The Burnett community is encouraged to have their say on the draft Central Queensland Regional Plan released last week for public consultation.
Member for Burnett, Stephen Bennett said the plan would protect the resource-rich region’s towns and prime agricultural land while ensuring the co-existence of the sector with resource development.
“Mining in Central Queensland accounted for more than $20 billion of Queensland’s economy in 2010-11 and we want these economic benefits to continue for generations to come,” Mr Bennett said.
“But we must ensure resources development can co-exist with the region’s strong agricultural base and the key to this plan is resolving potential land-use competition between the two sectors.
“The draft plan safeguards Burnett’s most productive agricultural assets through mapped Priority Agricultural Areas (PAA), while ensuring the state can benefit from the abundance of coal, natural gas and other resource deposits.
“It means strict criteria for resource companies seeking to operate in a priority agricultural land use area and if a company’s plans are incompatible with the benchmarks the plan has set, it won’t happen.
“As a member of the Regional Planning Committee, I have attended the meetings – chaired by Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and made up of mayors, other local MPs and stakeholders, among others – and have heard a wide range of views and concerns put forward by the Central Queensland community.
“The Newman Government has considered these views and developed a plan that will not only achieve the best outcomes for the Burnett community but also secure a prosperous future for all Queenslanders.
“I encourage the community to read the draft Central Queensland Regional Plan and have their say.”
Mr Bennett said the plan aimed to ensure the growth of towns in Burnett was not constrained by resource development.
“The Burnett area has experienced significant change due to growth in the resources sectors and this land-use mapping will improve certainty for local communities and businesses.”
The Central Queensland Regional Plan includes the local government areas of Rockhampton, Gladstone and Central Highlands Regional Councils and Banana and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Councils and represents 6.8 per cent of the total area of Queensland.
To view the plan and find out how to have your say go to http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/central-queensland
Consultation on the plan is open until Friday 20 September 2013.