Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has been appointed to the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Planning Committee to help deliver a new generation regional plan for the Wide Bay Burnett region.
Mr Bennett said he was delighted to be a part of the Deputy Premier’s team to develop the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan, which would establish a clear vision and direction for the region for the next 20 years.
He said the plan was being reviewed to update and bring it in line with the new generation regional statutory plans being progressively rolled out across Queensland.
“It provides certainty about where the region is heading and a structure to assess and respond to challenges and opportunities,” he said.
Mr Bennett said the plan would provide real opportunities to identify and protect the region’s key priority areas, particularly agricultural land.
“The LNP promised to deliver better planning and reduce land use conflicts between the agricultural and resources sectors. These new generation regional plans achieve this by identifying and protecting priority land uses like priority agricultural areas and priority living areas,” he said.
“I’m particularly interested in making sure priority agricultural land is excluded from any extraction or exploratory activity from mining companies.
“It’s about making sure we get the balance right and ensuring these areas are protected for future generations.”
The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan will be delivered in four stages and will include public consultation on a draft plan. For more information visit http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/regional-planning/wbb-regional-plan.html
The committee held its first meeting this week.