Cassowary Coast Regional Council: Ministerial meetings During the Sitting of Regional Parliament in FNQ

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Published
15th May 2023

During the week of 9-11 May 2023, the Queensland Legislative Assembly met in Cairns for the regional sitting of the Queensland Parliament. This provided Local Government, community and industry leaders and representatives a rare opportunity to meet with elected representatives and the leadership of Queensland Government departments and agencies within our region of Far North Queensland.

Ministerial deputations with Mayor Nolan and Councillors, Council Leadership, Mr. Nick Dametto MP and Mr Shane Knuth MP advocated for and discussed a range of projects and priority issues including matters outlined in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Advocacy Plan 2023.

Issues addressed during a meeting with the Hon Dr Steven Miles Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Games Infrastructure included:

  • Port Hinchinbrook Normalisation including the Sewerage Treatment Plant and One Mile Creek dredging
  • Innisfail CBD Masterplan
  • 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games opportunities

Council’s meeting with the Hon Meaghan Scanlon, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs included:

  • Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan
  • National Feral Pig Action Plan 2021-2031
  • Port Hinchinbrook Normalisation including the Sewerage Treatment Plant and One Mile Creek dredging

The 2022 Community Scorecard clearly articulated Health and Community Services as a priority area for our community. Council has engaged with the North Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN) to seek collaborative, place-based solutions for primary health care. Council representatives, together with the CEO of the NQPHN, met with the Hon Yvette D’Ath, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services and put forward a proposal for a localised and collaborative, multi-disciplinary primary healthcare service model that responds to our community’s needs.

Mr Shane Knuth MP and Council representatives met with the Hon Dr Steven Miles to discuss matters associated with marine access for the Johnstone River. 

Mayor Nolan said that “the Ministerial meetings are part of Council’s ongoing advocacy and delivery of our corporate and strategic objectives.

“We have listened to our community through the 2022 Community Scorecard and are taking these priorities forward through strategic opportunities as presented through the sitting of Parliament in Cairns.

“Council thanks the Ministers and their teams and the Departmental Executives for providing us with this opportunity which we highly value. 

“We also thank our local Queensland Legislative Assembly Members, Mr Nick Dametto and Mr Shane Knuth, for proactively supporting and advocating for our priorities during our meetings with the Hon Dr Miles Deputy Premier and the Hon Minister Scanlon. 

“Our Cassowary Coast Regional Council Team looks forward to continuing to work with all levels of government and community to deliver sustainable outcomes that contribute to making our region a great place to live, work and play.”

For further information contact Council at 1300 763 903 or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au.