Local Government Activities
The importance of the role that local government might play in relation to the realisation of the aims of The Queensland Plan was demonstrated by the launching of the Plan by the State Government at the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) Regional Economic Development conference in Hervey Bay on 31 July 2014.
Local governments can play an instrumental role in their communities and activities to help bring The Queensland Plan’s longer-term, future-focused vision for Queensland to life.
Since then, and during 2014–15, local governments across Queensland have undertaken activities and initiatives that align with the nine foundation areas of The Queensland Plan: education, community, regions, economy, health and wellbeing, environment, people, infrastructure and governance.
Many councils’ corporate plans align with the foundations of The Queensland Plan, envisioning well planned, prosperous and cohesive communities working towards shared goals of economic prosperity and opportunities for all. The corporate plans of Burke, Charters Towers, Hinchinbrook and Whitsunday provide great examples of how councils are doing this. Whitsunday Regional Council’s Corporate Plan 2014–19 “Whitsunday 2020”, for example, includes a table which demonstrates how the Corporate Plan aligns with The Queensland Plan, using a system of primary alignments and secondary alignments to reflect how the two plans interact.
The Queensland Plan’s foundations provide a basis for councils to plan to benefit communities holistically and address needs specific to particular regions. The case studies below provide a shapshot of the ways local governments have reflected The Queensland Plan’s goals and visions.
Looking to 2015–16, local governments will continue to progress initiatives and carry on activities that align with The Queensland Plan and its implementation.
The Queensland Government’s publicly expressed commitment to The Queensland Plan will be vital to its successful implementation. Local government will focus on working with the Queensland Government, business and the community for all Queenslanders.
Councillor Margaret De Wit
President
Local Government Association of Queensland
Logan City Council
Logan City Council is experiencing one of the fastest growth rates in the state. Logan Water Alliance is one of the largest water infrastructure delivery programs of its type in Australia. It has saved Logan City Council at least $96 million in capital costs since 2009. The Alliance will deliver up to $180 million worth of water and wastewater infrastructure between 2015 and 2020. About 80 people work for the Alliance in areas such as environmental management, information technology and human resources. About a quarter are Logan City Council employees.
Links to The Queensland Plan foundation areas: regions, economy, infrastructure, people and governance.
Moreton Bay Regional Council
Moreton Bay Regional Council has rolled out an energy efficiency program across 24 community facilities, reducing council energy consumption by 20 per cent. The jewel in its crown is ‘The Corso’, an Australian first 5 Star Green Star public building and state-of-the-art community complex. The council’s desire to inspire and influence the design and features of new buildings and homes across the region led down the path of investing in green infrastructure and addressing the environmental sustainability of its existing community buildings. As one of the fastest growing regions in the southern hemisphere, council needed to provide its community with efficient, productive, sustainable and future-proofed assets, while keeping them as affordable as possible.
Links to The Queensland Plan foundation areas: environment, economy, education, infrastructure and governance.
Winton Shire Council
In response to the environment of fiscal constraint at both a state and national level, Winton Shire launched an investigation into the energy potential of a natural asset running right under their feet – the Great Artesian Basin. Beneath the red dirt of Winton lies an untapped energy source with the potential to power all of the Council's existing and future assets. Modelling conducted by LGAQ subsidiary, Local Government Infrastructure Services (LGIS), on behalf of Winton Shire Council, has shown that Winton’s existing bores can easily produce electricity not only to cool water for the community, but to power all of council’s assets within the town of Winton.
Links to The Queensland Plan foundation areas: regions, economy, environment, infrastructure, governance and people.
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
Facility expansion driving regional prosperity
The Blackall Saleyards are located half way between Mt Isa and Brisbane and are ideally situated for implementation of fatigue management plans, weed management, spelling, weighing and sale of livestock. The local economy is predominantly agricultural production. Over the past 18 years, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council has embarked on a program of growth and expansion for the Blackall Saleyards aimed at retaining as much of the wealth generated by this industry in this region.
Links to The Queensland Plan foundation areas: regions, economy, people, infrastructure and environment.
Balonne Shire Council
Community capacity building for disaster preparedness
The Balonne Shire experienced severe flooding for three consecutive years from 2010–2012, including the highest recorded peak during 2012. Following the floods, the Balonne Shire Council undertook mapping through the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (now the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources and Mines). The mapping “ground-truthed” previous floods and investigated possible levee alignments to protect vulnerable areas in St George. Governments and insurers urged local councils to mitigate against future disasters as much as practical, to reduce the strain on the recovery phase after a disaster.
Balonne Shire Council sought to protect the town structurally with levees, as well as to build the capacity of its residents (both those that live in town and those rurally based) to be better prepared for disasters.
Links to The Queensland Plan foundation areas: people, education, community, regions, health and wellbeing and infrastructure.
