THE need to fast-track housing development, better transport, cutting red-tape for charities, job security and access to home ownership were among the wide-ranging issues canvassed at a regional roundtable on economic reform last Thursday.
About 30 of the region’s key business and community leaders and unions gathered at Jets Leagues Club for the Blair Economic Reform Roundtable hosted by Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann.
Mr Neumann said the roundtable generated a host of practical ideas on how to boost productivity and economic resilience in the region.
The ideas will feed into the Federal Government’s national Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra next week.
The discussion ranged from issues for property developers meeting demand in the city’s rapidly growing western corridor, to housing affordability for workers and pressure on the city’s charity groups.
Federal Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Daniel Mulino was unable to attend in person, but delivered a video message, setting out the Federal Government’s broader growth and productivity agenda.
Presentations from RACQ and Suncorp raised the importance of transport connectivity, well-functioning insurance markets and disaster resilience to the economic sustainability of the region.
University of Southern Queensland Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs) Glen Coleman and author and philanthropist Everald Compton spoke about workforce challenges and intergenerational partnerships and the need to provide pathways from study to employment to encourage people to stay in the region.
Regional Development Australia Ipswich and West Moreton CEO Rees Banks outlined the region’s employment growth and spoke on the productivity benefits of people living close to where they work.
Mr Neumann said he would be writing to Treasurer Jim Chalmers so that the ideas from the Blair reform roundtable could feed into the Government’s national Economic Reform Roundtable.
“Locally, we’ve seen strong economic and jobs growth in recent years, but we’ve got growing pains, and need to be investing in more housing, infrastructure, services and skills to support our high population growth,” Mr Neumann said.
“Ultimately, we want the local economy to deliver for people so they can have access to affordable housing, health and education services, be able to raise a family, and enjoy a good quality of life – we want more locals to live, work and play here in Blair.
“And we want to keep securing good, well-paid jobs for locals, now and into the future, and that means backing local industries, attracting new investment, and equipping people with the skills they need to succeed.”
