Development in CQ, is it worth singing about

Billion dollar projects planned

Here in our Central Queensland

Plenty of jobs going about

They’ll even fly you in and fly you out

Export income is the goal

All we got to do is dig more holes

We’re told its all good news

Let’s hear your view

Is there enough infrastructure about

Does the only solution have to be fly in fly out?

If there is to be a boom

Will our kids benefit from it to???

Aspire CQ

Now’s the time to get our due

Aspire CQ

 Enough of most of it going to SEQ

Aspire CQ

C’mon lets hear your view

Aspire CQ

C’mon Canberra, you can take but how about giving it too

Long term benefits that’s got to be the goal

Not just been left with lots of holes

Lets all benefit from the boom

And remain sustainable after it too

Vibrant and innovative is what we are

Now’s the opportunity for CQ to star

(chorus)

Work, live, play

Lets’ give them no reason to fly away

Central Queensland has it all

We have to go beyond thinking small

Stop treating us as just being part of the herd

Now’s the time that our aspirations are heard

(chorus)

It’s our CQ; we’re entitled to a view

No more words and empty promises

We’re tired of being Doubting Thomases

Actions are what are needed

One’s that demonstrate our community concerns are heeded.

(chorus)

I’m no song writer, but several months ago I decided to try and write a jingle to help make aspirations for CQ a day to day issue for governments to be faced with. However like my letters to the editor, and some may think this column, the lyrics became too long. I decided to share these lyrics as the relevance of them is arguably more relevant now then several months ago. It seems this resource boom is like a snow ball rolling down a hill. Growing and increasing in size – its momentum apparently unstoppable. I’m for development. I want to see the Rockhampton region gain long term benefits from this resource boom. For too long we’ve largely missed out and become like a gap in the map. Yet there appears to be more issues than real long term benefits so far. No doubt the national economy is benefitting, ‘export income is the goal’ but what has Rockhampton region seen from it. One of the current major issues is water quality; drinking, harbour and ground water.  So is this development ‘all good news’.

This is not a pollie bashing column. I have no doubt our politicians have fought very hard to get what they have got. In our politically diminishing region they have to. One vote, one value encourages more attention goes to where the most voters are. So we need to be more vocal in helping our politicians push the urgent need for more infrastructure and that our concerns for sustainable, community acceptable development are heeded. There is noise from both sides about the benefits to be delivered (but not when) and calls for no development. At the moment it seems the Rockhampton region is sitting on its hands not sure what to put its’ hand up for, while the rest of CQ powers on, for better or otherwise. Without development, aspirations for a high school in Gracemere, a better southern entrance into Rockhampton, development of the Yeppoon foreshore, etc., are more difficult to achieve. Development and the population growth that comes with it will improve our political clout. Clout needed to get more infrastructure. Unfortunately the Rockhampton Chamber of Commerce with its mission of promoting sustainable and community acceptable development in Central Queensland no longer exists. I think its time for a non-political, 100% community driven organisation was formed to take on this mission and help our politicians get a better deal for us. Champion our aspirations and our concerns. What do you think? Would you join a group passionate, pro-active, and protective in promoting sustainable, community acceptable development in Rockhampton and Central Queensland?

I would love to hear your thoughts and aspirations for CQ. Even if you think the lyrics are a chance of becoming a song.