North Burnett Regional Council is leaving no stone unturned in promoting the critical needs of the community to those who seek to form government at the forthcoming State and Federal elections, with the adoption of its 2024-2028 Advocacy Plan at the Council meeting on 25 September 2024.
Council’s Advocacy Plan highlights key priorities for the North Burnett region and seeks commitments from other levels of government to enable these priorities to be realised.
The plan will guide targeted and opportunistic advocacy efforts and ensure consistent messaging – particularly in the lead up to forthcoming elections for the State and Federal Parliaments.
The priority items in the Advocacy Plan focus on practical and achievable solutions to advance the interests of our residents, local businesses and industries in the North Burnett. Each commitment sought is anchored in enhancing the region’s liveability, supporting local economic growth and infrastructure investment, and ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the people who live here today and those who live here in the future.
“Our Advocacy Plan prioritises areas of demonstrable growing need, not an extensive wish list,” Mayor Les Hotz said.
“The commitments we are seeking on behalf of our community provide sustainable and enduring solutions to securing new opportunities to preserve our lifestyle and generate jobs, while addressing some of the challenges that our residents – and our region – face each and every day.”
The plan covers four key priority areas with 10 underlying items:
- Economic Corridors of Significance
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- Gayndah – Mount Perry Road
- Mundubbera – Durong Road
- Supporting Housing Availability
- Mundubbera Water and Wastewater Network
- Biggenden Water and Wastewater Network
- Community Liveability
- Water Security for the Future
- Aged Care Support
- Improved Mobile Connectivity
- Gravel Pit Restrictions
- Fairer Funding for Council
- Restoring the Value of Financial Assistance Grants
- Improving Competitive Grant Conditions
“In developing our priorities, we have focused on the essentials to ensure the region remains positioned for success. Economic transport routes, such as Gayndah-Mount Perry Road and Mundubbera-Durong Road, are well-known opportunities for the region, unlocking greater tourism and fostering industry development,” Mayor Hotz said.
“Housing availability and affordability is directly impacting many residents right now and Council has identified infrastructure constraints that are hindering further housing supply.”
“Our priorities are about providing a bright future for our residents, our communities and our region, as well as enhancing the North Burnett’s contribution to the economic performance of Queensland and Australia.”
“Addressing these needs is both responsible and necessary, but we can’t do it alone. The North Burnett is a great place to live, work, and invest, and we are committed to working closely with all levels of government and the private sector to achieve even better outcomes for our community.”
Read our Advocacy Plan here: NBRC Advocacy Plan 2024-2028