{"id":214135,"date":"2018-07-20T21:58:50","date_gmt":"2018-07-20T11:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=214135"},"modified":"2020-07-30T10:18:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-30T00:18:37","slug":"kcci-pushes-for-start-to-cbd-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2018\/07\/20\/kcci-pushes-for-start-to-cbd-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"KCCI Pushes For Start To CBD Upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A failure to secure $2 million from the Building Better Regions Fund should not hold back an upgrade of Kingaroy’s CBD, the KCCI says<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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KCCI President Rob Fitz-Herbert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July 20, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the South Burnett Regional Council to begin a staged revitalisation of the Kingaroy CBD as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

The KCCI executive met this week and voted overwhelmingly to demand action on behalf of the local business community.<\/p>\n

The vote followed reports the much-discussed revitalisation project had been shelved by Council following the failure to secure $2 million funding from the Federal Government.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe town of Kingaroy simply cannot accept that this Council will not permit the revitalisation plan to begin,\u201d KCCI President Rob Fitz-Herbert said .<\/p>\n

\u201cStaged works need to start urgently, in line with the recent feedback from the consultation sessions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe funding already allocated in the 2018-19 SBRC Budget for this purpose needs to be released for works to begin now.”<\/p>\n

The KCCI has written to all South Burnett councillors urging them to take action.<\/p>\n

\u00a0\u201cWe are requesting the budgeted money allocated to the Kingaroy Town Revitalisation be directed to the respective departments, and redevelopment commence this financial year 2018-19.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe understand the SBRC was unable to secure additional funding from the Federal Government, however, the town requires investment and commencement of works in line with the feedback received from the business and public community. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOur meetings with the planning department indicated the priority was clearly parking (including RV), Kingaroy and Haly Street and a possible thoroughfare from Kingaroy to Glendon Street. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we make a start on our parking, signage and street appeal, within the Budget? A start now would show confidence in our local community. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe SBRC has invested over $250,000 in the project to date, and as stated by Mayor Keith Campbell many times, our town requires an upgrade.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Kingaroy\u2019s appearance is a reflection of our community as a whole, and is ultimately vital to our town\u2019s reputation. This reputation must be that Kingaroy is a great place to live, work, educate our children and draw investment to our region. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe last plan created for this purpose lay dormant for 15 plus years, and I am sure you do not want to see a repeat of this delay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Mr Fitz-Herbert said the KCCI was organising a forum so all Kingaroy business owners could have a say.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe encourage the business sector to attend. This forum will capture your thoughts on economic development and future town development opportunities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

A date for this event will be announced soon.<\/p>\n

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