Ministerial Statement: New 20-year plan released for Wide Bay Burnett

[ozbob]

Treasurer and Minister for Employment and Economic Development
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
01/10/2010

New 20-year plan released for Wide Bay Burnett

A new 20-year plan was released today that will provide a blueprint to guide the Draft Wide Bay Burnett region's social and economic development.

Treasurer and Regional Planning Minister for the Wide Bay Burnett Andrew Fraser said the plan would strike the right balance between managing population growth and maintaining the lifestyle that residents in the region currently enjoyed.

"Queensland is the growth state and with more than half of our population residing outside of the capital it is important that we have a statutory framework in place like the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan to guide sustainable growth," Mr Fraser said.

"The current Wide Bay Burnett population of 287,000 is expected to climb to 433,500 by 2031, making it the second largest growing region in Queensland.

"However, slow growth in one area compared to rapid growth in neighbouring areas presents very different sets of challenges as well as opportunities.

"For example the Fraser Coast is predicted to need an additional 21,900 dwellings whereas the South Burnett is expected to need another 5,000.

"This only goes to show the importance of good planning now.

Mr Fraser said the plan provided a coordinated approach to planning, infrastructure and services to manage the differing growth levels across the region.

"Existing regional centres and towns will be the main focus for accommodating the expected growth in the region," Mr Fraser said.

"In particular, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Gympie will attract the vast majority of the region's growth.

"Growth in these towns will be catered for through development of new residential development and infill development.

"The Kalkie/Ashfield area, the Nikenbah area and St Helens and the Victory Heights and East Deep Creeks areas have also been identified as development areas.

"This'll also allow for vital rural production lands and environ mentally sensitive areas to be protected."

Mr Fraser said the draft WBBRP had been developed with input from the Regional Planning Committee (RPC), comprising representatives of local governments and state agencies and local interest groups.

"We now want to hear what the community has to say about the draft plan, so a number of question and answer sessions will be held across the region until the consultation period ends on 24 December 2010," Mr Fraser said.

"The final plan will be released once all submissions have been considered and appropriate amendments made. It is anticipated this will happen in the first held of 2011.

The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan is part of the Queensland Government's wider regional planning program, led by Growth Management Queensland.


Public consultation on the Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan
closes on 24 December 2010.

It can be viewed at www.dip.qld.gov.au/widebayburnett

Information sessions will be held at:
Gympie Wednesday 6 October 2010, 6-7pm
Gympie Civic Centre, 33 Mellor Street

Kingaroy Wednesday 6 October 2010, 6-7pm
Kingaroy Town Hall (Reception Room), 41 Glendon Street

Murgon Thursday 7 October 2010, 6-7pm
Murgon Town Hall (Supper Room), 87 Gore Street

Bundaberg Tuesday 12 October 2010, 6-7pm
Bundaberg Civic Centre, 190 Bourbong Street

Tin Can Bay Tuesday 12 October 2010, 6-7pm
Tin Can Bay Country Club, Kidd Straight

Urangan Wednesday 13 October 2010, 6-7pm
Kondari Hotel (Whale Room), 49-63 Elizabeth Street

Maryborough Thursday 14 October 2010, 6-7pm
Maryborough City Hall, 388 Kent Street

Gin Gin Monday 18 October 2010, 6-7pm
RSL Hall, 37 Milden Street

Monto Tuesday 19 October 2010, 6-7pm
Monto Community Hall, 51 Newton Street

Gayndah Tuesday 26 October 2010, 6-7pm
Gayndah Community Hall, 34-36 Capper Street
Childers Thursday 28 October 2010, 6-7pm
Childers Cultural Centre, 49 Churchill Street

[Stillwater]

At a glance, motherhood statements and aspirational gumph, at best a pointer to lots of work in future.  Glosses over some of the vital issues and contradicts in several places.

Some extracts:
The capacity and more effective use of present infrastructure needs to be outlined and considered.  (yes, and... ?)
The region has a safe, connected, efficient, integrated and sustainable transport network and services  (some would disagree!)
Private vehicle use in the region remains the predominant form of travel -- around 90 per cent of journeys to work are by car.  The road network accommodates the majority of transport requirements.  (Is that 'integrated and sustainable'?)
Equitable access to transport is a challenge (no mention of possible solutions)
Transport area strategies will be prepared for a number of centres (possible way forward there).  The Wide Bay Burnett Integrated Regional Transport Plan is being developed (some hope then)
The transport network should improve the accessibility and transport choice by supporting opportunities for people to travel by public and active transport (no arguments there)
Gympie's locational advantages, lifestyle and affordable residential land is increasingly attracting people who work within the Sunshine Coast area.  The need for additional public transport services to the neighbouring Sunshine Coast should be investigated  (you betcha!)

[#Metro]

Sometimes when I think of these places, I think of Switzerland, but just without the mountains.
Maybe it is possible to have good PT, even here.

Perhaps they should give SBB a call...

[Derwan]

"In particular, Bundaberg, Maryborough, Hervey Bay and Gympie will attract the vast majority of the region's growth.

Maryborough hasn't had significant growth in the last 30 years.  In the same time, Hervey Bay's population has more than doubled.  (Actually - it's probably tripled.)

Private vehicle use in the region remains the predominant form of travel -- around 90 per cent of journeys to work are by car.  The road network accommodates the majority of transport requirements.  (Is that 'integrated and sustainable'?)

Currently there's not much in the area so in many parts, PT is not sustainable.  (The cost wouldn't justify it.)