Newman Government planning for resource towns

Towns in resource regions have received infrastructure upgrades and State land for homes and industry through the Newman Government’s Regional and Resource Towns Action Plan.

One year on since the plan was released, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said 40 per cent of the plan’s 136 actions had been achieved. 

“Queensland’s regions were neglected by the former Labor Government, which is why I set out to develop the Regional and Resource Towns Action Plan and deliver Royalties for the Regions from my first day in government,” Mr Seeney said.

“Labor mismanaged land supply in resource towns and their planning policies failed to address market changes, leading to an inadequate supply of land and unaffordable housing.

“The Newman Government is working with councils to deliver better planning and better infrastructure in the hope to ultimately deliver more affordable housing for residents.”

The Regional and Resource Towns Action Plan was developed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning after holding 11 workshops with relevant regional councils to listen to their planning challenges.

The plan was finalised in March 2013 and committed the State, 11 local governments and Ergon Energy to 136 actions for delivery within one to two years.

A total of $10 million funding has been allocated to achieve the plans’ aims, with funding going towards catalyst infrastructure to support future development, planning, investigation and research and native title issues.

“For me, a stand out success story of this plan is Roma,” Mr Seeney said.

“Here the government has fast-tracked development of the Clearview Rise residential development, improving the supply of residential land in Roma.

“In addition, $2.12 million has been provided to undertake sewer augmentation, $1.12 million to upgrade the sewer trunk servicing the Clearview Rise and $2.3 million to improve stormwater infrastructure within Roma.

“The State Government has also transferred a 112 hectare parcel of State land to Maranoa Regional Council to complement an adjacent 500 hectare parcel of land council already owned.

“These initiatives accelerated the release of land to market and will see council better able to deliver affordable housing to Roma residents.”

Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan, whose region is one of three new local government areas to be added to the plan, said he looked forward to working with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning on opportunities for his region.

“The resource sector plays a massive role in the economy of the Whitsundays and the neighbouring local government areas of Mackay and Isaac,” Mr Costigan said.

“I’m delighted to see the Whitsundays included in this plan which over time will help our region to better reap the benefits and meet the challenges resulting from the important resource sector.

“Currently, the department is examining the opportunity to develop land at Whitsunday Coast Airport and I look forward to working with them on that.”
 
A full report on the implementation of the Regional and Resource Towns Action Plan and achievements to date is available at www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/resources/report/rrtap-implementation-report.pdf

[ENDS] 17 March 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744