Another 21 projects to back future industry across regional Queensland

Published Monday, 30 September, 2024 at 06:57 PM

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

  • The $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund backs another 21 projects totalling nearly $50 million.
  • Projects identified as priorities by regional communities across North West Queensland; Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett; Central Queensland; and the Greater Whitsunday region.
  • New and emerging industries with a focus on renewables and decarbonisation will attract key investment.

The Miles Government is further backing a new wave of economic development and jobs in regional Queensland.

Supported by the Regional Transformation Strategies and the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF), 21 additional jobs-generating projects based across four regional areas have been announced today, including:

  • $3.5 million for four projects in North West Queensland;
  • $27.2 million for 10 projects in the Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett region;
  • $15.8 million for four projects in Central Queensland; and
  • $2.85 million for three projects in the Greater Whitsunday region.

That takes it to 80 future-shaping projects across the four regional areas best positioned to seize opportunities presented by decarbonisation.

These regions are home to traditional, primary industries that today are a significant source of economic activity and jobs.

They also have unique opportunities to support newer industries like critical minerals, renewable energy, hydrogen and biofuels, which will thrive in a decarbonised world.

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

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

“We’re determined to harness the benefits of new and emerging industries in our regions for the benefit of the entire State.

“We are investing in our regions to create sustainable jobs and stronger, more diverse economies based on locally identified strengths and priorities.

“We will continue to partner with local government, industry and the wider community in the regions to unlock the benefits of the decarbonising economy.”

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

Project name

Proponent

Description

REFF funding

North West Queensland

LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use

 

EnviroMETS 

 

Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges.

$255,000

North West Minerals Province Audit of Mines Industrial assets

MITEZ

Undertake an audit of mines in care and maintenance, near to end of life and abandoned to identify existing assets that can be used to support new industries and/or for common use. 

$200,000

Gulf Savannah Development Farm Stay manual review

Gulf of Savannah Development

Update the Gulf Savannah Development Farm Stay Manual and promote activities to increase agritourism outback experiences via regional workshops and forums.

$50,000

Production of Battery Grade Ferrous Chloride

ESI Asia Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd

 

Conduct of a Concept Study that will look at the potential of constructing a commercial Chlor-Alkali chemical plant (CACP) that would produce hydrochloric acid and other reagents used for refining, processing, and the manufacture of critical minerals; and

2. Upgrade of the Battery Grade Ferrous Chloride (BGFC) plant in Townsville (the BGFC Plant) including the production and laboratory facilities to create the most advanced facility in Northern Queensland to support chemical production required for long duration energy storage using iron flow battery technology.

$3,000,000

Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett

Biotech Research and Toll Manufacturing Facility

FK Gardener & Sons Pty Ltd

Development of a business case and economic impact assessment to quantify the benefits of establishing a domestic Biotech Research and Toll Manufacturing Facility.

 

$500,000

Mullul Warril: Improving employment and economic outcomes, through building the capacity and capability of First Nations to participate in future job prospects, management of land and environmental projects

UniSQ

Regional pilot program that develops a scoping study focused around a governance structure to promote knowledge sharing, First Nations business development, bush foods production and the implementation of Caring for Country principles. 

$220,000

QCN Dark Fibre (Smart Country Enabler)

South Burnett Regional Council

Provide high speed connectivity to enhance economic, social and environmental liveability in the South Burnett.

$6,800,000

Kingaroy Water for Growth

South Burnett Regional Council

Increase water security for urban use and provide water security for agricultural irrigation through the construction of a new 150ML storage.

$7,084,590

Parkside Biofuel Briquette and Pellet Project

Parkside

The Biofuel Briquette and Pellet Project is a venture in Wondai, QLD, is designed
to convert sawmill and forest residue into renewable biofuel.

$3,018,808

High tech conversion of nut waste to high value consumer and industrial products.

Plenty Foods

The project is constructing and outfitting a new Industry 4.0 processing facility to produce enhanced protein and high palmitoleic oil.

$2,781,192

Next Economy Opportunities and Challenges for South West Queensland

South West Regional Organisation of Councils (SWROC)

Support South-West councils develop a long-term action plan that supports their unique transition to a decarbonised economy through diversification of mature South West industries such as oil and gas.

 $225,000

CO2 Generation from Boiler Flue Exhaust

Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd

Capturing and re-purposing of CO2 gas produced on-site at Swickers Kingaroy site will result in a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of 1,000 tonnes per annum. 

Design, procurement, and installation of required plant and equipment to enable the processing of the flue gas to extract, scrub, compress and store CO2 for use in the plant.

$1,820,000

Hub for sustainable products - Re-manufacture agricultural and industry waste to produce products that are currently not produced in Queensland

Vinidex Pty Limited

Establish a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recycling plant to recycle pipe materials, along with post-consumer commercial milk and/or other bottles.

This project will produce Queensland's first recycled poly irrigation pipe. 

$1,750,000

Keratin Production from Pig Hair

Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd

The project will design, procure, install and commission a processing line utilising biocatalyst technology to produce concentrated liquid keratin from hair and hooves, reducing the need for landfill and generating a new export market.

$3,000,000

Central Queensland

LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use

 

EnviroMETS 

 

Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges.

$255,000

Establishing a First Nations Business Hub

First Nations Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Support the establishment of a First Nations Business Hub in Gladstone that supports indigenous business participation in renewable project across Central Queensland region.

$1,400,000

 

Circularising fertiliser production in CQ enabling the bioeconomy

Mort & Co Ltd

The project will support the development of a fertiliser manufacturing facility to be built alongside the feedlot to utilise waste in a circular fashion to create fertiliser and improve environmental outcomes of the feedlot and agricultural growers in the region and the Great Barrier Reef.

$12,750,000

Workforce planning and Biloela Workforce Accommodation

Office of the Coordinator-General

The project will provide funding to undertake a scoping study, commercial analysis, and an implementation plan to support the development of the Biloela Workforce Accommodation Village.

$1,400,000

Greater Whitsunday

LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use

EnviroMETS

Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges.

$255,000

Bowen Food Futures Precinct

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association

Development of a business case to establish a multi-commodity processing facility and pilot plant to maximise feedstock potential in the region.

$2,100,000

Renewable Energy as a post-mining land use (PMLU) in the Bowen Basin

Queensland Resources Council

Determine the viability and connection costs of using post mining land for potential renewable energy projects across the Bowen Basin. 

$500,000