Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan Released

The draft South East Queensland Regional Plan has been released and is getting ready to take on the sunshine state, with a 50 year vision for the South East focusing on community, affordable living, future jobs and maximising existing infrastructure.

It took extensive consultation to get off the ground, having received input from the region’s 12 councils, industry and the community.

“It’s vital that the SEQ Regional Plan reflects the values, needs and great ideas of the community which is why we worked in close partnership with the region’s 12 Mayors and consulted with South East Queenslanders to develop this draft plan,” Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Jackie Trad said.

She said the key to the draft plan is to sustainably cater for growth, as the population of South East Queensland is expected to grow to over 5.3 million people in the next 25 years.

“We are looking, for the first time, beyond the boundary of a 25-year plan and have developed a 50-year vision that looks ahead to the region’s longer-term future and how SEQ responds to global changes.

“Throughout the State we are seeing innovative new industries emerge, the delivery of exciting urban renewal precincts and more and more people choosing to call Queensland home.

“Through smart planning we can ensure that we are ready to capitalise on the transition to a services and knowledge driven economy. That means a lift in economic growth and more jobs for Queenslanders.”

Ms Trad said one of the important features of the draft SEQ Regional Plan was a focus on unlocking land that has been identified for urban development but has so far been underutilised.

“The draft plan focuses on affordable living – not just affordable housing – and looks at the way that people interact with their community and the services around them.

“We have identified areas of regional economic significance throughout the southeast to facilitate economic growth outside the major employment hubs and enable people to work and live closer to home.

The draft SEQ Regional Plan intends to focus on a issues ranging from greater housing choice, smart infrastructure investment, identifying growth regional biodiversity protection.

The government will shortly move to the consultations stage, with an aim to have the plan's contents primarily shaped by the needs and views of South East Queenslanders.

Residents across South East Queensland are being called on to have their say on the draft plan with extended public consultation open until 3 March 2017. There will be 22 community events where residents can talk to a planner in each of the 12 council areas.