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Bowen business leaders have not held back in sharing their thoughts on a newly released town masterplan, labelling it a âfeel good documentâ that fails to address a âdire needâ to develop and diversify the local economy.
The Whitsunday Regional Councilâs draft plan to âhelp shape Bowenâs potentialâ recently went out for community consultation, and Bowen Chamber of Commerce chairman Bruce Hedditch has been vocal about its shortcomings.
He claims it does not provide the roadmap for industrial promotion and economic development the town needs.
Mr Hedditch said empty shops and declining property values should be indicators âthere is a dire need in Bowen for something to happenâ.
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The cost of water and sewer infrastructure continues to be a sticking point for the Whitsunday Paradise project after the council knocked back another cost-sharing proposal from developers.
At last week’s council meeting, councillors considered a revised infrastructure agreement that proposed the council offset 100 per cent of the cost of water infrastructure and decommissioning an onsite sewage treatment plant, and 30 per cent of the cost of providing sewerage infrastructure.
The revised agreement came after the council knocked back an infrastructure agreement proposing the council offset 100 per cent of the costs for all three components – water, sewerage and decommissioning the plant.
Whitsunday Paradise
The developers behind Whitsunday Paradise made an alternative proposal similar to the first infrastructure agreement, but this time sewer cost offsets are set at 30 per cent rather than the original 100 per cent.
But it is recommended this alternative proposal is declined as well.
The developers made 304 submissions to the council and some of them are recommended for support, such as the width of certain roads and the staging of bulk earthworks. The Whitsunday Paradise estate is located 10 minutes drive from Bowen. Picture: Supplied
Heritage register
The Hook Island Underwater Observatory, Proserpine War Memorial and the Palace Hotel are being recommended for removal from the registry.
Six major items to be discussed at today s council meeting dailymercury.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymercury.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.