Regional Development Australia Townsville and NWQ

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 — 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁.

Last week, our CEO Dr Lisa McDonald and Acting Chair, Maria James joined Regional Development Australia Chairs and CEOs from across Queensland in Brisbane for a series of discussions focused on the future of regional and rural Queensland.

The visit included the quarterly RDA Queensland Network meeting and valuable discussions with Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development Dale Last - Member for Burdekin, and Queensland’s first Special Commissioner for Regional and Rural Queensland, Andrew Cripps QLD.

The discussions reinforced a message that resonates strongly across our region: Queensland's future prosperity is intrinsically linked to the success of its regional communities.

From workforce development and infrastructure investment to housing, industry growth and liveability, many of the opportunities shaping the state's future are being driven from regional Queensland.

A particular focus was the importance of genuine collaboration between Queensland’s network of RDAs and the Queensland government. Delivering meaningful outcomes for regional communities requires all levels working together with a shared understanding of local opportunities and challenges.

It was also great to connect with familiar regional leaders, including former RDA Townsville and North West Queensland CEO and now Member for Hinchinbrook, Wayde Chiesa MPiesa, and Queensland Premier David Crisafulli MP.

Regional Queensland contributes significantly to the state's economy, workforce and future growth. Ensuring regional voices are heard, understood and represented in decision-making remains critical to achieving sustainable outcomes for communities across Queensland.

This Wednesday, the State of the Region Roadshow is coming to Mount Isa.

Join Dr Lisa McDonald and Matt Kelly for independent insights into the major projects, workforce trends, investment activity and opportunities shaping the future of Mount Isa and the North West.

Featuring guest speakers, a regional panel discussion and audience Q&A.

📍 The Stack, Mount Isa Civic Centre
📅 Wednesday 10 June
🕔 From 5pm

Free public event. Registrations essential.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1990540074948?aff=oddtdtcreator

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀.

Our CEO, Dr Lisa McDonald, recently joined regional leaders in Gladstone to discuss the opportunities, challenges and priorities shaping the future of regional Queensland.

The meeting provided an opportunity for Regional Development Australia committees to discuss shared priorities, emerging opportunities and the challenges shaping the future of regional Queensland.

Conversations focused on workforce development, infrastructure, industry growth, energy transition and the importance of strong regional collaboration.

A highlight of the visit was a tour of the Port of Gladstone, including a firsthand look at wind turbine blades ready for transport to renewable energy projects across Queensland.

It was a powerful reminder of the scale of investment underway and the significant opportunities these projects present for regional communities, businesses and workers.

Regional Queensland is playing an increasingly important role in Australia's economic future and collaboration between regions will be critical to ensuring we maximise the benefits of major projects, investment and workforce growth.

Thank you to our RDA colleagues for the valuable discussions and shared commitment to supporting strong, sustainable regional development.

📸 1. Pictured clockwise from Left, Stephen Smith CEO of Regional Development Australia - Central and Western Queensland , Robert Cocco CEO of Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays and Lainie P**n, Regional Development Australia Tropical North

📸 2. Wind turbine blades at Port of Gladstone ready to be transported west

📸 3. Port of Gladstone



Gladstone Regional Council

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 & 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱'𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲.

Parents, carers, students, educators, industry representatives and community members came together at the Burdekin Theatre last night to explore the opportunities, pathways and careers shaping our region's future.

A special thank you to Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort and Burdekin Shire Council for their support and partnership in delivering this important event for local families and young people.

Thank you also to guest speakers Emma Dobbins and Vicki James, who provided valuable insights into the future workforce, emerging career opportunities and understanding how young people think, learn and make decisions during their teenage years.

The evening featured inspiring local career stories from Dr Gerard Chandler, Tayla Heuir, Lauren Raitelli and Austin Dewar, each sharing their unique journey from school to career and demonstrating that there is no single pathway to success.

One of the highlights of the night was the opportunity for families to connect directly with local industry representatives from health, construction, engineering, agriculture, trades, education, training and local government. These conversations helped bring career pathways to life and showcased the diverse opportunities available right here in the Burdekin and across North Queensland.

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented and contributed to such a positive and engaging event.

When families, education, industry and community work together, we create stronger pathways for young people and a stronger future workforce for our region.

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗯𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱.

This week, Burdekin parents and families are invited to be part of an important community conversation about future jobs, career pathways and supporting young people as they navigate study, work and life decisions.

As industries evolve, many parents are asking:
- What jobs will exist in the future?
- What pathways are available locally?
And how do we best support young people as they navigate important career and life decisions?

𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 & 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 has been designed to help answer those questions through practical workforce insights, expert advice and real local stories.

The evening will feature:
🎤 Emma Dobbins – Jobs Townsville & North Queensland
Sharing insights into future industries, workforce demand and the opportunities shaping North Queensland’s economy.

🎤 Vicki James – Queensland Department of Education
Providing practical advice to help parents better understand how teenagers think, process decisions and respond to pressure.

🎤 Local Career Pathways Panel
Featuring Dr Gerard Chandler, Tayla Heuir, Lauren Raitelli and Austin Dewar sharing their own journeys through school, study and career decision-making.

From diesel fitting to owning Burdekin Chiropractic, from Ayr State High School graduate to Project Engineer at Burdekin Shire Council, from JCU student to Graduate Registered Nurse and Midwife with Queensland Health, and from local schooling into an electrical apprenticeship, their stories highlight the many different pathways available across regional Queensland.

Families will also have the opportunity to connect directly with more than 15 local industries, employers and training providers following the presentations.

📍 Burdekin Theatre, Ayr
📅 Wednesday 3 June
🕔 5pm – 7:30pm

FREE community event for parents, carers and families.

🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/gJpn5be8



Burdekin Shire Council

Pathways & Possibilities: Supporting Your Child’s Future

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗗𝗔 𝗧𝗡𝗪𝗤 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 - bringing together regional leaders, industry representatives and communities to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the North West.

Delivered in partnership with 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 (REA), the Mount Isa session will provide independent insights into the economic conditions, workforce demand, major projects and investment activity influencing the region over the next decade.

Our CEO Dr Lisa McDonald, and Matthew Kelly Kelly from REA will present on the key trends (Global, National & Local) shaping regional Queensland, followed by a regional panel discussion and audience Q&A featuring representatives from industry, workforce and regional development organisations.

Representatives include:
Damian Miley – Southern Gulf NRM
Paul Byrne – Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
Casie Scott – NBN Australia
Natasha Storey – Mount Isa Regional Jobs Committee / Mount Isa City Council

As one of North West Queensland’s most important economic centres, Mount Isa continues to play a critical role in supporting jobs, freight, energy, industry and regional communities across inland Queensland and Northern Australia.

The session is designed to support informed regional conversations around workforce demand, investment, infrastructure, liveability and future growth opportunities across the North West.

📍 Mount Isa Civic Centre – The Stack
📅 Wednesday 10 June 2026
🕔 From 5pm

Free public event. Registrations essential.
Register now - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1990540074948?aff=oddtdtcreator



Commerce North West

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?

Join us for the upcoming Pathways & Possibilities: Supporting Your Child’s Future event on Wednesday 3 June at the Burdekin Theatre.

This free community event brings together local experts, industry representatives and education providers to share real insights on career pathways, decision-making and future workforce opportunities.

Hear from guest speakers including Dr Gerard Chandler and Tayla Heuir (pictured), followed by a panel discussion exploring real career journeys and practical advice for families.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect directly with more than 15 exhibitors across industries such as agriculture, construction, health, education and professional services.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
📍 Burdekin Theatre
📅 Wednesday 3 June
🕜 Doors open 5:00pm, Presentations 5:30pm – 6:30pm

This event is open to parents, carers, educators and community members.

🔗 Register now: https://bit.ly/49wjpSE

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭, 𝘑𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘴𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘞𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀.

After spending part of her high school years in the Burdekin, JTNQ’s Project Manager Emma Dobbins understands the important role regional communities play in shaping young people’s futures.

Now working across North Queensland supporting workforce development and career pathways, Emma is returning to the Burdekin alongside Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Pierina Dalle Cort to help local families better understand the opportunities available for the next generation.

Together, they are encouraging parents and carers to attend Pathways & Possibilities: Supporting Your Child’s Future — a free community event to be held in the Burdekin next week.

This event will focus on future jobs, career pathways and supporting teenagers as they navigate important study, training and life decisions.

The evening will bring together industry, education and community voices to provide practical insights into:
- Emerging industries and future workforce opportunities
- Understanding the teenage brain
- Local training and career pathways
- Real stories from regional professionals.

Families can also speak directly with local industry about future career pathways and opportunities.

📍 Burdekin Theatre, Ayr
📅 Wednesday 3 June
🕔 5pm – 7:30pm

🔗 For more information and to register visit: https://tinyurl.com/PathwaysPoss

FREE community event.