SENATOR CALLS FOR MORE CONSULTATION ON 2025 FNQ REGIONAL PLAN

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Opposition Spokesman for Northern Queensland, Senator Ian Macdonald, has joined with concerned local citizens in calling on the Queensland Government to extend the deadline for community input on the 2025 Far North Queensland Regional Plan.

“There has simply not been enough consultation by the Government with the community on this issue. The deadline is this Friday, the 8th of August, and many of the community’s concerns have not been addressed by the Government at all,” said Senator Macdonald.

Among the community’s concerns are the planned new urban centre outside Cairns and whether there will be jobs or public transport for the large number of people who will be living there, and new subdivision laws which may erode private property rights.

“People are telling me that the Minister and the local Labor members of Parliament are simply not listening to their concerns, and seem determined to proceed full steam ahead without addressing these legitimate concerns. This is the long term future of the region at stake. It is too important to rush. If more time is needed for community consultation and to make submissions, then I call on the State Minister for Infrastructure and Planning (Paul Lucas) to extend the deadline,” said Senator Macdonald.

“If we rush this, we risk making many the sorts of mistakes that have placed the South East corner of Queensland in such a mess lately, with aging and inadequate infrastructure that simply cannot cope with the increased population,” said Senator Macdonald.

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