SBRC Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell (Photo: SBRC)

February 6, 2013

The final committee for the new South Burnett Directions economic development advisory board is expected to be known by the end of February.

Deputy Mayor Keith Campbell, who is heading the selection panel, said today the South Burnett Regional Council had received 20 applications.

The selection panel will be conducting interviews over the next two weeks before announcing its final choices.

The idea to form a new peak economic and tourism development board made up of South Burnett businesspeople and community leaders was floated at two public meetings at Nanango and Murgon in early December last year.

Mayor Wayne Kratzmann – who will be the chairperson of South Burnett Directions – said the new body would be made up of between seven and 10 people; would be skills-based; and would focus on the entire region rather than specific towns or industries.

South Burnett Directions would work alongside existing bodies such as Chambers of Commerce without replacing them, and be tasked with guiding significant regional projects.

Cr Campbell said the quality of applicants for the board positions was “impressive”.

Most applicants live in the South Burnett, but two applications had been received from outside the region as well. These came from people who had interests in the area.

All applicants work in the private sector.

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