The 2017–18 year in review

The Queensland Government continues to meet its requirements under the Act by:

• considering the Plan in preparing the community objectives statement
• providing secretariat services to support The Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council (the Ambassadors Council)
• reporting on progress towards implementation of the Plan through an Annual Progress Report each financial year.

In June 2018, the Queensland Government launched its objectives for the community—Our Future State: Advancing Queensland’s Priorities (Our Future State). The Plan was a consideration in the development of Our Future State.

The Plan outlines a broader vision for Queensland and is a shared responsibility of the community, business and industry, government and individual Queenslanders. Our Future State aims to focus government activity on what it can do to contribute to a better future for Queensland.

The vision and foundation areas of the Plan are reflected in the priorities for Our Future State – creating jobs in a strong economy, keeping Queenslanders healthy, giving all children a great start, keeping communities safe, protecting the Great Barrier Reef and ensuring we are a responsive government.

The Ambassadors Council is responsible for promoting awareness and advocating for the implementation of the Plan by the community, business and industry. The Ambassadors Council are also tasked with advising the Premier on matters relating to the implementation of the Plan.

In 2017–18, the Ambassadors Council continued its work and met six times, with three meetings in Brisbane and three meetings held by teleconference. The Council’s meetings focused on five foundation areas of the plan: education, community, health and wellbeing, environment and infrastructure.

Key stakeholders from community, industry and infrastructure organisations, and advocacy groups were engaged by the Ambassadors Council and contributed to the meeting discussions. Organisations represented included UnitingCare, beyondblue, SunWater, Energy Queensland, Queensland Conservation Council, Engineers Australia and the Infrastructure Association of Queensland, as well as a number of government agencies. The Council also met with startup companies such as Utilitas, GroundWorks and Redback Technologies which are developing innovative technical solutions to environmental problems.

The current members of the Ambassadors Council are:

• The Honourable Tony McGrady (Chair)
• Mr Mark Henley (Deputy Chair)
• Ms Karen Tully
• Professor John Cole
• Mr Leon Yeatman
• Ms Kate Tully
• Professor Allan Dale
• Mr Daniel Gschwind
• Ms Erin Faithful
• Mr Taj Pabari
• Ms Shelley Argent

This report meets the third requirement of government in the implementation of the Plan.

How to read the report

The report provides an overview of programs and activities across Queensland that are aligned to each of the Plan’s nine foundation areas. The Plan recognised that the foundation areas are intrinsically interconnected. Where initiatives relate to a number of foundation areas they have only been included once.

The report also provides examples of partnerships across sectors and local community collaboration that align with the vision of the Plan.

Finally, the report takes a look at the year ahead and outlines a number of initiatives that will be delivered in 2018–19.