Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Regional Community Forum to discuss post Covid-19 recovery

A forum designed to bring together Mackay Isaac Whitsunday locals with the region’s big stakeholders and government representatives will focus on how to help the region post Covid.

A forum designed to bring together Mackay Isaac Whitsunday locals, regional stakeholders and government representatives will meet to discuss the priorities and projects to continue the region’s economic recovery after Covid-19.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said vaccinations were a crucial part of the process but more was needed.

“The focus of the forum is to support local economic development ideas, and opportunities to further diversify local economies, using connections between regional people and their representatives in Government,” the Premier said.

The Premier said since the Regional Community Forum first launched in October 2019, Mackay Isaac Whitsunday had focused on local manufacturing and small business showcases.

She said these included businesses such as “Marto’s Mangoes in Bowen and Tassal’s high quality and high-tech prawn farm in Proserpine”.

“And they have connected local TAFE with industry leaders, to support better engagement and the scoping of courses that fill existing skill gap,” the Premier said.

MP Julieanne Gilbert will chair the forum in Paget on Monday with Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman and Mackay Isaac Whitsunday forum members expected to be in attendance.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert at the new Mackay Covid-19 vaccination hub at the Mackay Showgrounds Pavilion 500 building. Picture: Heidi Petith

The forum will also include a tour of the purpose-built $46 million Trade Training Centre at CQUniversity’s Ooralea campus and the underground mine simulated training and testing facility at the Resources Centre of Excellence.

Guest speakers from CQUniversity, The Neighbourhood Hub, Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning will also contribute to the forum.

The discussions are expected to examine skills and training opportunities in the region as well as the progress from previous meetings.

“With government, training providers, business and the community working together, we are ensuring local people have the skills and qualifications they need to take on the high quality, high-skilled jobs of the future,” Ms Gilbert said.

“And as we diversify the local economy and lure more people to the region, the input of forum members is ensuring this government meets service demand – particularly for mining communities, and for people seeking mental health support.”