Too much reliance on 1 industry is going to leave this region vulnerable
in the future. A game changer is needed. And planning for it should be
happening NOW. And maybe it could be happening like I described in last
weeks newspaper column.
Top of the agenda was approval for funding a business plan for a bullet
train service linking the Central Queensland coast to Uluru. It had
taken some time for it to finally get to this stage. Some in the room
thought too long. However after much politicking, debate, agreement for
collaborative action and community pressure the combined Councils of
Central Queensland were finally agreeing to take this potential game
changer project to the next stage. The ability to link two
internationally recognised Australian icons – the Great Barrier Reef and
Uluru with an ultra modern form of transport through the heart of
Central Queensland, roughly following latitude 23.5o did appear
marketable. Particularly the maturing market of China and its growing
middle class. The ability to package this unique holiday experience in 7
days with diversity and bucket list locations satisfied the available
secondary research findings. This indeed appeared the potential game
changer Central Queensland was going to need. A game changer to not
only keep the region strong after the resource boom peaks, but for
mining communities like Blackwater to remain sustainable. With a
business plan the combined Central Queensland Councils would push for
the necessary funding and infrastructure. Preliminary discussions with
the Australian owned Hassell to relocate their bullet train research and
development team from Melbourne to CQ University Australia, Rockhampton
campus to work in conjunction with their Centre for Rail Engineering
had already taken place. The State Government were already aware of
plans to lay new tracks between Rockhampton and Gladstone for the bullet
train. The benefits of a safer, more environmentally friendly mode of
transport between the two cities utilised primarily by Gladstone workers
living with their families in the Rockhampton region were becoming
harder to ignore. The business plan would also investigate a second
stage between Rockhampton and Blackwater serving a similar need before
extending the track to Uluru. Thus by satisfying an established need in
its first two stages revenue could be generated as the project
developed. The political environment was deemed more acceptable to the
project chances of obtaining the necessary funding. Community pressure
of the perceived all take and no give by the southern capitals and what
the Central Queensland landscape would look like after the resource boom
– of one littered with holes and hills of over burden trying to sustain
some spindly vegetation was starting to be noticed and talk of
committees being established to report on the concerns were being
discussed during question time.
The time for a game changer for Central Queensland was definitely now.
The poor planning affecting Gladstone massive development was evidence
enough.
Imagine if we don’t start planning now for the post resource boom
period. Without a planned game changer what will happen.
Our future is not to see, it is to create. Community pressure is an
important factor in creating a future we aspire to.