Colin and I have returned from travelling over 13,000km throughout regional Queensland where the landscape and communities are all unique and very beautiful. Our trip started from Cairns through to Georgetown, Croydon and Normanton. All of this region has been hit hard with flooding and longer than usual cut off periods for the communities. It was great to see them bouncing back with much work in progress to rebuild and repair roads, bridges and infrastructure.
We then travelled on to Mount Isa and Cloncurry where new mining ventures have been a welcome relief to this region. We then ventured east to Julia Creek, Richmond Hughenden and Charters Towers. With new power solutions and major projects, the hot topic of conversations, as well as the hope of returned tourists to the region. We headed across to Townsville and down the coast through Ayr, Mackay and Rockhampton stopping in at all these buzzing communities on or near to the coast where tourism agriculture and farming are the key to their economies. Much discussion about the Olympics and the prosperity it is hoped they will bring to the regions.
Travelling through the thriving central west including Moranbah, Emerald and Biloela the country was looking great with abundant feed and cattle on the land and mining remaining active. We then travelled out through Blackall, Barcaldine, Winton and Longreach which is always magic country and a wonderful drive. The area is dominated by cattle and tourism, boasting one of the largest dinosaur collections and discoveries in the world.
With some unseasonable heavy rain for a few days, we detoured from some closed roads to the southwest through Boulia, Bedourie, Quilpie, Thargomindah and Cunnamulla where the water ways were all flowing and the country fantastically green with much feed on the ground, the birdlife including galas and emus were abundant.
For the final leg of our journey, we travelled through bilby and cattle country to Charleville, Roma and St George before heading north back to Cairns.
It was a big trip throughout the length and breadth of our amazing state, and we met with fabulous local people who as previously experienced, are friendly and always welcoming.
The fuel crisis and resulting lack of tourists was apparent everywhere we went. Some of the regions are suffering significant losses as a result. We experienced no fuel shortages and very good fuel prices, so I hope the much-needed support returns to these communities, many who are still recovering from significant flood events.
As the Financial Year ends, budgets are on many people’s minds including with Local, State and Federal Governments all locking them into place. It is anticipated to expect challenging times ahead with legislation changes coming into place and there are great opportunities with many new projects on the horizon; including Olympics infrastructure that we will see impacting our regional towns. There are great career opportunities to explore with many benefits in our regional centres that cities do not offer. Benefits can include great remuneration packages with housing, relocation and allowances as well as career advancement opportunities and living in a safe, relaxed and beautiful remote/regional community minded environment.
Do not hesitate to contact our team if you are looking for skilled staff to join your team or if you would like to explore career opportunities.
