Last Thursday night, NQCC was one of 16 civil society organisations who participated in the Townsville Community Election Assembly at Kirwan Uniting Church. 163 attendees included people of faith, community centre leaders, environmentalists, unionists, human rights advocates, housing providers and multicultural community leaders, acting together for the common good.

We heard powerful, personal stories about the impacts of pressures such as housing, cost of living, holistic care for small children, safety and connection and climate change. These stories helped to connect all participants - including political candidates - to the issues and to each other. 

Linda Davis shared a story about the lasting impacts of the 2019 floods.

Each story was followed by a briefing from a representative of a local organisation with the relevant expertise to offer solutions to the pressures presented. NQCC President Tamara Inkster-Draper delivered a brief on NQCC's proposed climate adaptation solutions, including the strengthening of QCoast2100 (to address coastal hazards) and the introduction of a program to address heat hazards (QHeat2050). Click here to learn more about our Heat & Hazards campaign. She also reminded attendees and candidates of the benefits for the environment and cost of living of Townsville's Local Renewable Energy Zone.

NQCC President Tamara Inkster-Draper briefed participants on NQCC's proposed climate solutions.

Together, we secured positive commitments from the Australian Labor Party and the Katters Australian Party that will have a massive impact on the lives of people living in Townsville. Both parties committed to acting on our issues - housing, climate, safe and connected communities, and thrive by five. They also committed to an ongoing relationship with our Alliance team in Townsville. 

Read the agenda here!

At the end of the night, we asked for commitments from all participants, and offered a range of opportunities to be involved with the Community Alliance in an ongoing way. Happily, lots of people signed up to attend a planning day in November, take action on the issues we heard, and/or do a two-day training in Foundations of Community Organising!

Specific commitments on our issues

Candidates from both parties committed to: 

• Ensure a place based workforce development plan for Townsville in the areas of early learning and allied health.
• Work with us to establish a working group to address the acute housing pressures in Townsville.
• Support local councils to develop and adapt to heat and hazards by championing a business case for QHeat2050 and revamping QCoast2100.
• Support the rollout of 30 extra Brief Intervention Support Worker/Community Connect Workers and advocate for our community to receive at least one more of these workers.
• Support the state-wide rollout of social prescribing and advocate for Townsville to be one of the locations that receives a link worker with the Putting Queensland Kids First funding that has been budgeted but not allocated.
• An ongoing relationship with the Alliance team locally, including quarterly meetings, annual assemblies and working with us on the issues that we identify as important to act on.

There was a slight point of difference between the parties on the design and delivery of the Townsville Local Renewable Energy Zone. We asked them if they would ensure full delivery of the Townsville LREZ, and work with the Townsville Alliance Team to ensure equity outcomes are met. We heard:

• Firm commitment from the ALP that they would ensure a full delivery of the LREZ and would work with us on this.
• Commitment from KAP to work with us on ensuring this money is being efficiently spent, that there is consideration of the environmental impacts of this project, and that the benefits of this project flow to the local community.

Next steps with the LNP 

We are disappointed that the Liberal National Party candidates did not attend. We know that a relationship with the LNP is important for progressing the outcomes we are seeking for the community, and so we are still committed to building a public relationship with them. 

To do this, we are seeking a meeting with the LNP candidates before polling day, to discuss our community driven agenda, as we did with representatives from the ALP and KAP on Thursday night. The co chairs have been in contact with the LNP candidates via text, and we are looking forward to their positive response. 

Read a letter from Liz Downes to LNP candidate for Mundingburra, Janelle Poole

Acknowledgements

Congratulations to all involved for such an excellent and well organised night which secured several positive commitments for our local community. Special thanks to all NQCC members who participated, and those who took on active roles on the night, including:

• Linda Davis, storyteller
• Tamara Inkster-Draper, roll call representative and briefer
• Crystal Falknau, co-chair
• Luna Prince, stage manager
• Greg Boyd, videographer

You continue to make us proud of our organisation and community. Thank you to Emily Kain for contributions to this summary (and for her vital role as QCA Organiser!) and Sagar Joby for the wonderful photos.