What area does the regional plan cover?

    The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 applies to the following local government areas:

    • Bundaberg Regional Council 
    • Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council
    • Fraser Coast Regional Council 
    • Gympie Regional Council
    • North Burnett Regional Council
    • South Burnett Regional Council.

    For the purposes of the Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022, the region also includes Queensland offshore waters that are part of those local government areas.

    What does a regional plan do?

    A regional plan is a long-term, strategic plan (20–25 years) which is used by community members, councils and the state government to recognise shared opportunities and address challenges. This can include matters such as access to housing, employment, transport and freight links, and protection of farming land and environmental values, that extend over council boundaries. The regional planning process offers residents of Wide Bay Burnett a unique opportunity to help determine what the future of their region should look like.

    Wide Bay Burnett has a regional plan, why is it being reviewed?

    The current Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan was released in 2011. From a growing regional population to a global pandemic, the region has experienced significant changes since this time. The current regional plan is being reviewed to respond to these changes and position the region for the future.

    What will the regional plan seek to address?

    With more people choosing to live, work and visit Wide Bay Burnett, we need to ensure the region grows in a sustainable way – socially, environmentally and economically. The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 provides direction for the region to manage future growth while supporting future jobs, housing, liveability and the environment.  

    What is the public consultation process for the regional plan?

    The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 has been released for public consultation from 8 November 2022 to 24 February 2023 to enable the community, business and industry to have their say. All comments and feedback will be considered in informing a final Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan expected to be released in late 2023.

    How does the regional plan support jobs and grow the economy?

    The Wide Bay Burnett region is currently home to more than 300,000 people and the population is expected to grow by an additional 54,000 people by 2041. 

    The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 supports jobs and the growing economy by identifying key industry growth areas and signalling investment opportunities for emerging industries such as renewable energy and the circular economy, while also supporting the continued growth of the region’s traditional industries including agriculture and manufacturing.

    How does the regional plan address housing supply issues?

    Increasing development pressure and land availability may have long term implications on housing supply, particularly in the Wide Bay Burnett region. Housing supply pressures will also likely be experienced along the coastal areas and in the larger townships of the region into the future. The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 assists local governments to investigate and identify new urban development opportunities to accommodate growth. This includes providing better housing options which fits the needs of the community and promoting affordable and diverse housing choices.

    How does the regional plan address skilled workforce shortages?

    Competition for skilled workers and talent will continue across regional Australia. The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 includes guidance on providing well-serviced industrial land to help grow and attract investment and jobs which require a skilled workforce. The plan also addresses the need to increase employment and training by supporting the linkages between industry, education and training facilities.  

    How does the regional plan protect the environment?

    The Draft Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan 2022 seeks to ensure places with high biodiversity value and ecological processes are appropriately protected. This is done by mapping the regional biodiversity network for local governments to consider when preparing their planning schemes. The plan also nominates strategic environmental areas. In these areas certain development activities must demonstrate that they will not jeopardise ecological integrity or cause widespread irreversible impacts.

    What is the process for the WBB review?

    The current Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan will be reviewed and an updated draft plan will be prepared over the next six to nine months. Once prepared, the new draft plan will be released for public consultation to enable the community, business and industry to have their say. All comments and feedback will be considered, and a final Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan will be released.

    What are regional plans and what do they aim to achieve?

    In Queensland, regional plans are generally longer term (20-25 years) statutory strategic planning documents that deal with an entire region, rather than just one local government area. Regional planning allows the state and local governments to identify and facilitate opportunities for employment and population changes while enhancing the places and lifestyle residents love about their region.

    What will the review of the WBB Regional Plan seek to address?

    With more people choosing to live, work and play in the region, we need to ensure the region grows in a sustainable way – socially, environmentally and economically. The review of the regional plan provides an opportunity to respond to new and emerging issues and opportunities and develop a blueprint to manage future growth and ensure availability of the right land in the right locations to support future jobs, housing and recreation.

    Will the community be able to have their say during the review of the WBB Regional Plan?

    Yes. Throughout the review process there will be opportunities for the community to have their say and provide their ideas on the future of the WBB region.

    How can people contribute to the economic priorities?

    Through consultation with regional representatives as part of the regional plan review, an economic strategy will be developed that includes a set of key economic priorities.  

    If the region is growing, how can we accommodate more people and maintain our lifestyle?

    Given the region’s emphasis on lifestyle, it is essential communities continue to develop as great places to live and provide a sense of community and regional character. 

    Will the regional plan directly affect what I can do on my property?

    It is unlikely that the regional plan will directly affect individual properties.

    How does the regional plan protect the environment?

    A regional plan seeks to ensure places with high biodiversity value and ecological processes are appropriately protected. This is done by mapping the regional biodiversity network for councils to consider when preparing their planning schemes. The plan also nominates strategic environmental areas, within which certain large development types, such as mining and broadacre cropping, must demonstrate they will not jeopardise ecological integrity or cause widespread irreversible impacts.