Have your say on Blackwater development proposal

Blackwater residents are being given a greater say in the development of their region through the Blackwater East Priority Development Area (PDA).

A draft plan for the development of the Blackwater East PDA will be released for public consultation this Monday 28 October and proposes to provide over 100 hectares of land for new homes.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said establishing PDAs under the Economic Development Act 2012 was one of the planning reforms he had made to cut red-tape in the local government system.

“Our approach is to work from the ground up, empowering councils, empowering individual mayors and councillors and empowering local communities to come up with solutions to local planning and development challenges,” Mr Seeney said.

“To do this, I have set out to change the planning legislation, changing the processes of assessment, and most of all, changing the culture and attitudes within our planning system.

“The Blackwater East Priority Development Area was requested by council and is an exciting proposal that may see people working in Blackwater able to purchase a home close to where they work.”

Mr Seeney said all interested parties including the community, residents and local businesses were invited to view the proposed development scheme and make a written submission.

“The public notification period runs from 28 October to 6 December 2013,” he said.

“The proposed development scheme demonstrates the Queensland Government’s and the Central Highlands Regional Council’s commitment to building communities and encouraging people to work and live in the region.”

The proposed development scheme may be inspected during the submission period at the following locations:

• on the DSDIP website: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/infrastructure-and-planning/blackwater-east.html
• at the EDQ office: level 4, 229 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, 9am-4.30pm
• at the Central Highlands Regional Council Offices, 9am-4.30pm:
- 10 Mackenzie Street, Blackwater
- corner of Egerton and Borilla Streets, Emerald

Submissions should include the submitter’s name, contact details and a description of any issues of concern or support. They can be made by posting a letter to Economic Development Queensland, Reply Paid, PO Box 2202, Brisbane QLD 4001, by emailing edq@dsdip.qld.gov.au, or faxing 07 3024 4199. A submission form can be provided by EDQ or at the CHRC offices listed above.

[ENDS] 25 October 2013
Media contact: John Wiseman 0409 791 281 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744