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Welcome to the June/July edition of Toward Q2 eNews
These past few months have continued to challenge us as we concentrated on delivering a budget to strengthen our State during these tough economic times.
It’s more important than ever to focus on what we can do together to create the Queensland we want in the future, and not lose track of our priorities for a strong, green, smart, fair and healthy community in the wake of current events.
I recently announced the foundation Q2 Partners and their projects which aim to make Queensland a better place for everyone. These partners are committed to our five ambitions for Queensland and are delivering projects that directly contribute to at least one of our 10 targets.
So let’s all rise to the challenge and work together – our future depends on it.
Anna Bligh MP
Premier of Queensland | | |
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When we launched Q2 last September we knew we had set a big challenge to achieve our ambitions of a strong, green, smart, healthy and fair Queensland.
The Q2 Partners program promotes Queensland projects that work toward achieving the Q2 targets the government set for 2020.
Q2 Partners is one way we can recognise the shared responsibility that business and community organisations are taking Toward Q2.
Each of the 11 foundation partners are delivering projects that directly contribute to at least one of the 10 Q2 targets.
- Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and QMI Solutions for strengthening Queensland’s economy by helping business become more innovative through the Tomorrow’s Industry project.
- Heart Foundation and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LQAG) for the delivery of the Supportive Environments for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating (SEPAHE) project which will help improve Queenslanders health by creating active and healthy communities.
- Suncorp for helping reduce Queenslanders’ sun exposure by providing sun protection to communities through the delivery of the SunWise project.
- Green Cross Australia for helping reduce Queenslanders’ carbon footprint through the Build it Back Green project.
- C&K Pre-schooling Professionals and Childcare Queensland for helping Queensland children access high quality early childhood education through the delivery of 240 kindergarten services.
- Volunteering Queensland and the Bendigo Bank for increasing the number of Queenslanders involved in their community as volunteers through the VolBiz project.
- Surf Life Saving Queensland for the Emergency Response project which is increasing the number of Queenslanders involved in their community as volunteers.
For further information on the Q2 Partners program or to apply to become a Q2 Partner visit www.towardQ2.qld.gov.au | | |
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The Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and QMI Solutions are helping create a stronger Queensland economy through the delivery of the Tomorrow’s Industry project which contributes to strengthening Queensland’s economy by helping business become more innovative.
Delivered across Queensland, the program includes training for our CEOs in job retention strategies to protect our jobs and skills base and keep Queensland’s economy strong.
The Tomorrow’s Industry project is a valuable resource for the community and aims to support the strengthening of the State’s economy and foster the development of innovative business cultures.
More about the Q2 Partners program is available at www.towardQ2.qld.gov.au | | |
| Government response to community consultation | |
 In mid July I released the report in response to the Q2 community consultation which produced more than 4500 ideas from people across Queensland.
The report is a summary of the ideas submitted during community consultation and maps out some of the things government, business, industry and communities are doing to help achieve the Q2 targets.
All ideas submitted through attendance at the forums, letters and emails are available on the Q2 website and will continue to inform the government’s programs, policies and initiatives.
The Q2 Community Consultation: Government Response report is available at www.towardQ2.qld.gov.au
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| Ambassador for 1 Million Women climate change program | |
 As an ambassador for the 1 Million Women project, I encourage all Queenslanders to make a concerted effort to reduce their carbon footprint over the next year.
The 1 Million Women project is a campaign run by women who are committed to protecting our climate and communities through positive change.
The goal of the project is to collectively cut one million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a year. That’s just one tonne of CO2 per person.
The website provides tips and support for how to reduce your footprint and hosts a communal space for women to talk about the steps they’re taking in reaching this goal.
Think green and join the 1 Million Women project to help reach our Q2 target to cut Queensland’s carbon footprint by one-third. Visit www.1millionwomen.com.au for more information. | | |
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 Queensland’s Green Army initiative is part of the government’s response to the global recession and will create new jobs that will enhance our natural assets, strengthen our tourism industry and promote increased environmental awareness.
The government is investing $57 million over three years to create 3000 jobs in Queensland’s Green Army. There will be 2300 green work placements and 700 green traineeships available throughout the State.
Already 21 projects have been approved worth $5.37 million that will give 339 job seekers paid work placement. Participants will be working across the State to create a green and healthy environment for all of us.
Some of the locations Green Army projects will be delivered include Cape York, Gympie, Deception Bay, Cherbourg, Maleny, Marsden, Hervey Bay, Redcliffe, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Bundaberg, the Burdekin and Beenleigh.
Community response to Queensland’s Green Army has been very positive with more than 1250 jobseekers already registering through the hotline and on the internet. Also, 189 organisations have contacted the government about developing Green Army projects.
For information on the Green Army and how to register visit www.greenarmy.qld.gov.au | | |
| Queensland budget building a stronger State | |
 In the latest budget the government announced a record $18.2 billion investment in infrastructure. This means more than $2 million is being invested every hour of every day in building a stronger Queensland.
With a focus on health, education, transport, water and energy, this investment will support 127,000 jobs and stimulate our local economies.
This building program puts in place the infrastructure needed to cater for Queensland’s growth as well as short to medium-term job-generation benefits through the building of roads, hospitals, schools, police and emergency service facilities and social housing.
We’re spending more per person than any other state to put Queensland in a position of strength to ride out the global recession. And we are fulfilling our target to be Australia's strongest economy with infrastructure that anticipates growth. Visit www.budget.qld.gov.au for more information on the latest budget. | | |
| Brisbane CBD congestion busting pilot | |
 Another step forward in easing traffic congestion in Brisbane has begun. A pilot program, which ran from 1 to 26 June, encouraged government and private industry to adopt flexible workplace practices in an effort to ease traffic congestion.
Almost 900 employees from nine government agencies and 11 private organisations in the CBD participated in the pilot. Throughout June, participants changed their typical working hours by working from home (telecommuting), compressing their working week, or working flexible hours.
The pilot is part of a wider program of urban congestion initiatives which will sustain a diverse economy powered by ideas – while protecting our lifestyle and environment.
In a survey of the pilot participants, 92 per cent said they will continue with the flexible arrangements, contributing to easing congestion during peak times.
Workplace flexibility has been found to deliver increased productivity and a happier workforce while reducing traffic congestion. My government will continue to explore flexible work practices with an extended project lead by the Public Service Commission.
Workplaces looking to adopt flexible work practices across Queensland should visit www.transport.qld.gov.au for more information.
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What can we do individually, as communities and as a State to put Queensland out in front?
Share your ideas:
Share your ideas form
by phone 1800 082 105
by mail Policy Development Office, PO Box 15185, City East QLD, 4002
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