Regional Community Forum 2022

The region’s housing crisis and hospital funding and controversies in both Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast were front and centre as two MPs headed a community forum.

Housing, health and tourism were amongst key issues discussed by the community and local MPs at this year’s Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum.

The forum, which was held in Bundaberg on Monday, was part of a new round of Regional Community Forums for locals in regional communities to discuss what they believe the government should focus on in their areas.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard said the forums were “powerful” ways for the government to listen to key issues raised in Queensland communities as well as provide solutions.

Strong topics of conversation included housing, which Ms Linard said was a pressure “felt across the state”.

Other key topics were economic development progress around water supply and security.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith speaks with locals at the Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum 2022.

Speaking to reporters about health, Bundaberg MP Tom Smith challenged Burnett MP Stephen Bennett on the allegations around two separate Bundaberg Hospital matters, one regarding a nurse administering medication and another regarding a nurse accessing medication.

He said Mr Bennett must have evidence to support his claims.

When asked about Hervey Bay Hospital upgrades, Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari said the government had already implemented a number of projects and programs to upgrade the hospital.

He highlighted investments like the $35 million health hub and $12 million invested in ongoing funding for the emergency department.

“We have got a budget coming, I won’t preempt what’s going to be in that budget, but I believe that budget will be good for Hervey Bay,” he said.

The group that attended Monday’s Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum will be together for two years.

Regarding other projects in Hervey Bay, Mr Tantari mentioned he was looking at funding for the Urangan Boat Harbour Precinct redevelopment.

“The redevelopment of the TAFE site - that will be an area that I will be looking at very strongly as well...” he said.

Mr Smith doubled down on three big projects he would be lobbying for which were Paradise Dam, Bundaberg Hospital and the Port of Bundaberg.

He said he would work with the Federal Government on investment in the Port of Bundaberg to expand the industry and create more jobs.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith, Multicultural Affairs Minister Leanne Linard and Hervey Bay MP Adrian Tantari were some of the politicians at the Wide Bay-Burnett-Fraser Coast Regional Community Forum held in Bundaberg on Monday.

Mr Tantari said the forum was a vitally important process for community members to get together and talk about the issues that mean the most to them.

Mr Smith also highlighted the forums were opportunities for gathering ideas from the community, explaining he was excited about agritourism in Bundaberg.

In a statement, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new membership for the forums in 2022 would continue the diversity of experience, ideas and interests in regional Queensland.

“Since 2019, our Regional Community Forums have helped to strengthen partnerships in rural and regional areas, collaborating on local solutions for local issues,” she said.