New challenges and opportunities

The Plan was developed with an understanding of the impacts of global economic, environmental, social and cultural trends likely to affect the state over the next 30 years.

These global trends include:

• Community profile
• Changes in demographics, including a growing and ageing population with an associated increasing demand for public services such as health, education and infrastructure
• A new world economy
• Movement of the centre of the global economy from west to east, and north to south, with developing nations becoming major contributors of resources and innovation
• People becoming global citizens with increased mobility driving urbanisation and placing pressure on the environment, infrastructure, housing and employment
• Naturally Queensland
• Climate change, decreasing biodiversity, water and food scarcity and land degradation, as well as increasing demand driving a need for a global response for sustainable resource management
• Virtual reality
• Digital technology enabling exponential growth in the capture of data, increased connectivity, and advancements in artificial intelligence and automation; while also disrupting established industries and sectors.

In 2014–15, a number of key issues emerged for Queensland:

• The concerted commitment to action, across the entire community, on domestic and family violence, requiring greater victim support and community education
• Over 80 per cent of the state drought-declared with families and local communities facing significant hardship
• Youth unemployment reached levels as high as 21 per cent in parts of regional Queensland with many young people requiring new skills and practical tools to get ready for work
• The Great Barrier Reef was at risk of being listed as endangered and strong collaboration was required to ensure its future health and resilience.

In addition, a number of opportunities arose, including:

• Increased demand for, and technological innovation in, renewable energy providing Queensland with the opportunity to build growing industries
• Increased access to coding and robotics to provide Queenslanders with the skills for the jobs of the future
• Focus on innovation and entrepreneurship to improve productivity and sustain jobs growth
• Better health outcomes by linking primary and acute patient care to help Queenslanders improve their physical and mental health.

The Queensland Government will continue to work with local communities, business, industry and other levels of government to address challenges and seize opportunities in fostering a strong economic framework and an inclusive society.