cont) Regional Roadmap Update RDA has represented regional development interests in a wide range of Committees such as: Northern Queensland Irrigated Agriculture Strategy P. Woodhouse Sustainable Resource (Energy/ Pentland study) Committee P. Woodhouse Townsville Economic Development Plan Steering Committee P. Woodhouse Townsville Economic Development Plan Implementation Committee G. Schuntner NQ ROC- Regional Economic Development Sub-Committee G. Schuntner Broadband for the Tropics G. Schuntner NWQ Strategic Development Study (Carpentaria Minerals Province Stage 2) Committee G. Schuntner NQ Regional Managers Coordination Network G. Schuntner NWQ Regional Managers Coordination Network G. Schuntner Townsville Digital Economy Strategy Implementation Committee G. Schuntner NQ Economic Development Practitioners Network G. Schuntner During the year RDA has regularly distributed information about Federal and Queensland Government and private sector grants and programs that support regional development to more than 1,000 subscribers through 15 Community Connections ( newsletters and 8 News Flashes. Our frequently updated website content has attracted more than 300,000 hits, 159,000 page views and 73,000 user sessions. RDA has held six Committee meetings in Mount Isa and Townsville and our CEO has travelled extensively across the region, meeting with representatives from government departments, councils, economic development organisations, chambers of commerce, natural resource management groups and many others. RDA promoted the launch of the National Stronger Regions Fund and conducted workshops and individual meetings to support project proponents with information to strengthen their applications. Letters of support were provided for many projects. RDA published a new brochure to introduce the Committee, the Regional Roadmap and the region. The brochure was the winner in its category at the Queensland Multi-Media Awards. Nationally RDA has been through an initial review and a more detailed review is ahead of us. In the meantime, the volunteers on the Committee have continued to generously give their time and expertise to helping develop our great region. Our Committee members are Lyn McLaughlin, (Deputy Chair), David Kippin (Secretary), Jeff Jimmieson (Treasurer), Prof Sabina Knight, Cr Eric (Rick) Britton, and Cr Greg Jones. I also wish to thank and acknowledge our recently retired members Dr Scott Crawford, Mike Westerman and Jeremy Moffat. On behalf of our team, I wish to once again thank you for your support and like to wish you, your staff and families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our Committee members and staff led by CEO Glenys Schuntner all look forward to working with you in 2015 to make it a great year for the Townsville and North West Queensland region. Yours faithfully, Paul Woodhouse Chairman Page 3

4 Regional Development Australia Fund Update Round 2 ACT for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence On 26 May Mrs Tarnya Smith MP and Mr John Hathaway MP officially opened the Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence in Townsville. The flagship facility will lead the way in national child protection by providing best-practice therapeutic support for abused and neglected children, and early support for families at risk. In 2012, Act for Kids was awarded $3.4million from the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) Round 2 and $600,000 from Queensland Government s Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services towards the $4.6million development of the centre, built on the land donated by James Cook University. Auto & General Insurance, Subway Australia and many of Act for Kids supporters have generously contributed $170,000 towards completing the facility. The playground for the centre was funded by the Non School Organisations Program (NSO) of the Queensland Government s Department of Education, Training and Employment. The Act for Kids Child and Family Centre of Excellence includes: purpose-built therapy spaces and a specialist preschool with indoor and outdoor play areas for abused and neglected children improved office facilities to accommodate delivery of outreach parenting support and programs a child friendly outdoor play and meeting space for families and for Act for Kids and other community organisations to conduct parenting programs a training centre for professional development workshops, undergraduate subjects and postgraduate courses developed in partnership with James Cook University a child protection and development research centre to promote evidence based practice, evaluate services and inform program and policy development. Act for Kids CEO, Dr Neil Carrington, said it s exciting to see our vision for the region s most advanced therapeutic centre become a reality. Not only will the centre be a family friendly facility for community use, it will also enable us to increase the capacity and capability of the human services sector in the region, create safer home environments for children, increase community awareness of children s needs and provide better access for Indigenous children and families, Dr Carrington said. Renée McAllister, Act for Kids North Queensland Regional Director, has also expressed her great enthusiasm for the opening of the Child and Family Centre of Excellence. The purpose-built centre combined with research and education will go a long way to addressing North Queensland s growing need for child and family support services, by providing evidence-based therapy and interventions that will improve the outcomes and future for thousands of children and families, Renée said. For further information, visit Celebrating the opening on 26 May, 2014 (from the left) Ms Patricia Brand, JCU Mr John Hathaway MP, Member for Townsville Dr Neil Carrington, ACT for Kids Mrs Tarnya Smith MP, Assistant Minister for Child Safety Ms Glenys Schuntner, RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Committee Page 4

5 Regional Development Australia Fund Update Round 3 Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council s Palm Island Floating Pontoon On 16th July, 2014, the new Palm Island Floating Pontoon jetty was opened by the Hon Scott Emerson MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Cr Alf Lacey, Mayor of Palm Island and Councillors, Mr Walter Palm Island Junior and Mr Allan Palm Island in the presence of the Hon Campbell Newman MP, Premier of Queensland and Ms Lyn McLaughlin, Deputy Chair and Committee members Mr David Kippin and Mr Jeff Jimmieson of the RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Committee. In May 2013 under Round 3 of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF), Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council was awarded $500,000 for the construction of a floating pontoon on Palm Island, to enable all tidal access for ferry services. The total value of the project is $1.5 million plus in-kind, with contributions also provided by the Queensland Government ($500,000), Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council ($500,000) and Sealink Queensland ($200,000). This project will ensure more frequent and affordable connectivity between Palm Island and Townsville and the northern Queensland region and will open up economic and social opportunities that did not exit with limited tidal access. Local firm the Pacific Marine Group completed the works. Above photo courtesy of Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council Round 3 Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre s Acquisition and Fit-out of Flood Proof Premises ON 1st August, 2014, the Hub - the new Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre was opened with Deputy Chair of the RDA Townsville and North West Queensland Committee participating in the opening ceremony. In May 2013 under Round 3 of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF), the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre was awarded $500,000 for the acquisition and fit-out of expanded flood-proof premises. The premises are now occupied by the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre and Ingham Disability Services. The total value of the project is $800,000, with the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre funding the remainder of the cost. The new building is owned by the Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre and is therefore a community asset. The Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre is responsible for the ongoing maintenance and repair of the building. They have created a self funding model, which offers attractive short and long term office rental packages to like minded service delivery partners. Colocation also creates efficiencies in organisational costs such as administration support, IT hardware and support, reception and accounting personnel, enabling more dollars to be spent on direct benefits to clients. Operating from the new building is allowing Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre s community services delivery to double and enable Hinchinbrook Community Support Centre to form a hub of social service provision in Ingham, including providing office space to visiting counselling, health and social services. The social services hub includes the existing building on Townsville Road which will be used to provide a community meeting space, community development opportunities as well as lower cost office space. HCSC's increased office space will now allow it to expand its services in community support into areas of emerging need within the Hinchinbrook community, particularly men's support and youth needs. Page 5

6 ISSUE 31 March 2013 RDA Regional Development Australia Townsville and North West Queensland Committee members and staff wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We also wish to advise that our office will be closed from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 December (inclusive) and will reopen on Monday 29 December. Contact Phone info@rdanwq.org.au Mail PO Box 1669, Townsville, QLD 4810 Page 6