June 22, 2021
The need for better mental health services in the Wide Bay-Burnett was a key issue on Monday when Transport Minister Mark Bailey paid a quick visit to Moffatdale.
Mr Bailey was in the region to chair the State Government’s annual Regional Community Forum.
He was accompanied by Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders but Health Minister Yvette D’Ath – who had been scheduled to attend – was an apology due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual forums, established in 2019, aim to gather the views of regional communities across Queensland about their development priorities.
They help State Government Ministers gain a better understanding of the key issues in different parts of Queensland, with the aim of creating better policies and programs that target those issues.
Monday’s forum – held at Dusty Hill Wines – drew delegates from the South Burnett, North Burnett and other parts of Wide Bay.
Deputy Mayor Cr Gavin Jones represented the South Burnett Regional Council as Mayor Brett Otto is currently in Canberra with Crs Kathy Duff and Kirstie Schumacher at the annual Australian Local Government Conference,
Minister Bailey told southburnett.com.au that while many issues were discussed, the need for better mental health services emerged as a “top of mind” matter on the day and was one he will be taking back to Cabinet.
Regional roads were also an issue, but Mr Bailey said the State Government’s Budget commitment to spend almost $130 million on Wide Bay-Burnett roads over the coming four years had met with approval.
Water security, however, had not figured highly in the discussions.
Before the forum got under way, Minister Bailey also visited Kingaroy to inspect work on its new hospital.
He said he was very impressed with the facility and was confident it would serve the South Burnett for several decades.
(Photo: DOPC)
