February 14, 2017
The South Burnett’s Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will be getting an overhaul next month, and the region’s business and development groups have been invited to have a say in the process.
South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell said on Tuesday the EDS was about half-way through its 2014-19 lifespan, and he thought it was time for a review.
“There are a number of issues that could potentially threaten our regional economy in the future, and we need to develop plans now to sidestep them,” the Mayor said.
“One of these is renewable energy taking over from coal fired power stations, which could see the Tarong Power Stations close in less than 20 years.
“We need to recognise this and prepare for it early so our region’s economy remains strong.”
Last week the Mayor wrote to the region’s business and development groups to invite them to submit their ideas for growing the South Burnett’s economy.
He also invited members of South Burnett Directions’ agriculture, transport and tourism reference groups to submit ideas.
The Mayor said all ideas put forward would be considered at an internal strategy session next month when the Council determined its forward plan for economic development.
“I think our chambers of commerce and business development associations have a strong understanding of their communities and can identify key opportunities that can help improve their local economy,” the Mayor said.
“So I think they should have their say in the way they want Council to develop our region’s economy, and I look forward to any ideas they have about how best to do this.
“It might be bringing in irrigation so our farms can expand their output, better heavy transport routes so we can ship more product to market, or it might be attracting service businesses that are immune to online threats.
“We have some clever minds in our communities, so the more ideas the better as far as I’m concerned.”
Ideas can be put to the Mayor, any Councillors, members of South Burnett Directions or Phil Harding, the Council’s Economic Development Manager.
Submissions will close at 4:30pm on Friday, March 3.
