The Whitsunday growth management initiative aims to deliver a strategic infrastructure and services plan for the Whitsundays.  Overseeing the project is a steering committee, the Whitsunday growth management group. The Whitesunday Shire Council and state government make up this group.

Due to the close collaboration between state agencies, local government and community groups the project has been endorsed as a priority project by the Mackay Whitsunday regional coordination network. The project covers the whole of Whitsunday Shire, but has a particular focus on high growth areas  in the Cannonvale - Airlie Beach area.  The project links closely with the Whitsunday Hinterland and Mackay regional plan.

The emphasis is on the strategic level rather than specific project planning, which is usually the function of individual service and infrastructure providers.  Importantly, the project is not intended to override or supersede other, more detailed initiatives of the council or government agencies.  Rather, it will recognise and rely on other planning documents wherever possible, while not necessarily constraining itself to them.

Functions of the Whitsunday growth management group (previously the planning and coordination group):

• Collating existing economic, social, environmental and infrastructure studies and establish a common information base.
• Investigating possible urban growth scenarios.
• Developing an integrated, strategic and collaborative approach to service and infrastructure planning.
• Involving stakeholders from business, non-government services and the community.
• Managing any funds that may be provided for development and infrastructure studies.

Progress

2007 - preparation of the plan

In April 2007, Maunsell was awarded the contract to develop the Whitsunday strategic infrastructure and services plan.

The project will be completed by August 2008.

2006 - Whitsunday strategic infrastructure and services plan

A decision was made to engage a consultant to carry out the project.

Terms of Reference for the project prepared and endorsed by the steering committee.

2005 - Whitsunday growth management initiative

The Whitsunday growth management initiative was originally raised as a regional proposal at the Ministerial regional community forum held at Cannonvale on 20 June 2005.

The former Minister for Environment, Local Government, Planning and Women agreed that the former Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation should coordinate the activities undertaken through this initiative.

Deliverables

The project will produce the following deliverables:

• A strategic infrastructure and services plan for the Whitsundays including an integrated service and infrastructure strategy, key future projects and gaps identified, with estimated costs, timeframes and accountabilities.
• An infrastructure implementation plan that identifies the key actions/projects that will achieve beneficial outcomes and prioritise actions.
• A traffic model for Shute Harbour Road .