Brisbane 28 July 2013. Compulsory community service, taking a more personalised approach to education and overhauling the economy to decrease Queensland’s reliance on mining are some of the initial views provided to The Queensland Plan.

Queenslanders also want to strengthen community connections, improve our cultural and economic relationships with Asia and place greater emphasis on the role of agriculture and farming.

Minister responsible for The Queensland Plan Andrew Powell said feedback has identified strong support for personalised education models that respond to changing global trends and a greater focus on the outdoors from encouraging more active lifestyles to expanding our green spaces.

“While there is still one month left for Queensland to contribute to our state’s 30 year vision, early analysis indicates a common statewide desire for a stronger sense of community with clear differences on how to achieve it,” Mr Powell said.

“Driving community projects, volunteering, helping others, connecting with neighbours to become more active and getting outdoors, feature prominently in Queensland’s early vision for the future.

“More than 10,000 people from every corner of the state have responded to the six questions developed collaboratively by Queenslanders at the Mackay Summit.

“Some Queenslanders have opted to join in local community events to share and debate their views, while others have gone online to have their say.

“Whatever the method, conversations are underway across the state and we’re hearing great ideas, stories and strong opinions on what people want and don’t want.”

It is now even easier for Queenslanders to contribute their thoughts about Queensland’s future with responses to questions added to The Queensland Plan website (www.qld.gov.au/queenslandplan). These provide an opportunity for people to comment on feedback from their fellow Queenslanders.

“If you haven’t had your say about Queensland’s future, now is the time to voice your opinion,” Mr Powell said.

‘We strongly encourage everyone to contribute – our diversity is unearthing some wonderful perspectives that will help build a strong future.”

Submissions to The Queensland Plan are open until 30 August 2013. A summit will be held in Brisbane on 9 and 10 October 2013 where the results of all the engagement from throughout Queensland will be discussed and prioritised into a clear direction for The Queensland Plan. The plan will be released in late 2013.

Key facts:

·         More males than females have contributed so far (52%)

·         Baby Boomers (1946-1966) outweigh other age categories (42%)

·         All of Queensland is represented with feedback received from every electorate

·         More than 100 events have been held across the state, from Mount Isa, to Townsville, Goondiwindi, Warwick and the Gold Coast.  Over 60 are planned by 30 August.

Some comments provided by Queenslanders include:

·         There needs to be a clear understanding that learning and education is part of everything we do. Great success has been achieved when education/learning is taken out of the classroom and into the community.

·         When our children finish 20 years of education they have always been treated as one of a crowd and they have learnt very little of the skills they require to be adults. To solve the problem, more education out of schools, mentorships, traineeships, apprenticeships, starting from younger ages where children learn one-on-one from older, wiser people.

·         Legislate ‘good faith’ indemnity for non-commercial recreational activity to overcome fear of third-party liability.

·         The mining boom will end and the manufacturing industry is in trouble. We need to focus on intellectual industries, exporting our intelligence. We need to invest in the exponential and future technologies – 3D printing, robotics, AI, biotechnology, synthetic biology, renewable technology and education.

·         I think most bush children are automatically active – but there is no incentive for city children to do this unless they join a club voluntarily. There should be physical education every day in schools, structured to teach skills, not just supervised running around in the playground.

·         Support local small business who are major employers and also to continue with large government projects to keep us moving forward.

·         We need truly inclusive built environments which are age and disability friendly. In this way, everyone can contribute to making Queensland great.

·         Support farmers’ markets so that people have a chance to see food that has been freshly picked, talk to farmers, get a feel for how food is actually produced.

·         Look at men’s sheds, women’s arts and crafts groups with so much talent and wisdom. Life skills have been lost and not passed on to the younger generation.

·         Harness the skills of the retired and retiring baby boomers. Establish mentoring programs in all local government areas for small business, students, managers, future business owners. Promote ‘it is never too late to learn’ culture across all sectors and age groups.