Surat Basin to help shape ResourcesQ

Local community and industry representatives from the Surat Basin will help shape a 30-year vision for the resources sector to drive growth and create jobs in Queensland as ResourcesQ rolls into Roma today.
 
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the workshop formed part of the Newman Government’s strong plan for the resources industry and would deliver a brighter future for rural and regional Queenslanders.
 
“We committed at the 2012 election to grow resources as one of Queensland’s four economic pillars,” Mr Cripps said.
 
“The $37.9 billion sector contributes one in every four dollars to the state’s economic activity and supports one in every five jobs, so it’s vital we have a strong, competitive and agile industry.
 
“This forum in Roma today ensure we have a better understanding of regional issues and opportunities for the sector in the Surat Basin.
 
“South West Queensland is the birthplace of the Australian oil and gas industries and has more than 4,000 kilometres of pipelines connecting gas fields to markets and processing facilities in South East Queensland, Gladstone and Mt Isa.
 
“This initiative will drive economic growth and will create jobs, so it is important we hear from our local resource companies, councils, businesses, training organisations and infrastructure providers.
 
“This is the first time a state-level strategic visioning and action plan process has been undertaken for resources in Queensland, highlighting the unfortunate failure by Labor to plan effectively for orderly and sustainable growth in the sector.
 
“It is a Can-Do approach which shows that only the LNP has a strong plan for the future of Queensland and the resources industry.”
 
Mr Cripps said the resources sector contributes significantly to the economy in the Surat Basin.
 
“The resources sector in the South West Queensland region employs more than 1,360 full-time people and contributes $2.3 billion into the state’s economy, with around $2 billion invested directly into local communities,” he said.
 
“Direct spend supports an additional 23,250 local jobs and invests a further $2 billion into regional economies through local purchases.
 
“Production of both coal and CSG in the Surat Basin alone is expected to increase ten-fold by 2031 – doubling Gross Regional Product and contributing $9.3 billion and an extra 12,500 jobs to the Surat Basin.
 
“This workshop will build upon previous input from resource industry and supply chain leaders, as well as three workshops already held in Mount Isa, Cairns and Gladstone, with a  fifth workshop to be held in Emerald in early June.
 
“Consultation across the sector and in key resource regions will ensure industry has maximum opportunity to guide the strategic direction for the resources sector.”
 
More information about the ResourcesQ initiative is available at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/resourcesq

[ENDS] 28 May 2014 

Media contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516