North West Queensland on course for a sustainable future

• Queensland Government strategy to support economic diversification and decarbonisation in North West Queensland
• Mining and mineral processing, agriculture and energy identified as key industry strengths
• Region’s transformation kickstarted by over $22 million in state funding for 19 Queensland Government and council-led projects

North West Queenslanders can capitalise on the global transition to a clean energy economy by leveraging their skills and resources in industries such as mining and mineral processing.

The Queensland Government has today announced funding to support implementation of the North West Queensland (including the corridor to Townsville) Regional Transformation Strategy.

Developed following extensive community, local government and industry consultation, the co-designed plan identifies key economic strengths and industry priorities based on the region’s unique geography, resources and workforce skills.

To kickstart North West Queensland’s transformation, the Queensland Government will provide $22.05 million from the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund for 19 Queensland Government and council-led projects.

This includes $7.4 million for TAFE to deliver renewable energy and critical minerals training, including via Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Training Truck, and $750,000 for a co-designed investment plan to grow First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals.

Find out more about North West Queensland’s clean energy future at www.qld.gov.au/wearethefuture.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:

“Regional Queensland has an important role to play in the future industries that will underpin a low-emissions global economy, as identified in the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy.

“We’ve worked closely with local governments, industry and the wider community to co-design and develop a Regional Transformation Strategy for North West Queensland, which is one of four priority regions.

“It outlines how the region can harness its world-class natural assets and agriculture industry and emerging renewable energy industry to create jobs and drive investment in industries that will thrive in a decarbonised world.

“Opportunities include diversified, value-added agriculture, including First Nations-led opportunities, growth in solar and wind energy, additional minerals exploration, including critical minerals, supply chain decarbonisation, and tourism opportunities.

“North West Queensland has a strong, vibrant future and the Queensland Government is committed to supporting its transformation into a world-class, low-carbon economy.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“With the right training, in the best facilities, we’ll help more regional Queenslanders to secure the high-paid, high-skilled, hi-vis jobs on our clean energy revolution.

“Through Free TAFE, Labor is helping thousands of Queenslanders get the training they’ll need to become SuperGrid Superheroes on our Big Build of renewable energy and CopperString 2032.

“To do what matters, the new Miles Labor Government is committing $7.4 million for TAFE Queensland infrastructure and resources, including Queensland’s first Renewable Energy Training Truck, and a new Critical Minerals Training Hub at the Mount Isa campus.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Julieanne Gilbert:

“The Miles Government is investing in our regions to create sustainable jobs and stronger, more diverse economies based on locally identified strengths and priorities.

“Regional transformation is critical to achieving Queensland’s renewable energy and emissions reduction targets, and capitalising on our existing strengths to meet global demand for cleaner, greener and more responsibly sourced products.

“Funding is being allocated to projects that have been identified through regional consultation as those that will best support the region’s economy over the long term.

“These regions have a strong, vibrant future and the Miles Government is committed to supporting their transformation into world-class, low-carbon economies.”

Quotes attributable to Greg Campbell, Cloncurry Mayor and Stakeholder Advisory Committee member:

"The release of the North West Queensland Regional Transformation Strategy and the Regional Economic Futures Fund is another step in the right direction to support the continued  economic growth and prosperity for our communities.

Our council has already made significant strides in diversifying the local economy, laying a strong foundation for future developments.

 The Cloncurry Business Incubator supports the establishment of an industrial precinct to attract business that will support the growth of the critical minerals industry.

 The strategy highlights key priorities for the North West that will support further economic growth and create greater business opportunities but also to enhance the quality of life for our residents by opening up new local job opportunities in Cloncurry and across the North West.

 The Cloncurry, and the North West has always been an economic powerhouse and will continue to drive economic growth and job opportunity with a strong focus on a decarbonised future. It is through having a strong local workforce in the North West State Development office that the good intentions of the government can deliver such great outcomes.

Fast facts about the North West Queensland region (including the corridor to Townsville):

• Spans over 370,000 square kilometres, extending from North Queensland to the east, Central Queensland to the south, the Northern Territory to the west and the Gulf of Carpentaria to the north.
• Comprises 10 local government areas: Burke Shire, Carpentaria Shire, Cloncurry Shire, Croydon Shire, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire, Etheridge Shire, Flinders Shire, McKinlay Shire, the City of Mount Isa and Richmond Shire
• Currently home to over 31,000 people.
• Mining is the region’s biggest employer.
• One of the world’s richest mineral producing areas, containing substantial copper, lead, zinc and silver deposits, as well as vanadium, phosphate and rare earth deposits.
• Top five industries by gross output: mining ($9.5 billion), manufacturing ($972 million), construction ($681 million), agriculture, forestry and fishing ($622 million), public administration and safety ($377 million).
• Key industry strengths in a clean energy economy: mining and mineral processing, agriculture, and energy.
• The Regional Transformation Strategy for the North West and Townsville corridor builds on the Queensland Governments significant investment through both the $20 million North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy Implementation Plan to 2025 and the $50 million Mount Isa structural adjustment package.

Newly approved projects under the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF)

Alongside Regional Transformation Strategies the Queensland Government is engaging with the community and key stakeholders to continue to develop Regional Infrastructure Plans and Regional Land Use Plans to reflect and align the economic, infrastructure, land use and social aspirations of the region.

ENDS

This statement replaces the statement which was posted at 1:50pm Tuesday 30th July 2024.