About Wide Bay Burnett
The Wide Bay Burnett Regional Portal
Wide Bay Burnett Online is your enhanced Google search engine that connects you to the world & provides fast and easy access to information, events & services in the Wide Bay Burnett Region.
A partnership of the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee (WBBACC) and the Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils (WBBROC) this initiative was initialy supported by the Australian Government's Sustainable Regions Program. Wide Bay Burnett Online stimulates economic development and connects businesses and residents to the world and a wealth of information relevant to our diverse region.
Operating as a self funded sustainable private enterprise, Wide Bay Burnett Online is now owned and maintained by the Wide Bay Burnett ACC.
Where and What is the Wide Bay Burnett?
The Wide Bay Burnett region is a diverse area that comprises five distinct sub-regions -Gympie, South Burnett, North Burnett, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg- the diversity and the size of the region presents a real challenge in establishing a regional profile or identity.
Brief “snapshot” of the region
POPULATION - The Wide Bay Burnett ACC region is situated between South East Queensland and Central Queensland, covering an area of 52,381 square kilometers or 3.0 per cent of the total area of the state. The region's estimated resident population at 30 June 2006 was 269,340 persons, or 6.6 per cent of the total Queensland population. The population is projected to increase to 352,565 persons by the year 2026.
The population of Wide Bay-Burnett Statistical Division rose by 8,233 persons between June 2005 and June 2006. This represents an 8.7 per cent share of the State’s population growth over this period. The region recorded a population growth rate of 3.2 per cent between June 2005 and June 2006 (Queensland, 2.4 per cent).
AGE PROFILES - In Wide Bay-Burnett Statistical Division in June 2006, 20.5 per cent of persons were aged 0 to 14 years, 62.6 per cent were aged 15 to 64 years and 16.9 per cent were aged 65 years and over. Migration and ageing have been identified as a significant issue impacting upon future economic growth and well being. A major study by National Economics has recently attempted to quantify the potential impacts and examine strategies to avoid negative impacts of the projected changes. This report is available at www.wbbroc.org.au.
BUILDING APPROVALS - In the 12 months ending 30 June 2007, there were 3,250 dwelling units in new residential buildings approved in Wide Bay Burnett region. These approvals were valued at $612.1 million and represented 6.6 per cent of the total value of Queensland’s new residential approvals over the period. The total value of non-residential building approvals in Wide Bay Burnett in the 12 months ending 30 June 2007 was $170.3 million, which represented 2.6 per cent of the value of these approvals in the state. The largest values of non-residential approvals were recorded in Hervey Bay City ($60.2 million) and Bundaberg City ($36.4 million).
LABOUR FORCE - The unemployment rate in the Wide Bay Burnett for the December quarter 2007 was 5.3 per cent.
This figure was higher than that recorded for Queensland (3.7 per cent). In the December quarter 2007, the highest unemployment rates in the region were recorded in Murgon Shire (6.7 per cent) and Hervey Bay City (6.6 per cent).
The lowest unemployment rates were in Monto Shire (1.8 per cent) and Mundubbera Shire (2.1 per cent).
Of Queensland’s total labour force, 5.3 per cent (117,214 persons) were located in the Wide Bay Burnett.
MAJOR INDUSTRIES - Primary Production (Sugar, Beef, Horticulture), Retail, Manufacturing (e.g. Aviation & Marine), Tourism, Food Industry, Marine Industry and Timber.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT - Following local government amalgamations in March 2008 the number of LGA’s has decreased in our ACC region from 21 (see map above) to 6. Each of the 5 new Regional Councils (Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Gympie, North Burnett and South Burnett) and 1 Aboriginal Council (Cherbourg) areas has distinct economic strengths and weaknesses and present different threats and opportunities.
NATURAL FEATURES - The most significant natural features in the region are Fraser Island, the largest sand dune island in the world, the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Sandy Straits (all these features are World Heritage properties). Other features of note include the Bunya Mountains in the South West of our region and the Burnett and Mary river systems.
The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee (WBBACC)
MISSION - The Wide Bay Burnett ACC is part of the Australian Government’s regional development network and operates in partnership with business, community and government to deliver local solutions to local challenges.
ROLE - The national network of Area Consultative Committee (ACC’s) provides an important link between the Australian Government and regional Australians. As volunteer community based organisations, ACC’s are uniquely placed to respond to issues in their regions and provide a vital conduit to government on local – social and economic conditions. The Australian Government recognises that regional growth, development and sustainability will be achieved only when regional communities manage change at the local level, realise their potential and plan for and lead their own development with the support of the Government, the community and the private sector.
The ACC Charter comprises three core responsibilities from which all activity is derived.
CHARTER
1. ACCs are key facilitators of change and development in their region.
2. ACCs are the link between Government, business and the community.
3. ACCs facilitate Whole of Government responses to opportunities in their communities.
In pursuing their core responsibilities ACCs will contribute to regional development by actively seeking opportunities to:
- Promote a planned and co-operative approach to regional development;
- Encourage the growth of regional business and employment;
- Identify pressing social and economic issues; and
- Sustain our natural resources and environment.
How to Participate
Every business, community organisation and event in the Wide Bay Burnett is entitled to a free listing in the Wide Bay Burnett Directory - if you are not listed let us know and we"ll get you included!
Businesses
Get your business listed for free in the Wide Bay Burnett Business Directory. More
Non profit, community or sporting groups
Get your organisation listed for free in the Wide Bay Burnett Community Directory. More
Special Event coming up?
Announce your event for free! To get listed in Wide Bay Burnett Events submit your event now! More
Contacting Us
To contact Wide Bay Burnett Online please visit Our Contact Form. Alternatively we can be contacted by:
Phone: +61 7 4121 7099
Fax: +61 4121 7095
Email: info@wbbacc.com.au
Post: 'The Globe', 190 Cheapside St, Maryborough QLD 4650
