Representatives from the South Burnett, Cherbourg and Gympie councils and local industries will meet in Gympie tomorrow to help “chart a course for economic sustainability for the Wide Bay Burnett region”.
The Wide Bay Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) is holding the inaugural Regional Economic Development Leadership Forum at the Gympie Civic Centre.
WBBROC consists of the the six Councils in the Wide Bay Burnett Region: Gympie, North Burnett, South Burnett, Fraser Coast, Cherbourg, and Bundaberg.
“Stakeholders will come together for the first time to share progress on delivering key economic development projects and initiatives,” WBBROC chairman Cr Ron Dyne said.
“During the forum participants will listen to Colin Graham, who was instrumental in establishing the Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre and has supported over 100 start-ups and 50 established businesses from a wide variety of sectors.
“Colin will reinforce how the Wide Bay Burnett is well positioned to take advantage of the resources currently available and be recognised as a region that entrepreneurs can establish a business, be innovative and commercialise new business ideas and be ‘the perfect place at your perfect pace’.
“During the afternoon participants will hear about the draft Regional Economic Development Strategy which will guide future economic development projects and initiatives in the region.
:The final plan is expected to be released in the first half of 2014.”
Other key stakeholders represented at the forum include the Burnett Mary Regional Group, AusIndustry, State Government departments, Regional Development Australia (Wide Bay Burnett) and industry/business representatives from across the region.
“Ultimately, WBBROC, and REDAC (our Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee), believes the Leadership Forum will provide an annual opportunity to ensure our stakeholders/ partners are updated regarding key economic development priorities but also gain an appreciation of the key governance framework within which these priorities are considered and delivered,” Cr Dyne said.
