WQAC Inaugural Assembly Communique
Western Queensland Alliance of Councils Inaugural Assembly
Longreach: 27-28 July 2020
COMMUNIQUE
The Inaugural Assembly of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) was held in the Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 July 2020.
“Importantly, the creation of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils was endorsed by member councils, Federal and State Government representatives and other guests as a proactive, timely and constructive initiative which would lead to improved outcomes for Western Queensland, the State and the nation.”
The Assembly represents a historic move by the North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) and the South West Local Government Association (SWLGA) to formalise how the three regions can work together to serve the common interests of Western Queensland. By creating a united voice, the Alliance aims among other things to attract greater public and political attention to the challenges and opportunities facing Western Queensland communities and will act as a cohesive and coordinated forum to engage with government and other interested parties.
With the exception of Burke Shire Council and Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, all member councils were represented at the Assembly by their Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Chief Executive Officers. Also attending were Australian and Queensland Government Ministers, a Queensland Senator, State Government Local Members, State Government Directors General, Senior Australian and Queensland Government agency and department officers, President and CEO of the Local Government Association of Queensland, sponsor representatives and media. The Prime Minister also sent a message to Assembly delegates via video thanking local government elected members for their hard work on the back of dealing with drought, floods and now the global pandemic of COVID-19.
A presentation on the external environment set the scene for the Assembly and highlighted the impacts of COVID-19 on Western Queensland; how its key industries of agriculture and resources are critical to supporting the State’s economy, which, based on current data are outperforming the rest of the nation.
With this context in mind, speakers and guest presenters discussed the opportunities and continued potential of Western Queensland if ‘place based’ policies / programs and adequate and long-term investment was focussed on:
economic infrastructure, such as roads and water to support industry growth in both traditional and emerging industries;
community infrastructure and services such as housing and health to support decentralisation and population retention;
digital connectivity infrastructure and programs to support economic development through remote working and entrepreneurial activities, especially given the COVID-19 recession;
addressing workforce trends such as ‘fly in fly out’ arrangements which are often detrimental to community cohesiveness and wellbeing; and
regionally targeted disaster management responses and programs that support timely and coordinated assistance to impacted communities.
In addition to these discussions, delegates engaged in a panel session with members of the Alliance’s Leadership Group (ROC Chairs and Deputy Chairs) to confirm the Alliance’s vision, scope, governance arrangements and working relationships with government, the LGAQ and other interested parties.
Importantly, the creation of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils was endorsed by member councils, Federal and State Government representatives and other guests as a proactive, timely and constructive initiative which would lead to improved outcomes for Western Queensland, the State and the nation.
The key outcomes from the Assembly include:
Adoption of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) setting out the guiding principles, membership, governance and operational arrangement for the Alliance.
Receipt of the Draft Western Queensland Alliance of Councils 2020 State Election Platform, which, once finalised will be presented to all major parties contesting the State Election in October 2020.
The Assembly concluded by agreeing that the next steps for the Alliance should involve:
A dedicated focus and heightened advocacy campaign in the lead up to the State Election;
Continued discussion through the Leadership Group and respective ROCs about medium and longer term priorities for the Alliance;
Fostering strong relationships with the Queensland and Australian Governments recognising their role as key providers of funding, policies and programs directly relevant to Western Queensland; and
Building the brand and reputation of the Alliance as the ‘unified voice for all of Western Queensland’.