Case studies
The following are case studies related to the following specific targets:
Strong – Queensland economy
The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry will be a source of strong economic development for Queensland. The government is committed to facilitating and supporting the industry to expand in Queensland while also managing the environmental impact.
The $57 million Green Army program is creating up to 3000 jobs over three years. The program will create traineeships and work placements that will enhance the State's natural assets, strengthen its tourism industry and promote increased environmental awareness.
The Queensland Government is working on a variety of infrastructure projects that provide jobs for Queenslanders and secure vital services for today's and future generations. The South East Queensland water grid will provide safe, secure and efficient water services for South East Queensland.
The recent opening of the $198 million Northern Busway and the $366 million Eastern Busway is ensuring Queenslanders have access to infrastructure that anticipates growth including reliable public transport. These dedicated corridors have taken more than 7000 buses a week off the road, further reducing traffic congestion.
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Strong - Business innovation
Hundreds of high-tech jobs for Brisbane's west could be on the cards with green-tech company RedFlow expanding its zinc-bromine battery factory at Seventeen Mile Rocks.
Funding for three new world-class research institutes to the value of more than $700 million is securing Queensland's international reputation as a leading player in the ongoing quest to crack new scientific frontiers and create a diverse economy powered by bright ideas.
A significant public investment in Australia's first Ecosciences precinct at Dutton Park and the Health and Food Sciences Precinct at Coopers Plains will enable Australian researchers to collaborate with industry and universities in new, world-class facilities. It will also assist in attracting leading scientists and provide a solid base for future discoveries.
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Green - Carbon footprint
Queenslanders are working together to double the state's solar energy over the next five years. Brisbane resident Steve Randall is one of those residents making the most of solar savings in Queensland.
Visitors and residents to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island are now continuing their home recycling actions when out and about enjoying our great state's environment. By separating valuable resources from general waste headed for landfill, the island's 365,000 annual visitors are also helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
1 Million Women is a two year national campaign to engage one million everyday Australian women to each make a commitment to cut one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions in 12 months. The collective goal is to stop 1 million tonnes of emissions from entering the atmosphere - the equivalent to taking 250,000 cars off the road for a year.
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Green - Greenspace
Comprising more than 7000 hectares, Beeron National Park was purchased with funds provided by the state and Australian governments. Located within the extensively cleared Brigalow Belt South bioregion, it is home to several vulnerable regional ecosystems and endangered plant species.
Recreational off-road motorcycling is becoming increasingly popular in Queensland, particularly for families and children. On 30 November 2009, the Queensland Government announced that 745 hectares of state government land at Wyaralong, between Boonah and Beaudesert, will be set aside for South East Queensland's first dedicated regional off-road motorcycling facility
The recent addition of 4540 hectares to the Conway National Park now guarantees that the 'green backdrop' to the south of Airlie Beach will be protected forever, ensuring this 'jewel' of the Whitsunday Coast will continue to shine for visitors and locals. At 26,460 hectares it is the 49th largest national park in Queensland and protects over 20 kilometres of unspoilt coastline and beaches.
For the first time, information about 'land for public recreation' is to be integrated statewide. The Department of Infrastructure and Planning is developing novel methods to provide a baseline value (in hectares) of land for public recreation and to enable annual reporting towards this target.
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Smart - Early childhood education
Emma Marriott is an experienced early childhood education and care professional who has worked in a long day care service in Spring Hill for more than three-and-a-half years, after several years working overseas.
Ensuring all children in remote or disadvantaged areas can access and participate in kindergarten programs is a challenge. The Queensland Government, in partnership with the Australian Government and C&K Pre-schooling Professionals, is currently testing how travelling teachers may be able to reach children in kindergartens, family day care and long day care settings.
The Queensland Government is establishing four Early Years Centres (EYCs). These centres will provide high quality, integrated early childhood education and care, family support and health services; form part of a comprehensive prevention and early intervention service system within their local community; and create strong links with existing child and family services in the community.
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Smart - Training and qualifications
After volunteering for 24 years as a Lifeline telephone counsellor, 77 year old Elizabeth Gough deserves the title ‘Elizabeth Wisdom’ given to her by her colleagues. Wanting to formalise her skills so she could pass her ‘wisdom’ on to junior volunteers, Elizabeth contacted the Queensland Government's Skilling Solutions Queensland service.
Have you ever wondered what drives a successful family business? Gladstone business owner Stephen Smith has found the answer. Having formalised his motor trimming experience by obtaining a Certificate III in Automotive Vehicle Body he is looking forward to expanding his business and recently employed his daughter as an apprentice motor trimmer.
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Healthy - Preventable diseases
Active, healthy communities is a resource package for local government to create supportive environments for physical activity and healthy eating. The Supportive Environments for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Project, a joint initiative of the Heart Foundation, Queensland Health, Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation, Maryborough Shire Council, Toowoomba City Council, Gold Coast City Council, and Urban Research Centre, Griffith University was launched in April 2010.
The Crotty family of Sunnybank Hills knows the value of sustainable transport. They
take regular bike rides as a way to stay healthy and spend time as a family. By participating in the TravelSmart initiative, the Crotty family now has access to personalised information on cycle and walking tracks in their area, giving them even more reason to get out and about and keep active.
Queensland was the first state in Australia to undertake a statewide approach to improve food supply in health facilities with the introduction of A Better Choice Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy for Queensland Health Facilities in September 2007. The strategy became mandatory from 1 September 2008 and is aimed at working toward increasing healthier options to at least 80 per cent of foods and drinks on display while restricting less healthy options to no more than 20 per cent on display.
The Healthy Queenslander Awards invite Queenslanders to share their healthy living initiatives in three categories: communities; schools and workplaces. The inaugural competition was held this year, with more than 330 entries received, and 191 entries short listed for visits by the independent judges. The final four winners and seven highly commended entries are collectively sharing the $1.6 million prize pool.
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Healthy - Hospital waiting times
A $230.9 million investment over four years to upgrade and expand our emergency departments is helping to reach our Q2 target to have the shortest waiting times in Australia.
A 75 year old woman experienced an onset of lower back pain after bending over, which was treated by her GP with the prescription of Voltaren, an anti-inflammatory medication to manage her symptoms. Seven days after the onset, she contacted the Queensland Ambulance Service via Triple Zero complaining again of lower back pain.
Surgery Connect is aimed at improving access to elective surgery services for patients who have been waiting longer than clinically recommended. This innovative strategy helps ease the burden on our public hospitals which are experiencing increasing demands. More than 19,000 patients have been treated since the program's inception in October 2007.
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Fair - Jobless households
Marsden Education Association received $600,000 over two years under the Participate in Prosperity (PiP) program to assist 120 disadvantaged jobseekers who experience multiple barriers to employment. The project targets jobseekers with underpinning issues that restrict labour market engagement such as inadequate health, housing, education and transport
The Youth and Family Service (Logan City) Participate in Prosperity (PiP) program is assisting all people with the capacity to work move into the labour force, including unemployed parents and others who have struggled to break through barriers. The organisation was initially funded for a pilot PiP project and in 2008-09 received a $532,900 grant to continue its work.
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Fair - Volunteering
In 2009, Rural Operations formed a partnership with the Department of Education and Training to provide students at Kilcoy State High School an opportunity to participate in Certificate II in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations). To undertake the program, Year 11 and 12 students (over the age of 16) are required to join the closest Rural Fire Brigade as a Registered Junior.
The Cairns-based Nintiringanyi Cultural Training Centre is using $77,000 funding to deliver the youth motivators development initiative. Through this initiative 25 young Indigenous and Cook Islander people, who have volunteered as mentors at the centre or who have been positive role models through volunteering activity in their local communities, will receive up to $2500 in scholarship funding to access training either through TAFE or other registered training organisations.
A partnership between the State Emergency Service (SES) and Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) will see Surf Lifesavers saving lives beyond the beach. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding, SLSQ's rescue experience and equipment could be called on to help others in natural disasters and emergency response situations.
