Gold Coast Community Cabinet
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Deputation from St Vincent de Paul Society
Listening to the views and concerns of all Queenslanders is a high priority for my government and I was delighted that my first Community Cabinet for 2008 was held at the Gold Coast.
The Gold Coast region is vibrant and exciting, making a valuable contribution to the state’s economy. Tourism and industry are vital parts of that contribution and I am pleased to say that sport is also making its mark.
This Community Cabinet coincided with the official opening and Open Day of Skilled Park, the home of the Gold Coast Titans. I was proud to open the magnificent $160 million stadium and I am happy to be associated with this exciting NRL club.
I was also pleased to announce my government’s long-term partnership with Australian University Sport. This means that the Gold Coast will host the Australian University Games four times between 2009 and 2015.
The Gold Coast Community Cabinet was a great opportunity for my Ministers and heads of department to see first-hand the challenges and opportunities of this region and we were able to listen and respond to your questions and concerns in the public forum. Our 109th Community Cabinet featured 145 formal deputations and scores more informal deputations.
Community groups meeting with ministers included Volunteering Gold Coast, St Vincent de Paul Society, Gecko, Mudgeeraba Community Association, Nerang Community Association, Nerang Police Community Consultative Committee, Alzheimer’s Australia on the Gold Coast, the William Duncan State School P&C, the 14th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth, Gold Coast Housing Co., SAPH Vision Quest Association and many more from Beenleigh to Coolangatta.
I enjoyed my visit to the Gold Coast and I thank you for making us so very welcome.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland
Prince kicks winning goal for Skilled Park
The threat of bad weather didn’t deter the 22,000 visitors to the Skilled Park Open Day and official opening on Sunday 17 February.
The day was a great opportunity to test the stadium with a large crowd. Premier Anna Bligh officially opened the new $160 million stadium at Robina, with Gold Coast Titans captain Scott Prince kicking the first goal in front of an excited crowd.
‘I was impressed by the ease with which patrons arrived and departed the stadium and how well the public transport system catered for such a large movement of people,’ Premier Bligh said.
An additional $350,000 for the further development of the Park and Ride at Firth Park was announced by the Premier, bringing the State Government’s contribution to this facility to over half a million dollars.
‘This further upgrade to the Park and Ride facility will make it even easier for the people of the Gold Coast to use public transport to attend Titans matches at this wonderful new stadium,’ Premier Bligh said.
Being water smart at Griffith University
Construction has begun on the Queensland Smart Water Research Facility at Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus.
Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace attended the construction commencement ceremony at the university, along with Member for Southport Peter Lawlor and Member for Broadwater Peta-Kaye Croft.
‘Water management is likely to be one of the most significant issues of this century and this new facility will be leading the way in research in this area,’ Mr Wallace said.
The facility will enhance research undertaken by scientists and students into vital areas such as sustainable water supplies, alternative water sources and water quality. It will house laboratories, distillation rooms and a social science resource centre, as well as outdoor facilities such as wastewater and recycled water pipes and constructed wetlands.
The Bligh Government contributed $10 million from the Smart State Innovation Building Fund to support construction of the facility, due for completion early next year.
Smart green energy solutions
The Queensland Government is offering $100 million in green energy packages to Queenslanders, with the aim of cutting energy use and searching for new energy sources.
Premier Anna Bligh, Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson and Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara are urging businesses and researchers to consider their Smart Energy Savings Fund and Renewable Energy Fund, worth $50 million each.
‘We need to use less energy and we need to find more sources of energy. These funds will encourage both,’ Premier Bligh said.
Minister Wilson said the Smart Energy Savings Fund will be available to businesses, with applications being sought twice a year. Loans of up to 100 per cent of the projects value or a grant for up to half of the capital value will be on offer.
‘The Renewable Energy Fund is offering financial incentives to help fuel Queensland into the 21st century,’ Minister Wilson said.
Minister McNamara said more efficient use of energy is an important step forward in the State Government’s strategy to address climate change.
Gold Coast Youth Service generates support
The Gold Coast Youth Service has been allocated $8990 to help celebrate this year’s Youth Week.
The Youth Service is one of 25 organisations to share in $90,000 to support events throughout Queensland. Youth Week 2008 will be held between 5 and 13 April and has the theme Shout, Share, Live, Unite.
United by Stylz is the event to be hosted by the Gold Coast Youth Service, featuring a series of workshops in fashion, music, dance and drama as well as live performances across the community during Youth Week.
For more information on Youth Week activities and an online competition visit http://www.communityservices.qld.gov.au/youth/
‘Game on’ for University Games
The Australian University Games on the Gold Coast were such a huge success in 2007 that they will be held here on four more occasions between now and 2015.
The Queensland Government has secured a long-term partnership with Australian University Sport to stage the Australian University Games on the Gold Coast every second year, in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
‘Queensland has proven itself as a great location for the Australian University Games. The 2005 Games in Brisbane and the 2007 Games on the Gold Coast both broke records for participation,’ Premier Anna Bligh said.
The Games attract a loyal following and are complemented by an action-packed week-long social program.
Jobseekers sail into the construction industry
Hands-on experience in construction is being offered to 24 Gold Coast jobseekers at the Anglican Sailing Adventures in Life Skills (SAILS) site in Arundel and Youth Point Connect at Runaway Bay.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative is funding the $330,550 Work it Out project.
‘Queensland unemployment is at a low 3.7 per cent but some people in the northern Gold Coast region still have difficulty finding work,’ Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said.
‘Given the construction skills shortage in the area as well, this project provides the opportunity to help jobseekers, industry and the community.’
The first part of the project involves renovating demountables at Runaway Bay, which will be part of a youth centre providing advisory and counselling services, sporting activities and workshops. The second part of the project will include finishing work on a six-bedroom home and community college that will be constructed to lock-up stage by Coral Homes.
The participants will get on-the-job experience in tiling, painting, plastering, joinery, concreting and landscaping, and a construction blue card, job-preparation assistance and post-placement support will be provided as part of the project.
Skilling Queenslanders for Work is part of the State Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan, which aims to provide individuals and industry with the skills and workforce for the 21st century.
Extra dialysis chairs for kidney patients
Kidney patients on the Gold Coast will benefit from a major boost to renal dialysis treatment services at the Gold Coast Hospital.
Minister for Health Stephen Robertson announced an increase in renal dialysis chairs at the hospital from 16 to 25, allowing up to 108 additional dialysis treatment sessions each week.
The additional dialysis chairs at the Gold Coast Hospital come on top of the opening of a new 14-chair renal unit at Robina Hospital last October.
