Program
WQAC 2025
St George, 19-20 August
7:45am
Registrations Open
Balonne Shire Cultural Centre
112-118 Victoria Street, St George
7:50am
WQAC Assembly 2025 - Mayoral Photo
8:05am
Welcome to Day Two of the WQAC Assembly
8:10am - 8:30am
Unlocking Regional Potential in a Changing World - What should Western Queensland turn its attention to?
Senator Susan McDonald – Shadow Minister for Resources, Shadow Minister for Northern Australia and Senator for Queensland.
Queensland Local Government Grants Commission – Priorities and Program Focus over the Next Term
Mr Vic Pennisi, Chair – Queensland Local Government Grants Commission
8:30am - 8:55am
8:55am - 9:30am
Quantum – Technologies and Computing: What It Is and Why It Matters to Regional Australia
Dr Anita Milroy, Senior Project Manager, Inspiring Australia Queensland / Advancement and Community Engagement - The University of Queensland
Dr Wade Naylor, Lecturer Physics, Mathematics & STEM Education – Australian Catholic University
Sponsor Presentation: Telstra
9:30am -9:40am
9:40am - 10:20am
MORNING TEA
10:20am - 10:30am
Sponsor Presentation: GBA Consulting Engineers
10:30am - 10:50am
Session #2: As the Seasons Rise and Fall – How can we best shape futures in a changing world?
From Culture to Commerce: Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Doomadgee to Drive Business Opportunities (virtual presentation)
Mr Troy Fraser, Chief Executive Officer – Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council
10:50am - 11:20am
From Patchwork to Place-based - Progressing Digital Connectivity Planning and Investment in Western Queensland
Mr Jay Sindorff, Executive Director, Strategic Policy - Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business
Ms Kristina Neylan, Executive Director Strategic Delivery - Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business
11:20am - 11:40am
Digital Engagement: Harnessing Technology for Community Connection
Mr Rick Hospers, Regional Digital Development Officer - North-North West Qld
Ms Louise Gronold, Regional Digital Development Officer - Central West Qld
11:40am - 12:00pm
Supporting Councils through the Seasons as they Rise and Fall
Cr Matt Burnett, Mayor – Gladstone Regional Council; ALGA and LGAQ Presidents
12:00pm - 1:00pm
LUNCH
1:00pm - 2:20pm
Season of Change – Partnering with Councils to deliver tangible outcomes for Western Queensland Communities - Ministerial Forum and Q&A
Opening Address
The Hon Jarrod Bleijie MP - Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations
Portfolio Snapshots
The Hon Ann Leahy MP - Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers
The Hon Dale Last MP - Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Hon Brent Mickelberg MP - Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Open Q&A Session
2:20pm - 3:05pm
Session #3: As the Seasons Rise and Fall – How can we best shape futures in a changing world?
Pursuing Renewables in Balonne to Support High Value Industrial Products for Local Producers
Mr Gareth Forde, Principal Engineer - All Energy
Mr Max Barnes, Process Engineer - All Energy
Mr Justin Schultz, Director - Moonie River Renewables
3:05pm - 3:45pm
AFTERNOON TEA
3:45pm - 4:15pm
Session #4: As the Seasons Rise and Fall – How can we best shape futures in a changing world?
From Paddock to Plantation: Growing AgTech and Timber Industries in Western Queensland
Mr Dwayne Armstrong, Business Development Manager – Webster Timbers / Tambo Cypress Mill
4:15pm - 4:45pm
Promoting Western Queensland Priorities through Election Cycles – WQAC Priorities and Future Advocacy Program
Mr Greg Hoffman PSM – WQAC Executive Officer
4:45pm - 5:30pm
Reviewing the Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers (GABORA) Plan – Feedback Session for WQAC Submission to Government
Mr Tom Vanderbyl, Principal - Badu Advisory Pty Ltd
5:30pm - 5:40pm
Thank you and Assembly Close
Cr Samantha O’Toole, Mayor – Balonne Shire Council
6:30pm - 10:30pm
ASSEMBLY DINNER: REINING IN THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WESTERN QUEENSLAND
Kindly sponsored by: King and Company Solicitors
Venue: Coonan-Nixon Pavillion, St George Showgrounds, 3-27 Victoria Street, St George
Please take note of the Bus Schedule at the back of this Program for accommodation pick up and drop off times.
Again, this will be a semi-outdoor function. It will get cold, so please bring a jacket, jumper or coat as appropriate plus appropriate footwear given the showgrounds venue.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
