Published Tuesday, 05 February, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Energy and food processing sectors taking off in Toowoomba
Parliamentary Secretary Jan Jarratt will visit Toowoomba tomorrow to chair the Fibre Composites Forum and meet with industry leaders.
Ms Jarratt will use the day to confirm the State Government commitment to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland’s growing energy and food processing sectors.
First up is a visit to Browns Steel, an engineering and steel fabrication business at Charlton which services the energy sector within the Surat Basin.
“Browns Steel is the kind of go-ahead company the Queensland Government is thrilled to support,” Ms Jarratt said.
“With some assistance from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry last year, the company moved into its new facilities at Charlton and has since increased its staff and secured some lucrative contracts
“It recently won the contract to produce ram shafts for the mining industry and is also involved in water recycling infrastructure projects.”
Ms Jarratt said Browns Steel was an example of a local business well-positioned to benefit on the development of the energy industry in the Surat Basin. Helping businesses take advantage of the developing energy industry is a key priority under the Government’s Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“This region is set to become the State’s energy powerhouse and ultimately a major exporter of high quality thermal coal and coal seam gas,” she said.
“The ongoing development of the area’s energy resources will provide significant flow-on opportunities to suppliers of mining and other services including construction, infrastructure, transport and logistics.
“The Department will work in partnership with local industry groups, mines, mining services and other supply companies like Browns Steel to ensure we take advantage of emerging opportunities and build on industry strengths.”
Ms Jarratt said food processing was the other key industry sector identified under the Government’s Centres of Enterprise initiative for the region.
“This area already generates about 25 per cent of Queensland’s crops and livestock and is known Australia-wide for its quality beef, cotton, wool and grain,” Ms Jarratt said.
“Based on these strengths the region has an almost unlimited potential for food processing, manufacturing and value adding, especially in fresh packed meat and vegetables.
“It’s also exciting to see how locals have embraced diversification which has resulted in investment in dynamic new industries like wine, game meat and organic products.”
Following her tour of Browns Steel, Ms Jarratt will meet with the Toowoomba and Golden West Tourism Authority and later chair the Fibre Composites Forum meeting at Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies in Toowoomba.
Ends
5 February 2008
Media can interview the Parliamentary Secretary:
When: 2pm Wednesday 6 February
Where: Wagners Global Services – Gate 1, Alderley Street Toowoomba
Media contact: 3224 2007
Ms Jarratt will use the day to confirm the State Government commitment to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland’s growing energy and food processing sectors.
First up is a visit to Browns Steel, an engineering and steel fabrication business at Charlton which services the energy sector within the Surat Basin.
“Browns Steel is the kind of go-ahead company the Queensland Government is thrilled to support,” Ms Jarratt said.
“With some assistance from the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry last year, the company moved into its new facilities at Charlton and has since increased its staff and secured some lucrative contracts
“It recently won the contract to produce ram shafts for the mining industry and is also involved in water recycling infrastructure projects.”
Ms Jarratt said Browns Steel was an example of a local business well-positioned to benefit on the development of the energy industry in the Surat Basin. Helping businesses take advantage of the developing energy industry is a key priority under the Government’s Centres of Enterprise initiative.
“This region is set to become the State’s energy powerhouse and ultimately a major exporter of high quality thermal coal and coal seam gas,” she said.
“The ongoing development of the area’s energy resources will provide significant flow-on opportunities to suppliers of mining and other services including construction, infrastructure, transport and logistics.
“The Department will work in partnership with local industry groups, mines, mining services and other supply companies like Browns Steel to ensure we take advantage of emerging opportunities and build on industry strengths.”
Ms Jarratt said food processing was the other key industry sector identified under the Government’s Centres of Enterprise initiative for the region.
“This area already generates about 25 per cent of Queensland’s crops and livestock and is known Australia-wide for its quality beef, cotton, wool and grain,” Ms Jarratt said.
“Based on these strengths the region has an almost unlimited potential for food processing, manufacturing and value adding, especially in fresh packed meat and vegetables.
“It’s also exciting to see how locals have embraced diversification which has resulted in investment in dynamic new industries like wine, game meat and organic products.”
Following her tour of Browns Steel, Ms Jarratt will meet with the Toowoomba and Golden West Tourism Authority and later chair the Fibre Composites Forum meeting at Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies in Toowoomba.
Ends
5 February 2008
Media can interview the Parliamentary Secretary:
When: 2pm Wednesday 6 February
Where: Wagners Global Services – Gate 1, Alderley Street Toowoomba
Media contact: 3224 2007