Dare to Take the Dream Journey

This week a 16 year old Slovenian girl has found her way to Rockhampton because of a dream.

Dream, some will do just that, for others it is the start of a journey. Rockhampton is part of her journey. With not much more than a change of clothes, a couple pairs of sandshoes and a bag of racquets her stay in Rockhampton will depend on some luck and her ability on the day. She’ll be one of about 80 contesting an International Tennis Federation sanctioned Pro Tour tournament. A tournament that Sam Stosur, Alicia Molik, Casey Dellacqua played previously in Rockhampton.  After battling through qualifying the young lass may be drawn against the number 1 seed in the opening round of the main draw. This is pro tennis as an apprentice. It’s a tough road; no detours or shortcuts, world ranking points and reputation have to be earned. The dream can only continue by amassing points, if not this tournament then the next. At the tournament will be young local girls who also have a dream. It is a dream that has already led them to play tournaments interstate and overseas. It’s all part of the journey they like the young Slovenian lass make to achieve their dream of playing grand slam tennis.

Last week I was somewhat critical of Council’s ‘can’t do’ stance on a new netball facility in Rockhampton. It is only fair to also offer praise when deserved. Praise for the decision to support the Rockhampton International. Rockhampton rarely has the opportunity to host international sporting events. Council’s decision to support this tournament made it possible. Additional sponsors make hosting the tournament less of a financial burden on Tennis Rockhampton. In this current climate some may be uncomfortable about the decision. However if we want to see the Rockhampton region develop, investment must be made in sporting and cultural activities as well as roads. Encouraging individual’s aspirations helps our region grow in many ways. Take this opportunity to watch the players and in a couple years say you saw them play in Rockhampton as they walk onto the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne for the Australian Open final. It’s free for spectators.

A Rocky Reunion

Where you from?            Where’s that?

What about yourself?  Rockhampton.  Oh yeh I know where that this.

For a city of around 70000 people Rockhampton or Rocky seems pretty well known.  I’ve rarely had to explain where it is when I’m away.  It got me wondering, why is this so?  (I know I’ve pinched that TV Professors line.)  Education helps, not just the geography classes though.  The University and boarding schools are priceless assets of the city.  They not only produce graduates who may leave our city and spread word of Rockhampton, but also attract students from all over Australia and the world.  The Rockhampton Grammar School is one of the largest co-educational boarding schools in Australia.  Within one class I lectured at the CQUniversity there were 8 different nationalities.

How can we get an even better return from these assets and the general awareness of Rockhampton?  One way could be a Rockhampton Reunion.  Like a school reunion, former residents come from all over Australia return to re-acquaint with family, friends, work colleagues and places.  I believe a Rocky Reunion has been done before.  However Google didn’t seem to have a record of it.  Could one be held like Beef Week, maybe even every 3 years?  One central location; different schools, workplaces, extended families could book a separate room/pavilion for their reunion, displays of all things Rockhampton (past, present and future) could be on show; tours arranged to prime city sites; guest speakers, entertainment, sporting activities could attract more attendance and publicity of the event.  A bit like the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. A lot of individual reunions and events bundled into one package.  A weeklong celebration of Rockhampton.  Like Beef Week the economic value to the region could be enormous.  Just important though is highlighting the positives of our city; the successes, the friendships, the progress, the history, the diversity of cultures, etc. What a social media gold mine this could be; after all everyone knows Rockhampton, or thinks they do. Why not take advantage of this awareness and every 3 years create a beacon that people around the world might be guided to.

Amalgamation, Not Perfect but....

Will the future of our region be better by staying amalgamated or de-amalgamating?  To me this is what the primary argument about de-amalgamation should be about.  The difference between population and rate revenue percentages argument may seem reasonable, but is that how any region should be managed?  For example if the ‘spend money where it is derived from’ principal was adopted by a newly de-amalgamated Livingstone Council would a suitable sewerage plant be funded for the Keppel Sands Caravan Park?

I assume most of Livingstone rate revenue is derived between the Causeway and Farnborough.  If correct, a major expense at Keppel Sands could be disproportionate to the percentage of general rate revenue collected from there.  Should this stop it from happening?  One would assume, as there is a justifiable need for it, that it would still be approved.  It should be the same for the whole region.  Decisions have to be justified on what and where expenditure is to be made on a need and potential to be realised basis.  Spending money in a section of the region just to match its population share to me is not good justification.   The divisional voting system Rockhampton Regional Council persists with is in my mind part of the problem. It encourages councillors to put their division first region second. Change it. The primary focus of councillors should be what is best for the region. While not perfect, the model Gladstone adopted of voting for councillors from the one pool of all the hopefuls arguably encourages a stronger regional focus of the candidates.

I believe the communities that made up the four councils in the Rockhampton region prior to amalgamation were and will continue to be intertwined. Why untwine something that is interdependent on each?  It wasn’t perfect prior to amalgamation; there will always be criticism of where and how money is being spent, no matter what size the council is. It’s democracy in action. 

Will our whole region be better or worse off, that should be the crux of the de-amalgamation debate.  I look forward to seeing how this point is debated. Hopefully it won’t be a one sided one.

Amalgamation: Lets have a proper debate

Amalgamation, that’s the flip side of the de-amalgamation debate, the side we hardly hear about.  Actually debate is the wrong word as it requires at least 2 opposing arguments.  Where’s the pro amalgamation team? After all there were good reasons to amalgamate in the first place, weren’t there.

I recall attending an amalgamation meeting in Rockhampton with the then Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser where he commented on the hospitable reception.  Maybe the arguments for amalgamation of greater efficiencies and better management seem redundant presently.  However, the feeling from that meeting was that amalgamation was necessary for the region’s economic growth.  A prevailing perception that the region was suffering due to Rockhampton City’s smaller population and growth rate compared to other regional cities.  The previously amalgamated Mackay was one example.  Growth in Yeppoon, north of Parkhurst and Gracemere were not included in Rockhampton City economic indicators despite the proximity.  Combine these interlinked communities population and a more attractive package is presented to investors.  One can argue that after 4 years of amalgamation evidence of greater investment in our region exists. 

Mistakes with the amalgamation process were arguably made.  However, wouldn’t it more productive to put our energies into rectifying the mistakes and improving the process then to dismantle it?  Would the 4 point size footnote under Rockhampton regions future economic indicators explaining the 28000 decrease in population be noticed by investors? Would a 28000 populated shire make their short list?  Investors deciding the location of the next Myers or foreshore development for example. 

Supporters for de-amalgamation have their reasons and it’s healthy to argue for them.  Without balance though are the residents in the former Livingstone Shire making an informed decision or more an emotive one?  With the current national and international attention Central Queensland is receiving wouldn’t it be better to remain united than divided.  Splitting but remaining close friends sounds like an amicable separation, but will two bureaucracies happily co-exist or file for divorce.  Let’s have a proper balanced debate.  Champions of amalgamation please step forward and present your arguments for keeping the status quo. (Be interesting to know how many councillors will be amongst you).

Doing More with the Less Known

Interesting that old gold mining equipment can be a historically significant attraction.  At some sites sign posts are constructed describing what the equipment did.  The area around it maintained, with arrows pointing where further pieces of historically significant litter can be located.  Litter, at the time it was left there, that’s what it was.  Equipment discarded as the viable gold disappeared along with the miners and sometimes the communities the gold supported.  Will the CSG wells dotting our rural landscape be future historical attractions?  Or has mining lost the perceived charm of yesteryear.  A charm that could see fortunes made, lost, robbed or killed for.

Mount Britton, 65km west of Sarina and Ravenswood, an hour drive east of Charters Towers are hardly up there with Dream or Sea World as tourist attractions. Each however adds to the visitor’s perceived charm of the gold mining in the late 1800’s.  Mount Britton; population 0, buildings 3 (shed, lookout shelter and toilet); hardly the infrastructure is the attraction, but the stories and pictures of the school, picture studio, doctors surgery and the pubs scattered across the site that once was home to 1500 inhabitants is a shiny lure for the more adventure seeking tourist. At Ravenswood the infrastructure is the initial attraction.  The township is listed by the National Trust.  Two beautiful hotels remain out of the 48 that once quenched 5000 throats.  Chimney stacks, mullock heaps, the school swimming pool are brilliant camera fodder, however it is the stories on the signposts beside them that engages the visitor, keeping some a few days in the free campground at the showgrounds, or bedding with the ghosts at the hotels.  Could more be done with the old gold fields around Rockhampton; Canoona, Bouldercombe, Morinish, Rosewood, Ridgelands, Mt. Chalmers and of course Mount Morgan to attract the more adventure seeking tourist.  Drive along the western highways and you’ll see them towing a camper trailer or 4WD caravan.  The Cape, Uluru, Winton’s dinosaurs footprints, Undara Lava Tubes are typical destinations.  For these tourists it’s the journey that’s just as important.  To see, experience different things, and engage with the stories and characters.  Maybe as we wait for Great Keppel Island to once again become a major tourist attraction, we should do more with less, our less known sites of interest.

Government Versus Household Spending

Interesting how Government react the opposite to the way a household does.  When times are tough household’s tighten the belt make do with the old TV, repair the old fridge not replace it, forget about the extensions, etc.  Government though borrows more money and spends it, big time.  When things improve the household splurges a little, buys a flat screen TV, gets quotes on the new kitchen etc. However with our economy in good shape, one of the best in the world, our new state and local governments are tightening the belt, cutting jobs, asking remaining staff to duplex their photocopying.  Some economists argue this response reversal is necessary. Continued spending by either the public or private sector is necessary to maintain employment.  However in the 2 tier (speed) economy which we are experiencing Government seems to be relying on the mining/resource boom to soak up all the new unemployed and more.  Will a former public servant be keen to swap their desk in Brisbane for a dump truck in Alpha?  Even if they were would they get the job?  If they do, how will FIFO affect family and social life?

It is a responsible action for Government to reduce wasteful expenditure and cut debt, but needs to be careful how it’s done.

Allowing mining/resource companies 100% FIFO workforce, employing and sourcing supplies from overseas is making it tough for that tier of economy not directly involved in mining/resources; the bigger of the 2 tiers.  If this tier of the private sector reduces spending in union with Government (public sector) cut backs, where’s the spending necessary to maintain jobs in retail, services, tourism and construction industries?  Maybe the Newman Government did actually think of this in announcing the ‘cost neutral’ Brisbane North CBD renewal project.  Pity it’s the south east corner that Newman big idea is to be realised.  It should though highlight to the Rockhampton Regional Council to work on its own big ‘cost neutral’ idea for the region.  As just hoping the mining/resource companies are going to stimulate the non mining tier in the local economy or the State/Federal Government will play white knight won’t be enough. The honeymoon is over; let’s see more from the Council than just driving personal agendas.

Trying to find an Australian at the Coal Face

“Mate, this will be the last time, going back to Caboolture tomorrow”.  “So the job with the mines didn’t work out”.  “No, he never returned a phone call, looks like better opportunities back home after all”.  This was part of a conversation I had at tennis last week.

Other conversations during the week included the voluntary (!) redundancies at QR National, school based apprenticeships and TAFE courses that can’t be delivered as trainers aren’t available.  Hard to believe Central Queensland is in a boom and thousands of jobs need to be filled.  Extra rail corridors will be criss-crossing CQ and I image more trains will be needed to transport the greater quantities of coal, but QR National need less workers in CQ!  TAFE Rockhampton offers a Certificate II in Electrotechnology, a bit of a leg up to an electrical apprenticeship, but can’t deliver it as they can’t get trainers.  A school based apprenticeship can involve 4 weeks during the year where students attend TAFE. I said, “this would be during school holidays”.  “Not necessarily” was the answer.  That’s a bit of catching up a student has to do.  While also missing up to 2 days a week for an apprenticeship that has no guarantee of being completed after the student finishes grade 12.  Then do you have a better chance of getting a job in the Galilee Basin from Sunshine Coast than Rockhampton because it’s been in FIFO slumber land?  It appears Government responses to the job shortages is foreign workers.  Maybe if they scratch the surface a bit they may find a few things that aren’t enhancing the chances of Australians filling Australian jobs.  The government grant the mining companies the right to dig up our nations resources and send it overseas without having to make significant contributions to the infrastructure, with now even less green tape and apparently little real requirement to train and employ Australians.  Why aren’t the pollies asking and even better looking and listening for the reasons why 1 in 6 eligible Australians are either under or unemployed (Roy Morgan Research)?  Get out of the office and visit the coal face. Getting more Australians gainfully employed is going to go along way to decreasing the debt, than just collecting royalty cheques.