August 17, 2017
The South Burnett Regional Council wants to see 3000 new jobs created in the region over the coming three years, as well as a 300 per cent increase in tourism revenues.
The ambitious targets are the centrepiece of a three-year economic development strategy that will guide the Council’s efforts until mid-2020.
The strategy was adopted unanimously at this month’s Council meeting.
It calls on the Council to reinforce the “South Burnett brand” at every opportunity.
The Council will also encourage the region’s residents to get more involved with tourism.
It particularly wants to encourage people who come to stay with relatives and friends in the region to get out and explore more of the area, in an effort to get them to stay longer and spend more.
The Council also wants to encourage the development of high-performing businesses by creating programs that support business development, as well as expose them to new learning opportunities.
This week, Mayor Keith Campbell told southburnett.com.au while the strategy might seem an ambitious one, it was not unattainable.
“If every business in our region employed just one more person over the next three years, we could create 3000 new jobs,” the Mayor said.
“And if relatives and friends encouraged guests staying with them to get out and enjoy things like our wineries, the Bunya Mountains, the two dams or the Rail Trail, that could make a big difference to our tourism revenues, too.”
The Mayor said signature events such as Wine and Food In The Park, the Blackbutt Avocado Festival, the Nanango and Murgon Music Musters, the Wondai Sprints and many others already draw thousands of people to the region each year.
So did many sporting events like the South Burnett Soccer Sevens and many rugby league, AFL and cricket competitions.
Marketing the many attractions of the region to these visitors was another area that could pay big dividends.
The new strategy was adopted unanimously at Wednesday’s Council meeting.
- Download: 2017-2020 Economic Development Strategy (984kb PDF)
- Editorial: New Plan Not A Bad Idea
