QLD Plan the Sequel

Central Office of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is to move from Ann Street, Brisbane to Rockhampton. My attempt at an April Fool’s Day Joke; not funny but could it happen? A new date has been set for the Regional Qld Showcase. Haven’t heard of it! It was to be held this year on February 13 & 14, an early state election derailed it to an April date, then I assume the result of the election put a question mark if it was to go ahead. June 12 & 13 has now been announced. Hopefully a possible by-election doesn’t change this. Why is a display of what makes regional Queensland a great place to live, work, learn and invest so politically sensitive, especially considering its low public profile? It was proposed in the LNP’s Queensland Plan to help encourage greater population growth outside the south east corner of the state. The 2044 goal for the remainder of the state population to double at the expense of slower growth rate in the south east corner, (however the original floor plan for Regional Qld Showcase included south east Queensland!). The Showcase was thus always political as much as a regional; a tangible platform to reassure regional Queenslanders that George Street was serious about decentralisation. The announcement of the June dates could indicate the new state government is not only supportive of decentralisation (they’ve got to say that) but some of the actions listed in the Queensland Plan to achieve the 100% regional population growth. One such action was move the Central Offices (and jobs, thus public servants and their families) of some Government departments from Brisbane to the regions. With the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries as well as National Parks, Sport and Racing being the Member for Rockhampton could one of these Central Offices move to Rockhampton; closer to what they administer? Only an April Fool might believe this! But what is promising is that Regional Qld Showcase looks like happening, its internet content does not include the south east corner as a Queensland region and the new government does have decentralisation of the state on its agenda. Let’s now hear the plans both state and local governments will action to boost regional Queensland population and growth.