RAPAD

07/08/2026

💡 Read the latest edition of the RAPAD Power Grid newsletter. In this edition:

🔹 Lessons from Texas on securing regional jobs, investment and benefits from energy development
🔹 AFR news story on local landholder perspectives on renewable energy opportunities in Hughenden
🔹 Updates from the Regional Reference Group and engagement with the Office of the Coordinator-General
🔹Progress on engineering, technology, landholder engagement and corridor assessments
🔹 The growing energy needs of data centres and opportunities for regional Queensland
🔹 Recent project events and community engagement activities

www.rapadpowergrid.com.au/news/rpg-newsletter4-jul2026

Want to receive the newsletter straight to your inbox? Head to the RPG website homepage to subscribe: www.rapadpowergrid.com.au

Read the latest news from the VisIR RAPAD Power Grid project team.

05/08/2026

📣 Outback childcare forum calls for united action as survey reveals cost of care gaps

Around 80 service providers, educators, parents, carers, community and local and state elected representatives came together in Blackall this week to build a stronger regional response to one of Central West Queensland’s most pressing challenges: access to early childhood education and care.

Hosted by the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) and its seven member councils, the two-day Rural, Regional and Remote Early Childhood Education and Care Action Forum brought together people working across the sector to identify barriers, share expertise and develop practical next steps.

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Barcaldine Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Longreach Regional Council Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Winton Shire Council Tony Rayner Mayor Cathy White Western Queensland Alliance of Councils

Around 80 service providers, educators, parents, carers, community and local and state elected representatives came together in Blackall this week to build a stronger regional response to one of Central West Queensland’s most pressing challenges: access to early childhood education and care. Hoste...

02/08/2026

👋 We're ready! Childcare access is on the agenda today and tomorrow at the Blackall Action Forum held at the Cultural Centre and online.

Our thanks to Senator Jess Walsh, Sean Dillon MP, Tom Venning MP and Jess Pugh MP for their support and participation in our program.

You can still join us online registering at: https://ececactionforum.rapad.com.au or please text Rachael on 0428 727 605 so we can get the Microsoft Teams links through to you.

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Barcaldine Regional Council Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Longreach Regional Council Winton Shire Council

31/07/2026

The RAPAD team was pleased to attend the GroWQ Expo and Field Days in Longreach this week.

Bringing together more than 200 attendees, the event provided a valuable opportunity to learn and connect with producers and discuss the no-cost, impartial support available across our programs - from disaster recovery and grant applications through to drought preparedness and planning for the future with our team at Farm Business Planning North Queensland.

Congratulations to the Growq team on an amazing amount of work behind the scenes and another successful event supporting agriculture across Western Queensland.

📸 RAPAD representatives included Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers Celeste Ogg and Emma Hay; Exclusion Fencing Recovery Program officers Emily O’Hanlon, Lenice Jarling and Belle Williams; and CEO Morgan Gronold. We were also joined by our team mate from Charters Towers, Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland’s Emma Cook!

30/07/2026

📰 RAPAD BOARD COMMUNIQUE - QUARTER 2 2026:

Hot of the press, the latest quarterly Communique provides an overview of discussions and upcoming actions endorsed by the Board at its meetings held April - June 2026.

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Barcaldine Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Longreach Regional Council Winton Shire Council Mayor Cathy White Tony Rayner Rob Chandler Rick Britton

This Communique provides an overview of discussions and upcoming actions endorsed by the Board at its meetings held April - June 2026

27/07/2026

RAPAD and our seven member councils are looking forward to bringing Central West Queensland priorities to the table in Brisbane this August at WQAC2026.

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Barcaldine Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Blackall-Tambo Regional Council Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Longreach Regional Council Winton Shire Council

📣 ONE MONTH TO GO UNTIL WQAC2026 IN BRISBANE

Local government leaders from across Western Queensland will gather at Brisbane City Hall from 25–27 August 2026 for the 7th Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) Assembly.

This annual event brings together representatives from across 25 WQAC member councils, alongside senior State and Federal government representatives, as well as industry, services and community leaders.

With the theme "Beyond the Range – Built Tough, Thinking Bold," the program will spotlight the resilience, resourcefulness and ambition of a region that keeps building well beyond the ranges that define it.

Delegates will engage directly with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Members, Senators, Directors-General and senior industry leaders on the issues shaping Western Queensland's future, including: Housing, Roads & Transport, Connectivity, Water & Sewerage Infrastructure, Disaster Funding, Regional Airline Services, Childcare, and 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games opportunities.

From the Gulf of Carpentaria to the New South Wales border, the 25 WQAC member councils span 63% of the State: A vast footprint, one alliance, one united voice.

📍 Brisbane City Hall | 25–27 August 2026
🎟️ Tickets: eventbrite.com.au/e/wqac-assembly-2026-tickets-1993500995140
📋 Program: wqac.com.au/assembly2026

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North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils RAPAD South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Outback PR

26/07/2026

🧑🏽‍💻 Access to quality early learning and care has a far-reaching impact - it supports child development, workforce participation, and the long-term sustainability of communities to name a few.

That's why we want to hear from you and have your support as we advocate for our region and beyond.

👉 Register for the forum: https://ececactionforum.rapad.com.au

🔦 Help us shine the light on the gaps in Regional Childcare Access data, share your experience in our region-wide survey here: https://thefuturecareproject.org.au/survey

24/07/2026

We're excited to include complimentary dinner as part of our Rural Regional and Remote ECEC Action Forum in Blackall.

Thanks to our hosts Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, forum attendees are invited to dinner at the iconic The Lodge on Hawthorn - Blackall - a great way to keep the conversation going after the first half of our forum on Monday afternoon 3 August.

Register for the forum and you're in! 👉 ececactionforum.rapad.com.au

20/07/2026

🖍️ Childcare access looks different in every corner of Central West Queensland - but the challenge is one we all share.

Join parents, carers, councils, service providers and decision-makers in Blackall on 3-4 August for a free forum focused on real solutions.

👨🏾‍💻 Please register to join us in-person or online.
🙋🏽‍♀️ Everyone with an interest in ECEC in our region is welcome.
🍽️ Dinner included on Monday evening at The Lodge on Hawthorn.
✈️ Travelling to Blackall? Visit the website for details on accommodation options and arranging airport transfers.

More details and register at: https://ececactionforum.rapad.com.au/

15/07/2026

💡 Help us fix a blind spot in how childcare is planned and funded for CWQ - in just 10 minutes

An online survey is now open, giving families and carers across Central Western Queensland the chance to record a childcare shortage that national data simply doesn't capture.

✅ Takes about 10 minute
✅ Open to any parent or carer in the region with children aged 0–12
✅ Confidential: reported only as combined totals
✅ Closes ahead of RAPAD's ECEC Action Forum in Blackall 3-4 August

👉 Complete the survey: https://thefuturecareproject.org.au/survey/

⏩ Please help us spread the word by sharing this email or survey link with your networks.

🎟️ Join us in Blackall or online, register for the Action Forum: https://ececactionforum.rapad.com.au/

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Barcaldine Regional Council Barcoo Shire Council Boulia Shire Council Diamantina Shire Council Longreach Regional Council Winton Shire Council Western Queensland Alliance of Councils The Future Care Project