PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk will bring her cabinet to the Redlands on November 26.
“It will be a great opportunity for my ministers and me to visit this great region and get out and talk to locals about issues that are important to them,” Ms Palaszczuk said in Parliament on Thursday.
Redlands MP Kim Richards said she and Capalaba MP Don Brown were really pleased cabinet was coming to the Redlands.
“I have been advocating strongly with the premier for cabinet to be held in Redlands,” Ms Richards said.
“Cabinet in community has been wonderful in other regions recently as was seen in Toowoomba and Mackay.
Mayor Karen Williams said she welcomed the news and had asked the premier a number of times to bring her cabinet to the Redlands.
“There are a great deal of challenges faced in the Redlands that require state government support,” Cr Williams said.
“We have recently seen the loss of 200 local jobs and the state government’s transition of North Stradbroke Island will undoubtedly deliver further economic challenges.”
Ms Palaszczuk said the government was committed to investing in the Redlands.
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“This year's state budget includes a number of initiatives and projects that will boost the economy and create jobs,” she said.
“These include the North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy.
“We are focused on tourism and soon construction will start on the $7.2 million Victoria Point central bus station.”
Cr Williams said the visit was timely as council was undertaking a transport strategy.
“With the majority of roads in and out of the city being and public transport being state controlled, they will play a critical role in this strategy so I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with the premier,” she said.
“In particular the duplication of the Cleveland Rail line, funding for the SMBI ferry terminals, upgrades to state roads including Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and the delivery of an Eastern Busway business case.”
Cr Williams said the Redlands was not often considered a region due to its proximity to Brisbane but the city faced challenges comparable to those in many regional areas.
Other key projects on Cr Williams’ agenda would include the proposed Surf Life Saving Queensland centre of excellence.
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said he hoped the premier would make new commitments to the Redlands.
“I hope that it will be more than a talkfest and public relations exercise, and they’ll show Redlands new money,” Mr Robinson said.
“It is an opportunity for this Labor government to make some new significant commitments to big ticket items, not recycle old small commitments.
“We need a real hospital upgrade (like Nambour, Caloundra, Ipswich Logan are getting), rail duplication, road duplication, Straddie infrastructure like Dunwich harbour, more police resources, Wellington Point High School hall fix, Ormiston State School buildings kept, among other things to choose from.”