{"id":204821,"date":"2018-03-21T18:29:54","date_gmt":"2018-03-21T08:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=204821"},"modified":"2020-08-10T14:05:07","modified_gmt":"2020-08-10T04:05:07","slug":"local-economy-looks-bright-mayor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/03\/21\/local-economy-looks-bright-mayor\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Economy Looks Bright: Mayor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell (Photo: SBRC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 21, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The outlook for the South Burnett’s regional economy is looking bright, according to South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell.<\/p>\n

Delivering a mid-term report after two years in the region’s top job, Mayor Campbell said on Wednesday there had been significant growth in the South Burnett’s agribusiness sector over the past two years, with the promise of more to come.<\/p>\n

“In recent years we have welcomed some major new players into our region including Gina Rinehart, the Costa Avocado Group, AAM Investments and Bega Cheese,” Mayor Campbell said.<\/p>\n

“These are all very big operators in the agribusiness sector.<\/p>\n

“However, this should not overshadow the incredible rebuild of the Swickers Bacon Factory after the 2016 fire; the start of the AGL Wind Farm at Cooper’s Gap; Proteco Oils’ recent efforts to set up export trade with China; or the growth we’ve seen in the dubosia industry.<\/p>\n

“Peanuts, beef and a range of other crops show the strength of agriculture in our region, and point a clear sign to Council about where we should be concentrating our focus in terms of jobs, new industry and increasing our population.”<\/p>\n

The Mayor said other highlights of the past two years included the State Government’s multi-million dollar investments in the new Kingaroy and Nanango police stations, a revamped Kingaroy Court House and the start of Kingaroy Hospital’s rebuild.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Others included the announcement that Bunnings intend to open a South Burnett outlet; Murgon Tannery’s expansion; efforts by the region’s wine industry to open export markets in Hong Kong; and the opening or expansion of supermarkets in Blackbutt, Kingaroy and Murgon.<\/p>\n

The Mayor said both the State Government and business investment was injecting significant amounts of cash into the local economy, providing a long-overdue and much-needed lift.<\/p>\n

“Council has also benefitted from the State Government\u2019s Works For Queensland grants,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Works For Queensland funding has enabled us to tackle $4 million worth of projects we’ve had to put aside for years due to lack of funds.<\/p>\n

“Once again, this money is flowing into our local economy and providing a boost over and above Council’s normal local spending.”<\/p>\n