Journey to 2043: Central Highlands begins community visioning roundtables

Artificial intelligence, global supply chains, the impacts of social media, new business opportunities, local manufacturing, transport connectivity, the environment and housing are just some of the issues expected to be discussed in a series of future-focused roundtables beginning in the Central Highlands next week.

Part of the Your Region, Your Vision community visioning process, the roundtables will bring the community together to develop a regional vision and 13 community-specific visions.

The first two roundtables take place in Capella and Tieri on 12 June, followed by Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, Bluff, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Gemfields, Rolleston and Springsure.

Mayor Kerry Hayes urged community members and businesses to get involved in the roundtables and take advantage of this rare opportunity to shape the region.

‘With our busy schedules and the pace of change in our world we can find it difficult to look past the now to the future,’ said Mayor Kerry Hayes.

‘Through this focused process, we can work together to understand and plan for the future and I am calling on everyone with a connection to the Central Highlands to take part in the roundtables or the online survey and share your visions for the future.

‘The visions we develop together will include your aspirations and priorities and guide community, business and council investment and planning for the next 20 years,’ He said.

Arts groups and sporting clubs, youth and senior citizens, charities and religious congregations, schools and apprentices, Indigenous communities, environmental groups, farmers and industry, businesses large and small, investors, visitors and regular community members can take part in the roundtables and survey.

Fifteen roundtables will be held across the region from 12 to 22 June. For anyone unable to make these face-to-face sessions, an online roundtable will be held on 21 June. There is also a survey that can be completed at any time until 9 July. A draft vision for the region and one each for the 13 communities will be revealed in October before the final visions are adopted and announced in December.

To register for a roundtable or complete the online survey, visit the Central Highlands Regional Council’s Have Your Say webpage.

To complete a paper survey, please visit a council library or customer service centre.