QUEENSLAND SALUTES ITS PLANNERS

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning, Paul Lucas, has told State Parliament Queenslanders should to shake hands with a town planner.

“It’s often said great cities aren’t built in a day, and with good reason – they have to be planned first.

“As Queensland experiences an unprecedented infrastructure boom, coupled with sea change, tree change and climate change, the role of planning has never been more important. We owe a lot to our planners.”

Mr Lucas is urging Queensland to celebrate the contribution of its planners on November 8 for World Town Planning Day.

“Every aspect of our built environment is a product of planning – our planners are the visionaries of the future.

“Without planners the $82 billion South East Infrastructure Plan and Program and the regional plan would fall flat, they’d be nothing more than empty rhetoric.

“Thanks to the extraordinary commitment of Queensland’s planning professionals we’re planning, planning, planning and building, building, building for the nation’s fastest growing population.

“The South East Queensland Regional Plan is setting the template not only for others in Queensland but Australia.”

Mr Lucas said the State Government is now working on regional plans for the Far North, North West, Central West, South West and Maranoa.

“There are more than 1,100 registered planners in Queensland and like many highly skilled workers they’re valued but in short supply.

“World Town Planning Day is an opportunity to recognise the contribution of planners to modern Queensland and raise the profile of the profession.

“It’s crucial for encouraging school leavers to become the next generation of town planners so we can continue building the Queensland of the future,” Mr Lucas said.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 0448 184566.