Support for job-creating council Battleplan welcomed

Published: 29th April 2020

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) President Mark Jamieson has welcomed a letter of support from Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington for the LGAQ’s Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities.

The $608 million plan – devised by and supported by Queensland councils – is designed to create more than 14,000 jobs from Coolangatta to the Cape and out to Cunnamulla in a boost to local communities and businesses.

The Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities includes job-creating initiatives such as:

  • Jobs Recovery Program: A $200 million statewide program modelled on the successful Works for Queensland initiative to support more than 8,000 jobs and hundreds of locally significant projects, with $100 million earmarked for the state’s southeast.
  • Green Army: A 3,000-strong workforce focused on protecting and improving the environment across the state for the benefit of critical sectors such as agriculture and tourism.
  • Local Government Apprenticeship and Traineeship Guarantee: Providing 800 new or displaced workers with a guaranteed pathway to gain critical experience and skills.

Ms Frecklington commended the LGAQ’s Battleplan in a letter of congratulations sent yesterday afternoon to mayors across the state.

“We are pleased to advise that if the LNP is elected at the next state election we will implement the plan,” Ms Frecklington wrote.

Mayor Jamieson thanked Ms Frecklington for the support of herself and the LNP.

“This $608 million package of initiatives will enable councils to kick-start hundreds of community-building projects to create jobs and ensure money starts flowing to local businesses,” he said.

“This economic stimulus is badly needed to give communities hope and to fast-track the local recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If funded, many councils could start creating jobs within weeks.”

The plan was sent to both the Palaszczuk Government and the LNP Opposition

earlier this month for consideration.

Mayor Jamieson said he was also heartened by the positive conversations that have been taking place with the Queensland Government regarding the Battleplan.

“At the end of the day, this is about what is in the best interests of communities right across Queensland and it is great to see this being recognised by both major parties,” Mayor Jamieson said.

For more information, please contact:
Sarah Vogler, Media Executive
Local Government Association of Queensland