Council to unlock the Region’s potential at Community Cabinet

Published on 22 May 2015

At this weekend’s Community Cabinet in Rockhampton, Council will put forward eleven deputations to the State Government in a bid to highlight some of the Region’s top priorities in need of funding.

Council secured two formal meetings with the Premier and local Member Bill Byrne to discuss two key items on the agenda – the Fitzroy Agriculture Corridor and the push for a permanent military precinct.

Mayor Strelow said the two projects would provide enormous contributions and long term economic benefits extending beyond the Region.

“The Fitzroy Agriculture Corridor will provide sustainable agribusiness opportunities across Central Queensland - growing jobs, infrastructure, horticulture - and our Region will be on the receiving end,” Mayor Strelow said.

Just last month Council also put forward its case for a stronger defence role to  Federal Member  Michelle Landry and Senator Matt Canavan and will deliver a detailed presentation to the Premier on Sunday.  

“We have the capacity and the infrastructure for increased military activity and we are keen to grow a stronger defence future,” she said.

Council has also engaged a professional advocate in Canberra to back up their case.

Other items on the agenda include the request for disaster funding with a focus on Pilbeam Drive and creek catchments.

“We are strongly advocating for disaster funding, and now is an opportune time to put forward our case to Ministers while they are here and especially after having the Deputy Premier witness our worst hit areas during her visit last week,” Mayor Strelow said.

Mayor Strelow says the Community Cabinet is a unique and welcome opportunity for the Region to raise issues with the State Government and encourages residents to attend.

“Councillors, our CEO and General Managers are very much looking forward to presenting our cases to the Ministers and making them aware of the potential that is waiting to be unlocked in our Region.”

Deputations include:

1.       Fitzroy Agriculture Corridor and Lower Fitzroy Infrastructure Project

2.       State 2 of the North Rockhampton Flood Mitigation project

3.       Riverine Repair and Restoration

4.       Military presence in the Region

5.       Mount Morgan Water supply

6.       Pilbeam Drive

7.       Riverfront Revitalisation Project

8.       Rockhampton Ring Road and Third Bridge

9.       Flood Gauging

10.   Electoral Arrangements

11.   Lawrie Street traffic congestion