BUILDING A TOMORROW THAT IS BETTER THAN TODAY

More than 40 business representatives attended the launch of Scenic Rim Regional Council's Regional Prosperity Strategy at a breakfast in Beaudesert this morning.

The five-year economic development strategy, adopted at yesterday's Ordinary Meeting of Council, sets a clear direction and roadmap for the region's future economic growth and sustainability.

Launching the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025, Mayor Greg Christensen told the audience that the ultimate goal was to create valuable jobs for local people.

"At the heart of the strategy is the need to create jobs for our residents that builds a more diverse, sustainable and dynamic economy, while also aligning to the existing initiatives in the Community Plan and the Corporate Plan," he said.

The comprehensive Regional Prosperity Strategy recognises the importance of partnering with the Scenic Rim's business community to build a tomorrow that is better than today.

"As a region we have some challenges over the next two decades, but this strategy embraces the opportunities," Cr Christensen said.

"We know we have a growing ageing population, and that many of our working residents commute to neighbouring local government areas, so the strategy clearly articulates the actions we need to take to create job opportunities for the future.

"Currently, our economy is underpinned by our strong agricultural industries, and the Scenic Rim's vibrant tourism sector that is growing each year.

"Together, these two industries contributed more than $466 million to our Gross Regional Product of $1.9 billion, or around twenty-five percent in 2018-19.

Other rapidly growing sectors in the Scenic Rim include health and wellbeing, transport and logistics, creative industries and business development services.

Major infrastructure projects such as Inland Rail and the expansion of large-scale industries, primarily in the Bromelton State Development Area, will help attract investment.

"There are a number of other exciting developments about to unfold in the region, including the sale of more than 30 newly released lots at the Beaudesert Business Park on the northern boundary of Beaudesert, which are expected to attract new businesses, new investment and jobs growth, and the exciting Scenic Rim Agricultural Innovation Precinct at Kalbar, which is forecast to attract a significant number of new jobs, new businesses and innovative new industries to our region," Cr Christensen said.

"It is some of these large, strategic projects that will enable the infrastructure build to support economic growth, while the Regional Prosperity Strategy provides clear direction on future initiatives to support future employment for our residents."

In closing, Cr Christensen explained to the audience that the strategy belonged to everyone.

"It's not just another Council document. While we will take stewardship of it, and help facilitate investment through our new investment attraction approach, the strategy belongs to us all," he said.

"It's the communities, it's the businesses and it's the future businesses that make the wise decision to set up here in the region.

"Together we can all build a tomorrow that is better than today, however we can only do it if we work together by partnering for prosperity."