Qld firms urged to have say on advancing state

Innovative businesses have until Thursday to comment on the Palaszczuk Government’s Advanced Manufacturing 10-year Roadmap and Action Plan discussion paper.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham said they needed to get their submissions in before the deadline closed on 24 March.

“The Advanced Manufacturing Roadmap is one of the six roadmaps being prepared under the Palaszczuk Government’s $180 million Advance Queensland program,” he said.

“The comprehensive feedback received from both targeted consultations and online submissions will be used to ensure the roadmap is relevant to our manufacturing industry.”

Dr Lynham said 59 small-to medium enterprises participated in targeted consultation sessions held across Queensland.

“Advanced manufacturers took part, ranging from the fibre composite space, textiles development, and food production and processing sectors,” he said.

“They came from Caboolture, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Maryborough, Southport, Springfield Lakes, Toowoomba and Townsville.

“Discussions were also held with research institutions, state and federal government agencies, peak industry bodies and unions.”

Manufacturers employed 169,700 workers in Queensland during in the December quarter of 2015, accounting for almost one in five manufacturing jobs across Australia.

Dr Lynham said he expected to take the draft Queensland Advanced Manufacturing 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan to the Industry Manufacturing Advisory Group in May.

“To give the industry certainty, I plan to release the final Roadmap and 10-Year Action Plan by mid-year,” he said.

[ENDS]           22 March, 2016

Media contact:           Stephen Johnson                     0410 578 131