QLD GOVT BACKS $400,000 BOONAH SHIRE FUTURES PLAN

The Beattie Government today has approved $200,000 funding over two years – to be matched dollar for dollar by the Boonah Shire Council - towards the implementation of the Boonah Shire Futures Plan.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Anna Bligh said the draft Futures Plan, initiated prior to the announcement of the Wyaralong dam, takes a long-term strategic view of the Boonah Shire’s rural communities economic development and infrastructure planning.

“This study is consistent with the South-East Queensland Regional Plan 2005-2026,” she said.

“It is aimed at progressing Boonah’s agricultural future while allowing its regional communities to grow and prosper.

“Boonah has an important place in the future of South East Queensland and this plan will ensure that it has modern rural communities that will retain dedicated green space.”

Ms Bligh said the Beattie Government’s $200,000 for the plan would be matched by the Boonah Shire on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Boonah Mayor, Cr John Brent, welcomed the Deputy Premier’s funding announcement, saying it enabled the Council to go to the public in December with the draft plan, confident there was funding to implement the plan’s key strategies once they are adopted by the community and the Council.

The Council began work on the draft Boonah Shire Futures Plan earlier this year in a bid to ensure steps were taken to secure the rural Shire’s future sustainability.

The Boonah Shire Council is one of the first in South East Queensland to respond to the challenges set out in the SEQ Regional Plan by undertaking its own Futures Plan.

The Plan outlines strategies to manage the future expected growth and economic development of the Shire.

“The Council has developed the draft plan in close consultation with the State Government and I am really pleased that this productive relationship will continue into the implementation phase of the Futures Plan once finalised,” said Cr Brent.

“The Plan is about being proactive in ensuring the Shire’s future financial sustainability, while also protecting the rural lifestyle which so many of us first moved here for,” he said.

The Boonah Shire Futures Plan Report to the Community will be released for public comment and consultation the first week in December.

It will be available from the Council office, the Boonah Shire Library and on the Council’s website, www.boonah.qld.gov.au

The Council also plans to hold a series of workshops surrounding the plan in February 2007.

For further information:

Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379
Boonah Shire Mayor John Brent on 5463 3036