Accord bolsters recovery taskforce

NORTH Queensland’s recovery from the COVID-19 global pandemic has been turbocharged with five local councils agreeing to join forces.

The North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) – which represents the Burdekin, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook, Palm Island and Townsville councils – met yesterday to discuss the impacts of the pandemic and agreed to bolster the COVID taskforce with a North Queensland focus on recovery battle plans.

NQROC chairwoman and Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn Mclaughlin said recovery would be long-term.

“North Queensland’s recovery from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 will take time and the combined effort of all levels of government, business and industry,” Cr Mclaughlin said.

Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge said it was important the local councils were leading recovery efforts.

“NQROC joining the recovery taskforce gives us a chance to get on the front foot,” Cr Beveridge said.

“COVID-19 has been completely devastating for North Queensland and I don’t think we will realise the full impacts for years to come.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo also backed the taskforce.

“There’s an old saying – united you stand, divided you fall,” Cr Jayo said.

“Effective engagement with the state and federal governments is vital to the success of the recovery. We need to address the jobs and social impacts in order to get people back on their feet.”