CHRC’s compelling case for a better deal

Fifty-cent fares and tunnels might be fine for the southeast, but issues vital to the people and industries of the Central Highlands were on the table during high-level ministerial meetings led by the Mayor Janice Moriarty and Deputy Mayor Rachael Cruwys in Brisbane this week.

Cr Moriarty, Cr Cruwys and Acting Chief Executive Officer Ross Musgrove put a compelling case to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie, Treasurer David Janetzki and other front-bench ministers for a better deal for the Central Highlands and mining regions in general.

Of the tens of billions of dollars collected in mining royalties a fairer share should flow back to the Central Highlands to fill potholes and fix dangerous roads, improve hospitals, schools, community housing and other services.

Council sought approval from Treasurer Janetzki and support from Local Government Minister Ann Leahy to establish a Future Fund that would invest a percentage of mining rates. Once established, investment income from the fund would supplement general operating costs and help underwrite council’s long-term financial stability.

Meeting with Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg, Cr Moriarty and Cr Cruwys put forward the case for raising Emerald’s Vince Lester Bridge, as part of an all-round better road funding deal, improved access for Type 2 road trains and a start date for the $500 million Beef Roads sealing program.

Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Minister Andrew Powell undertook to examine council’s request to extend its main landfill site at Lochlees Rd, east of Emerald, into adjacent state-owned land. With the existing site nearing end-of-life, being able to extend would negate having to build a new facility or truck waste up to 90 km to other landfills.

Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth Sam O’Connor was invited to visit to gain a better understanding of the critical need for more affordable and flexible housing options, not just in Emerald but across the region, including staff accommodation at Blackwater Hospital along with aged care units.

At all ministerial meetings, including with new Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor pressed for changes to the Resources Communities Infrastructure Fund so money could be spent maintaining and upgrading existing facilities rather than being restricted to new builds.

Meetings with key stakeholder groups AgForce, Queensland Farmers Federation, Cotton Australia, Queensland Resources Council, and the Local Government Association of Queensland were also held, as well as with Queensland Cotton and coal companies Anglo American and Bowen Coking Coal for company and sector updates – which included Queensland Cotton’s plans for multi-million dollar upgrades to its Emerald cotton gin.

Mayor and Deputy with Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership David Janetzki. Deputy Mayor Rachael Cruwys, Mayor Janice Moriarty with AgForce CEO Michael Guerin (right) and AgForce General President Shane McCarthy (via video link from Hughenden). Mayor Janice Moriarty, Deputy Mayor Rachael Cruwys and acting CEO Ross Musgrove with Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie (centre) and chief of staff Nathan Ruhle. Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Mayor and Deputy with Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy. Mayor and Deputy and acting CEO with Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg (second from left). Mayor and Deputy and acting CEO with Minister for Natural Resources and Mines and Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Dale Last (centre). Mayor and Deputy with Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth Sam O’Connor. Mayor, Deputy Mayor and acting CEO Ross Musgrove meeting with Queensland Farmers Federation CEO Jo Sheppard (left) and Cotton Australia General Manager Michael Murray (second from right). Mayor and Deputy Mayor at Queensland Cotton’s Brisbane headquarters for an update on the company’s plans for multi-million dollar upgrades to its Emerald cotton gin. Queensland Resources Council CEO Janette Hewson (left) with Mayor and Deputy Mayor.