Council receives draft Regional Development Strategy
At the General meeting on Wednesday 28 April 2021,
South Burnett Regional Council received the draft 2021-26 South Burnett Regional Development Strategy and agreed to release the draft for community consultation.
At the standing committee meeting on Wednesday 21 April 2021, Regional Development portfolio lead Councillor Kirstie Schumacher discussed the draft Regional Development Strategy and its three key enablers:
- The South Burnett has appropriate infrastructure to support industry, investment, and liveability.
- Council delivers streamlined investment support and promotes well planned growth.
- Council attracts investment, growing the economy.
Mayor Brett Otto said this strategy will help to shape Council’s long-term strategic direction and inform the community of our approach.
“Council is focused on providing the infrastructure needed to continue its participation in the global economy, supporting emerging industries including local manufacturing and processing, as well as delivering livability and lifestyle outcomes for residents and businesses alike,” said Mayor Otto.
“The strategy will guide private and government investment, and support Council’s decision making and service delivery which reflect the priorities of our region. Council is committed to ensuring the lifeblood of our people, our businesses and local industries are supported in their decision to live, work and play in the South Burnett,” the Mayor said.
Councillor Kirstie Schumacher said bold thinking and real action is needed to leverage our region’s competitive geographic location, diverse industry strengths and emerging opportunities.
“Councillors and officers have been gathering feedback this past year that has been distilled and threaded throughout our draft Regional Development Strategy,” Councillor Schumacher said.
“Our region faces some challenging population trends and demographics; however, our diverse competitive advantages and many success stories prove we can rise above these challenges.”
“This strategy and the consultation that will follow has started a conversation on how we can share and replicate these success stories and will help us learn from the lessons of the past.”
“Once finalised and adopted, Council’s Regional Development Advisory Committee will play a key role in supporting Council to implement the strategy,” Cr Schumacher said.
Mayor Brett Otto said, “further to the strategy, a regional work plan will be developed with actions and initiatives in attracting people to live in our region, create businesses and investment growth and offer meaningful employment opportunities in the South Burnett.”
Mayor Otto said the strategy will be a living document and its regional work plan will continue to evolve over time, particularly once the members of the Regional Development Advisory Committee are appointed.
“We value feedback and urge all residents, local industry bodies, business owners and the greater community to be involved in the development of this strategy,” he said.
The draft strategy and feedback form can be downloaded from Council’s website until Monday 17 May 2021.
For further information or to submit your feedback, please contact Council’s Executive Services team on 1300 789 279, 4189 9100 or email info@sbrc.qld.gov.au.
Image: Mayor Otto and Councillors with the draft 2021-26 South Burnett Regional Development Strategy
