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A draft 20-year plan released for North Queensland has pledged to protect the Burdekin's productive agricultural land while planning for new housing, infrastructure and economic growth.
Burdekin Shire is one of just five council areas directly covered by the North Queensland Regional Plan, meaning decisions made through the planning process will help shape the district's future development.
The draft plan is accompanied by a North Queensland Infrastructure Plan, bringing future land use together with planning for transport, water, energy, digital connectivity and social and community infrastructure.
For the Burdekin, where agriculture remains a cornerstone of the local economy, Member for Burdekin Dale Last said protecting productive land must remain central to decisions about future growth.
“The Burdekin is an agricultural powerhouse and an important contributor to Queensland’s economy and protecting our productive land must remain a priority as the region grows,” Mr Last said.
“This draft plan provides an opportunity for local communities, farmers, businesses and industry to have their say on how North Queensland grows over the next two decades.”
The regional planning framework is particularly significant for agricultural communities because Queensland's planning system recognises priority agricultural and strategic cropping areas when managing competing land uses.
Alongside protecting established industries, the North Queensland planning process is focused on housing supply and economic development and will provide direction for future local planning and development assessment.
That gives Burdekin residents and industry an opportunity to weigh in on how growth should be accommodated while retaining the productive land and economic strengths already supporting the district.
Farmers, businesses, industry groups and residents can make submissions on the draft plan during the public consultation period.
Feedback closes on Tuesday 29th September.
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