August 27, 2013
Better telecommunications, training courses that lead to real jobs, creating a “South Burnett brand”, building better transport services for fly-in fly-out workers and taking more local control of tourism promotion are five key objectives for the region’s new economic development body over the coming year.
South Burnett Directions, the peak regional economic development group launched by Local Government Minister David Crisafulli on June 11, has released its first list of projects to drive economic development.
South Burnett Directions chairman Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said the group has been meeting monthly to work through ideas about how to boost the South Burnett’s economy.
“Late last year the Council conducted community consultation to form a peak economic body,” he said.
“We had an extensive list of project ideas to work through from these meetings.
“Since the organisation was officially launched we’ve finalised the key projects that we think will help drive economic and tourism development in the region.”
The selected projects and project leaders are:
- Public Private Partnerships Hospital/Medical – Improve the South Burnett’s medical services through public/private partnerships (Richard Fahy and Phil Harding)
- Infrastructure Projects – Work with existing South Burnett IT and communication companies to improve South Burnett’s connectivity (Barb Madden and Phil Harding)
- Education – Assist local students by identifying education pathways to employment within the region – (Georgie Somerset)
- Education – Improve relationships with universities and TAFE (Brett Heading and Richard Fahy)
- Employment/Jobs Programs – Assist economic development and international exposure by attracting backpackers to the region (Barb Madden)
- Employment/Jobs Programs – Identify obstacles and improve opportunities for the current skills and productivity of South Burnett’s demographic (Maryanne Pidcock and Linchon Hawks)
- Business Growth – Business Excellence Awards (Ken Mills and Wayne Kratzmann)
- Business Growth – Mentoring For Growth (Graham Archdall)
- Tourism – Industry Events and the South Burnett Brand (Maryanne Pidcock, John Carey and Phil Harding)
- FIFO/DIDO – Facilitate Transport Service for FIFO and DIDO (John Carey, Phil Harding)
The South Burnett Directions steering committee is now looking to put together working groups for each project.
“We are calling on people who are passionate about a particular project to put forward an expression of interest to join one of the working groups,” SBRC Economic Development Manager Phil Harding said.
“The working groups will meet monthly to work on their projects and report back to South Burnett Directions’ steering committee.”
To put in an Expression of Interest for one of the South Burnett Directions’ projects, email SBRC Economic Development Officer Kimberley Dove or phone her on (07) 4189-9100.
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