North West Queensland on course for a sustainable future

Published Wednesday, 31 July, 2024 at 09:04 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Lance McCallum

Assistant Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Industrial Relations and Racing
Ms Julieanne Gilbert

  • 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)

Project name

Proponent

Description

REFF funding

Cloncurry Business Incubator

Cloncurry Shire Council

Support the establishment of an industrial precinct that will attract ancillary business to support industry diversification

$3,444,033

Critical Minerals Training Hub in Mount Isa

Queensland Government

Establish a Critical Minerals Training Hub in Mount Isa with training materials, industry information and qualified trainers on the growing critical minerals sector

$3,200,000

Mount Isa Industrial Land Supply – Kalkadoon Industrial Estate

Economic Development Queensland

Develop additional industrial land opportunities in Mount Isa to support new projects and investment opportunities 

$3,000,000

Mobile Renewable Energy Training Facilities

Queensland Government

Support regional training and delivery through Queensland’s first ‘Renewable Energy Training Truck’ with hydrogen, solar, wind and hydro training equipment and materials

$2,250,000

North West Minerals Province (NWMP) Tourism Infrastructure

Queensland Government

Support the 10 NWMP councils to develop catalytic tourism projects focusing on infrastructure that will promote regional investment and increase local supply chains and workforces

$2,000,000

North West Queensland Common User Grain Facility

Queensland Government

Develop a Common User North West Queensland Grain Storage facility to expand regional agriculture

$2,000,000

Renewable Energy Training Hubs

Queensland Government

Establish specialist Renewable Energy Training Hubs in Mount Isa with the specialist equipment needed to deliver specific training and education in support of Queensland’s growing renewable energy industry

$1,200,000

Growing First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals in North West Queensland

Queensland Government

Development of a co-designed investment plan that includes economic, market and climatic mapping to support the growth of First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals in North West Queensland, and determine the best productions systems, crops and species

$750,000

North West Queensland agribusiness innovation diversification

Queensland Government

Support agribusiness innovation and diversification in the North West through a new grants program with a focus on technology-enabled diversification pathways for established agribusinesses

$750,000

Renewable energy training resources and delivery of training (pilot)

Queensland Government

Develop and deliver renewable energy training and stakeholder engagement in Mount Isa and Cloncurry

$750,000

North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline – waste management study

Queensland Government

Complete a study to identify volumes of waste and opportunities to reduce or eliminate waste from the construction and maintenance of renewable energy projects

$650,000

Marketing campaign showcasing North West Queensland

Queensland Government

Develop and implement two targeted marketing campaigns promoting the North West Queensland region as a place to visit

$500,000

Drone muster simulator

Queensland Government

Develop a drone mustering simulator that amalgamates traditional mustering methods with digital technologies

$480,000

Etheridge Shire Agricultural and Irrigation Precinct

Queensland Government

Develop an investment prospectus for the Etheridge Agricultural Precinct

$400,000

Local government decarbonisation strategies

Queensland Government

Provide targeted support to councils to undertake a decarbonisation review and prepare a carbon zero strategy for council operations

$214,967

North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline – impact assessment

Queensland Government

Develop a North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline to identify the impacts on transport-related infrastructure and supply chains that will help to manage cumulative and regional impacts

$150,000

Outback Mount Isa Reptile and Wildlife Park

Mount Isa City Council

Prepare a business case and detailed design for an outback wildlife exhibit at the Outback at Isa visitor centre in Mount Isa

$150,000

Potential biofuels production using agricultural by-products

Queensland Government

Undertake a biomass and waste for Sustainable Aviation Fuel feedstock study

$125,000

Empowering Indigenous businesses

Queensland Government

Develop and deliver industry capability development materials to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses wanting to enter renewable energy industry supply chains

$40,000

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.