Media Release

12 SEPTEMBER 2008

 

‘Good Growth’ model provides a NQ regional collaboration first for Queensland

 

In the first collaboration of its kind in Queensland, the councils of Hinchinbrook, Burdekin and Charters Towers have joined forces and adopted a ‘good growth’ model to improve their regional planning outcomes.

Using the innovative ‘place-based enterprise’ approach from the ‘Our Town Our Future’ revitalisation project in Ingham, which has now won seven major awards*, the councils are focusing on ways to secure the long-term local identity and lifestyle of townships in close proximity to the high-growth area of Townsville.

Robert Prestipino, Australia’s first ‘place-based enterprise’ specialist and facilitator of both the Ingham project and the North Queensland collaboration, said the multi-award winning Ingham model provided insights for other councils to manage their non-growth challenges as part of their regional planning process.

“Small communities can risk losing their intrinsic identity and lifestyle if future infrastructure investment focuses too heavily on the major growth centres,” Mr Prestipino said.

“Place-based enterprise promotes long-term vitality in a community by investing in catalyst infrastructure and projects. These are projects that work with the unique culture, character, talents and environmental attributes of a community to encourage local business leadership, employment growth and social diversity.

“With upfront public investment in a smart infrastructure framework, we can encourage private sector investment and achieve ‘good growth’ - that is, growth that strengthens a community and protects its unique identity,” he said.

Peter Mellor, Regional Director – Northern, for the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, said the place-based enterprise approach had been well received by the councils in North Queensland and the Townsville Centre of DTRDI.

“This process is an excellent framework for developing community consultation, to bring forward innovative ideas, and to develop some capacity building within that region. It is a positive overall collaborative approach,” he said.

“The model provides a targeted approach towards the bigger vision for a region and the elements needed to support that vision. In most cases these elements are infrastructure related, and the model helps communities identify infrastructure funding opportunities.

“Place-based enterprise supports regional and rural centres by helping them connect and collaborate with their neighbouring regions and cities.”

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Robert Clark, said the ‘Our Town Our Future’ strategy had demonstrated Ingham’s ability to generate new jobs and economic growth by building on its unique cultural and environmental strengths.

“The smaller townships need private investment in new business development, and governments at all levels must recognise that their investment in infrastructure is needed to create the catalyst for private sector investment and confidence,” he said.

“Each community has its own character, but by following the model we’ve used in Ingham, communities can be innovative in identifying what’s unique to them and what needs developing in their local government area. It can also help them build an outcomes-focused plan they can take to the state and federal governments for funding support.

“Thanks to this strategy and its long-term vision, our shire has been granted $6 million in funding from the state government,” he said.

ENDS

*The ‘Our Town Our Future’ project has become the most awarded revitalisation project in Queensland, receiving the following state, national and international awards for its innovation in community planning, process and communication:

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) 2008 National Landscape Architecture Awards
- National Award for Landscape Planning
AILA Queensland 2007 Project Awards
- State Award for Best Overall Project
- Award of Excellence for Planning
- Commendation Award for Research and Communication (for the project’s ‘Sweetwater’ promotional DVD)
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) Queensland Chapter Awards 2007
- Award of Excellence for Media (Public) - ‘Sweetwater’ DVD
International Association for Public Participation - Australasian 2006 Core Values Awards
- Highly Commended Award for Robust Public Participation Process
Planning Institute of Australia – Queensland Chapter Awards 2006
- Certificate of Merit for Rural & Regional Planning Achievement.

About Robert Prestipino
Robert Prestipino is Australia’s first ‘place-based enterprise’ consultant specialising in shaping town centres to support vibrant communities. A qualified urban designer and registered landscape architect, he has more than 25 years’ experience in guiding best practice town centre improvements. Robert is founder and director of Vital Places, and has received multiple state, national and international awards for his revitalisation strategies in communities such as Ingham. For further information visit www.vitalplaces.com.au

For further information please contact:

Robert Prestipino - mobile: 0414 550 975