Economic and Community Development

 

Current Development Projects

CBD Revitalisation (Stage 2)

CBD Revitalisation Stage 2 works are almost completed.

Works included:

• Installation of a new kitchen and alterations to the Burdekin Memorial Hall
• Revitalisation of the Burdekin Theatre Forecort
• Revitalisation of the Home Hill Railway Station into a Visitor Information Centre
• Further development of the Ayr CBD, including planting of trees and installation of tree guards and installation of new rubbish bins and benches in Queen Street. Construction of off-street parking areas to service the Ayr CBD will also be completed.
• Signage for many areas of the Shire to compliment the existing CBD Revitalisation Project signage.
• Revitalisation of rubbish bins and benches in the Home Hill CBD to reflect the town's character.
• Development of Brandon Heritage Precinct, including renovation of the former theatre and landscaping of the area surrounding it. The area will focus on the history of farming in the Burdekin, highlighting historic machinery and other interesting components.
• Installation of lighting over Bientennial Arch in Ayr.

For more information on these works, please click on following Master Plans:

• CBD Revitalisation (Stage 2) Master Plans

Tourism Study

As part of CBD Revitalisation Stage 2, Council employed a consultant to conduct a Tourism Study of the Shire. The study will result in development of a vision for tourism in the Shire and will outline what is needed to further the growth of the local tourism industry.

Sport and Recreation Plan...

Burdekin Shire Council is dedicated toward providing a quality lifestyle for all residents. This includes ensuring residents' sporting and recreational needs are catered to. To compliment this process, Council has developed a Sport and Recreation Plan which identifies community needs and desires in regard to Sport and Recreation. Please find a copy of the Burdekin Sport and Recreation Plan attached below.

• Burdekin Sport and Recreation Plan FINAL phleisurefutures 20.04.07

Burdekin Multi-Tenant Youth Service Centre

The Burdekin has been successful in securing $1.05 million in State Government Blueprint for the Bush funding to construct a new Burdekin Youth Centre. The new centre will adjoin the indoor basketball stadium in Little Drysdale Street, Ayr. The new purpose-built facility will bring together the Burdekin's existing youth support organisations under one roof, as well as several visiting Youth Services. To view the business case for the project, click on the link below.

• Burdekin Multi-Tenant Youth Service Centre FINAL Business Case ph.leisurefutures.13.07.07pdf

Crop Diversification and Value Adding

Burdekin Shire Council supports both value adding and diversification initiatives in the local agricultural sector. Burdekin Shire Council has shown its support by:

• providing information on the Burdekin's resources, agricultural support businesses, networks and Government services to representatives of agricultural industries interested in our region. These industries have included Navy Beans, Kenaf and Lucerne;
• facilitating meetings between new industry representatives and local groups or Government Departments;
• lobbying the State and Federal Governments to provide funding for the development of new initiatives within the sugar industry, including ethanol, co-generation and cane tops for cattle feed, etc.;
• allocating all of the Council's E10 compatible vehicles to the local Ethanol trial and promoting its use;
• informing local groups of funding opportunities for their initiatives and providing assistance in writing funding applications;
• provision of Council meeting rooms and equipment for meeting/workshop purposes;

If you would like further information on a particular crop, please refer to the contact list below:

Crop	Contact	Telephone No.
Kenaf	Dr Steve Ockerby, NTA Pty Ltd.	4093 7228
Navy Beans	Keith Campbell, Bean Growers Australia	4162 1100
Peanuts	Patrick Harden, Peanut Company of Australia	4162 6311
Cotton	Queensland Cotton, Emerald	4982 1522

Information on crops can also be obtained by contacting the DPI's call centre on 13 25 23. You can also submit a contact form at callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au. The Call Centre usually responds to web emails within 24 business hrs.