Blueprint for the future created at Summit

More than 50 people put forth their views for the future at the Western Corridor Summit held at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus last Saturday (28 June 2008).

An initiative of the Faculty of Business, the summit followed on from the recent 2020 Summit process to provide an avenue for those with an interest in the area to contribute to developing a vision for the region.

Throughout the morning, participants were split into four groups to focus on discussions in a number of key areas including:

• transport, facilities and sustainability;
• education, training, skills and innovation;
• communities, families and social inclusion; and,
• health, housing, well being and recreation.

Associate Director of the Faculty of Business (Springfield) Marie Kavanagh said the western corridor was a key feature of the South East Queensland Regional Plan and as such would be undergoing many changes in the coming years.

'Holding the summit has given residents and stakeholders an opportunity to engage with one another in a way that would not normally be possible,' Associate Professor Kavanagh said.

'Participants have been able to create a ‘blueprint' for the place in which they work, live and raise their families.'

Assoc Prof Kavanagh said the feedback received about the summit had been very positive.

'As well as using the summit to have their say, participants also used the morning to network and build stronger connections within their community and with key business, organisations and service providers.

'We will be feeling the positive impact of this summit for many years in the western corridor, as plans turn into action.'

Project Facilitator of NAPCAN's Play a Part Springfield project, Alana Dillon said part of the reason she attended the summit was to establish further connections with community members.

'I also wanted to share details of the Play a Part project with other participants as this is a project that highlights the benefits of creating strong, well connected communities,' Ms Dillon said.

'In our focus group we had a lot of discussion about what members of the Springfield community really want. Through the process of exploring this we actually created greater community connections and ownership within the community.

'From a professional perspective, I am fully aware of the research that demonstrates that this process of creating community connections can help prevent child abuse and neglect.

'The members of the discussion group in which I was involved identified the need for the establishment of a network of local services and agencies in the Springfield area. We want to work together to develop a greater understanding of the assets of the Springfield community. 

'Our focus group will meet again in a month to look at these ideas and work together.'

The outcomes of the Summit will be presented as a report to regional decision makers to use in their planning for the future.

To keep track of the results of the summit go to the Summit website or email usqspringfieldsummit@usq.edu.au or phone 3470 4528.

The USQ Western Corridor Summit gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors: The Queensland Times, Ipswich City Council and Springfield Land Corporation.

Media Contact: Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979