Mayor Keith Campbell - Economic Development Portfolio Report - 16 May 2018

Appointment of CEO

I would like to advise the meeting that I have confirmed the appointment of Mark Pitt as CEO of South Burnett Regional Council to commence upon the retirement of CEO Gary Wall on 7 July 2018.  Mark will start with us on 18 June 2018.  The selection panel met to assess a number of candidates.  The field of interested candidates who applied for the position demonstrated the high level of interest the position attracted.  Gary Wall has invested 47 years of service, firstly to the former Kingaroy Shire Council and then with amalgamation, the South Burnett Regional Council.  Gary’s career demonstrates his love for Local Government and the depth of his commitment to the region.  His knowledge and history was an enormous benefit and will be sadly missed, however, we wish him well as he prepares to retire.  Mark Pitt is a well experienced CEO having served in a variety of Council’s as part of his career development.  Mark is a very suitable candidate to replace Gary and we welcome him and his family to become part of the family of the South Burnett. 

Economic Development:

Investment Attraction

In April, Council’s Economic Development staff liaised with international business representatives from Sydney re investment opportunities in the South Burnett.  As a direct result of this discussion, Council’s Economic Development staff met with representatives in the South Burnett.  While in the region, the international business representatives were able to complete a number of meetings with key industry stakeholders and potential direct investment leads.  Progress is still being made in this area with periodic updates via email.

North Burnett Regional Council Economic Development 

Council’s Senior Economic Development Officer, Craig Tunley, met with North Burnett Regional Council’s Economic Development Manager, Melanie Lavelle-Maloney in Eidsvold to further develop relationships between the two regions.  The meeting incorporated a review of the renovations at the RM Williams Centre.  The meeting discussed further destination marketing activity and project alignment in tourism, business growth and investment attraction. 

Blackbutt IGA

After long speculation in the local community, Blackbutt IGA opened its doors.  This development is significant for the Blackbutt district and will continue to reap benefits, outside of local jobs, for the area.

Disaster Recovery

A workshop on the Recovery Activity of Local Government with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority was attended by Economic Development staff.  The Economic Recovery Continuity Plan is under development and it is expected to be completed in draft format in May.  This workshop provided some other definition of other Councils in the state who have worked in this space previously and have refined plans over longer periods of time, informing development of South Burnett’s planning process.