CQROC takes united voice to Canberra to drive key infrastructure projects for Central Queensland

The Central Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (CQROC) embarked on its first federal delegation to Canberra this week to present the ‘Reef to Red Ridge’ document in support of funding for seven key major infrastructure projects for Central Queensland.

Mayor Bill Ludwig, who led the delegation as Chairman, said the CQROC, representing five local governments working in unison, spoke with the powerful united voice Central Queensland needs to advocate for increased Federal and State investment in infrastructure and services that will underpin Central Queensland’s future economic growth.

“The strategic ‘Reef to Red Ridge’ document outlines key infrastructure projects that highlight the critical areas where Federal and State Governments must invest strategically and work collaboratively with Local Governments to build stronger and more resilient agricultural, tourism, industrial and transport sectors here in Central Queensland,” Mayor Ludwig said.

“These identified projects were specifically chosen as essential to unlocking the potential of Central Queensland region and equally critical in also attracting, encouraging and enabling the major private sector investment needed to generate job opportunities.

“This combined vision can only be achieved by the Central Queensland Local Governments, State and Federal Governments working in unison to deliver the critical infrastructure needed to realise our region’s full potential.

“The delegation met with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Senator Matthew Canavan, Assistant Minister Children and Families Michelle Landry as well as other key senior federal ministerial advisors.

“We also made presentation the Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and relevant Shadow Ministers to call for bipartisan support from all sides of Parliament to realise and deliver the critical ‘Reef to Red Ridge’ portfolio of projects.

“CQROC will be meeting in the New Year with the State Government, and will also be joining forces with other regions including the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors as well as the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) to emphasise the critical importance and combined integrated scope of the major projects being put forward by Regional Queensland.

“Working together across regions will give us and even more powerful voice and be a catalyst for securing the funding necessary for the vital infrastructure our collective regions need and deserves to drive economic growth and prosperity in our respective Local Government areas,” Mayor Ludwig said.

Priority Projects

7 key projects for CQROC:

•A-double heavy vehicle freight corridor from central and western Queensland to the Port of Gladstone •Facilitate a successful Yamala Enterprise Area, dependent on safe functional network of feeder roads from the region’s south •Link the inland rail to the Port of Gladstone •Seal a vital west-east agricultural transport link with a total upgrade to the Springsure-Tambo Road network •Rejuvenate Great Keppel Island with backbone infrastructure common-user power, water and telecommunications •Secure a Central Queensland water supply via the construction of Nathan Dam on the Dawson River) •Attract major events to the Yeppoon Foreshore by supporting the Keppel Bay Convention and Sporting Hub Project

Core representation of Mayors and Deputy Mayors represented on CQROC

•Livingstone Shire Council •Gladstone Regional Council •Banana Shire Council •Central Highlands Regional Council •Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council