PARTNERSHIPS POWERING ECONOMIC GROWTH

A major new initiative is set to mobilise the power of partnerships in a bid to grow the Central Highlands economy.

The Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) has launched Frontier CQ, a roadmap that sets out how the region can work collectively and purposefully to bring to fruition a range of innovative projects.

At the heart of Frontier CQ will be a network of business, industry, government, and community stakeholders.

“There’s a strong culture of collaboration across sectors in the Central Highlands but this network formalises that, and the roadmap gives a solid evidence base and governance approach so that we can be more strategic in how we work together,” CHDC CEO Peter Dowling says.

“It’s about creating connective tissue between the many moving parts so that we can take a unified and organised approach to identifying and delivering key pieces of work.”

Frontier CQ’s first priority is bringing together key stakeholders to co-design the working approach and decision-making tools. Once that’s bedded down, it will look at priority pieces of work that can make a difference with the likes of agtech and smart cropping, mining, transport and logistics, renewables, and other local industries.

“The Central Highlands already has innovative projects and research on the go and in the pipeline, but this model can help to raise awareness across key stakeholders within and beyond the region to accelerate their progress,” Mr Dowling says.

“Even CHDC’s own initiatives, such as the Workforce Development and Accommodation Strategy, will play a critical role to address some of the enablers for progress.

“Essentially, Frontier CQ is future focused with the broad aim of further enhancing our region’s competitiveness, adaptability and resilience.”

CHDC hopes to complete the network’s formation in the coming weeks, with a productive, dynamic and self-sustaining group being the ultimate goal.

“The idea is to have a broad cross section of people but with a shared motivation to grow our region,” Mr Dowling says.

“The intent is to partner and align with a variety of regional organisations and individuals to move forward effectively and productively.”

Find out more about Frontier CQ at chdc.com.au.

This initiative was supported by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Innovation Places and Precincts Program.

Frontier CQ was developed with the assistance of Acclimate Partners.