The Queensland Government has released a new Queensland Regionalisation Strategy which aims to maximise the long-term economic growth and liveability of Queensland’s regions

 

Premier Anna Bligh said the Strategy “builds on the traditional strengths of each region and encourages people and businesses to consider the advantages of other regions outside the heavily populated south-east.”

 

“By 2031 another 2.5 million people are expected to call Queensland home, from 4.5 million to 7 million, and the average age of the population will continue to rise. We can’t stop population growth but, in consultation with the community, we can manage it in a controlled way so all Queenslanders benefit,” she said.

 

The strategy details 31 proposed actions to sustain long-term growth, encourage workers to the regions, support new business investment and improve partnerships between governments.

 

These include an integrated Queensland freight strategy; new energy opportunities; more local skills training aimed at regional needs; better regional relocation opportunities; jobs for Indigenous peoples; suitable industrial land; a single coordination point in government to support investment; and development of a regular map of significant growth areas.

 

The Queensland Regionalisation Strategy, which is underpinned by the Queensland Infrastructure Plan,

breaks the state into seven regions:

  • South East Queensland
  • Darling Downs South West
  • Wide Bay Burnett
  • Central Queensland
  • Mackay Isaac and Whitsunday
  • North Queensland
  • Far North Queensland.

It also links those regions with six distinct economic zones:

  • agriculture
  • minerals corridors
  • coal and energy corridor
  • gas corridor
  • tourism corridor
  • tropical expertise

 

Ms Bligh said that once finalised the Strategy will be the pre-eminent State planning tool, informing statutory regional plans, infrastructure plans and other supporting programs.

 

Community consultation on the document will run until September 9, and a program of community forums around the state will be announced shortly. For more information on the QRS visit www.qld.gov.au.