More than 200 Mayors, Councillors, CEOs, sector experts and guest speakers from across rural, remote and regional Queensland have joined the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) Bush Councils convention in Goondiwindi.
The conference from July 25 to 27 is tackling critical issues for the bush from disaster management to housing, tourism, roads and education, to workforce and waste.
“Bush Councils have so much to offer and are an iconic part of our state’s identity,” said LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson.
“But more than that, the bush is a critical driver for the economy, growing and raising the products that keep us all fed, that bring in income from international markets, and dig up the resources that pay so many of our bills.
“The fight for our communities continues on so many fronts – including the fight for fair funding from the State and Federal governments.
“When councils get together like this, it sends a powerful message – that we are here to get the best for our communities, to provide them the liveability all communities deserve regardless of location.”
Guest speakers include Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm, Queensland Minister for Employment, Small Business, Training and Youth Justice, Di Farmer and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Ann Leahy as well as ECQ Commissioner, Pat Vidgen.
Goondiwindi Regional Council Mayor, Lawrence Springborg, welcomed delegates to the region as well as highlighting issues including the impact of renewables major projects on the community.Â
“I’m very, very proud on behalf of our council and indeed the Goondiwindi region to welcome all of the delegates here to the Bush Councils Convention,” Mayor Springborg said.
“We’ve got more than 200 people here from right around Queensland for the three days.
“We believe there are some very important issues here to be discussed. Our job as regional councillors is to learn from each other, to share our experiences,” he said.
