The Honourable Anna Bligh
27/05/2010
Premier flags new era of growth management in Queensland
Premier Anna Bligh has charted a new course for managing growth in Queensland with the release of the response to the Queensland Growth Management Summit.
"The growth summit was a wonderful opportunity to listen to the community and I thank all those people who took an interest in it," Ms Bligh said.
"Today I am pleased to release our response, Shaping Tomorrow's Queensland, which commits my government to six priorities that will underpin our growth management strategies.
"It is important to say that this response is not a magic wand for the problems of growth in Queensland.
"I am committed to continue to work with all levels of government and the community to continue a dialogue with the community on managing growth."
Shaping Tomorrow's Queensland focuses on shaping our future, strengthening our regions, promoting liveable and affordable communities, delivering infrastructure, protecting our lifestyle and environment, and connecting communities.
"These themes will be supported by 22 new initiatives and 25 new supporting actions to manage growth across the whole state."
Key new initiatives forming part of Shaping Tomorrow's Queensland include:
· Establishing Growth Management Queensland (GMQ) - a new office within the Department of Infrastructure and Planning to lead the government's growth management agenda.
· Delivering a Queensland Regionalisation Strategy to encourage population and economic growth outside South East Queensland.
· A $11,000 Regional First Home Owners Grant to encourage regional growth - this provides a $4000 boost to the State's existing $7,000 First Home Owners Grant.
· The development of a Queensland Infrastructure Plan (QIP) that clearly links infrastructure delivery with population growth and economic development. From 2011-2012 the QIP will integrate other infrastructure planning documents, such as the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program and the Queensland Roads Investment Program.
· Establish an Infrastructure Charges Taskforce to further reform development infrastructure charging arrangements, including providing advice on available options for trunk infrastructure funding
· Develop a long term strategy to transform the inter-urban breaks in South East Queensland into major new greenspace and outdoor recreational opportunities.
· Task the Urban Land Development Authority with facilitating delivery of major new satellite communities in priority greenfield areas, initially at Ripley Valley, Yarrabilba and Flagstone.
The 47 new initiatives and actions will be shared across State agencies with the Department of Infrastructure and Planning building on its existing regional planning strengths with a broader growth management role.
"It is clear from the summit that the Queensland Government must manage growth properly to minimise the impacts on our environment and way of life, provide the regions with new opportunities and keep Queenslanders in jobs," said the Premier.
"The government response signals a new era of growth management so Queensland can continue to capitalise on the benefits on offer.
"I encourage all Queenslanders to visit
www.qld.gov.au/growthsummit to learn more about the way forward.
