Hubs to deliver for resource sector

Townsville is set to become a one-stop shop for mining companies wanting to boost mineral exploration activities in Queensland, providing a level of certainty for this key industry that didn’t exist under the previous Labor government.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps announced that, from this week, a new Townsville Minerals Assessment Hub would process all mineral exploration permits for Queensland, and would soon manage all mineral development applications across the state.

“This is a significant milestone in reforming the way the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) issues tenures to our mining company clients,” Mr Cripps said.

“It delivers on the Newman Government’s election commitment to build resources as one of the four pillars of the economy, by cutting the burden of red tape on mining companies.

“Under Labor, mineral exploration permits had to be lodged in person in the district where the exploration activity was proposed, with mining company employees flying to a provincial centre to lodge the paperwork and then flying back again.

“This paper-based system imposed unnecessary costs and inconvenience on resources companies in the first stages of exploration.

“Now lodgement can be completed with the click of a mouse, with applications assessed by DNRMs specialist team in Townsville."

Mr Cripps said the Minerals Assessment Hub had also created efficiencies by co-locating staff with expertise in dealing with this section of the resources sector.

“This plan will see three positions from the south east transferred to the north, creating a system that is more responsive to the needs of industry,” he said.

“This is a great example of carefully examining what DNRM does and who we do it for and ensuring our services are tailored to the resources sector.

“DNRM plans to create similar hubs to manage coal services in Rockhampton and for petroleum and gas in Toowoomba.”

[ENDS] 9 November 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Eleisha Rogers 0413 375 088