4.  SECURITY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES – WATER, ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS

• Develop a fully funded, actionable, long term Water Strategy for Queensland which, among other things, focuses on improving security of supply (both above and underground), public health and water catchment quality.

• Support the LGAQ’s funding request of $100M per annum over five years to support critical upgrades to rural water and wastewater infrastructure networks.

• Support collaborative arrangements by increasing funding for the Queensland Water Regional Alliance Program (QWRAP) to enable more regions to participate in initiatives associated with improving drinking water quality, asset management, joint procurement and workforce capability.

• Ensure the continuation of the Interim Great Artesian Basin Infrastructure Investment Program (IGABIIP), or similar, irrespective of ongoing funding support from the Australian Government to protect this vital water source for Western Queensland.

• Develop a fully funded, actionable, long term Energy Strategy for Queensland which, among other things addresses issues specific to rural and remote communities including, security of supply; unreasonably high energy prices; unreliable SWER networks; and incentives for distributed supply in very remote locations.

• Bolster investment in existing funding programs such as Building our Regions or ensure a dedicated funding program for telecommunications / digital connectivity projects in rural and remote communities.

• State Government support for the transparent identification of available fibre optic networks across Western Queensland. This will facilitate local digital connectivity projects, improved competition and entrepreneurial opportunities through remote working.