Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said 40% of the plan’s 136 actions had been achieved.

“The Newman government is working with councils to deliver better planning and better infrastructure in the hope to ultimately deliver more affordable housing for residents,” he said.

The Regional and Resource Towns Action Plan was developed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning after holding 11 workshops with relevant regional councils to listen to their planning challenges.

The plan was finalised in March 2013 and committed the state, 11 local governments and Ergon Energy to 136 actions for delivery within two years.

A total of $10 million funding has been allocated to achieve these aims, with funding going toward catalyst infrastructure to support future development, planning, investigation and research and native title issues.

“For me, a standout success story of this plan is Roma,” Seeney said.

“Here the government has fast-tracked development of the Clearview Rise residential development, improving the supply of residential land in Roma.

“In addition, $2.12 million has been provided to undertake sewer augmentation, $1.12 million to upgrade the sewer trunk servicing the Clearview Rise and $2.3 million to improve stormwater infrastructure within Roma.

“The state government has also transferred a 112ha parcel of state land to Maranoa Regional Council to complement an adjacent 500ha parcel of land council already owned.

“These initiatives accelerated the release of land to market and will see council better able to deliver affordable housing to Roma residents.”

Member for Whitsunday Jason Costigan, whose region is one of three new local government areas to be added to the plan, said he looked forward to working with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning on opportunities for his region.

“The resource sector plays a massive role in the economy of the Whitsundays and the neighbouring local government areas of Mackay and Isaac,” Costigan said.

“I’m delighted to see the Whitsundays included in this plan, which over time will help our region to better reap the benefits and meet the challenges resulting from the important resource sector.

“Currently, the department is examining the opportunity to develop land at Whitsunday Coast Airport and I look forward to working with them on that.”