Published Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
$10M State Government funding helps attract big names to Darling Downs
Attracting major players in the processed food and energy industries to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland will be bolstered by an additional $10 million in State Government funding to strengthen regional economies.
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced the funding as part of a new scheme to boost Queensland’s high growth regions.
“The new Regional Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme will offer up to 100% payroll tax rebates and potential cash grants to firms relocating from outside the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is further evidence that the Bligh Government is looking after regional Queensland.
“The focus of RQIIS will be on targeting those firms who will build on and not detract from our existing industry capacity – firms with the expertise, the contracts and contacts to help take our local industries global.
“Building the region’s international profile as a world-class supplier of high quality processed food and energy from various sources will take full advantage of the region’s bourgeoning Surat Energy Resources Province and traditionally strong agricultural base.
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be first-rate.”
Ms Boyle said local firms would be encouraged to undertake R&D, adopt new high tech systems and improve productivity through the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) funding program.
“Up to $250,000 is available for existing businesses in priority sectors under BITI,” Ms Boyle added.
“Substantial thermal coal, oil and gas energy resources in the Surat Basin provide the opportunity for commercialisation of mining-related technologies and investment in power stations, gas pipelines and gas exploration infrastructure.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Darling Downs and south west Queensland’s economy.”
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said the successful Toowoomba-based Eastenwell Group was Australia’s largest privately-owned oil and gas services company with more than 600 employees.
“This company sets a promising bench mark for regional development opportunities,” Mr Shine said.
“Strengthening the industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy are key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy.”
Ms Boyle said the Darling Downs and South West Queensland region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Townsville and the North West, Mackay Whitsunday, Wide Bay Burnett, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Education facilities incorporating a university, TAFE, specialist schools and colleges including Stanthorpe’s College of Wine Tourism;
• New farming practices being developed to respond to the changing dynamics of climate and markets;
• Integration of food and wine tourism;
• Food production capabilities ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and meat to desserts, confectionary, dairy foods and ready-made meals.
Covering more than 400,000 square kilometres, this region stretches west from the Great Dividing Range to the South Australian border, incorporating Toowoomba which is one of the State’s fastest-growing regional hubs.
ENDS
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
29 October 2008
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle announced the funding as part of a new scheme to boost Queensland’s high growth regions.
“The new Regional Queensland Investment Incentives Scheme will offer up to 100% payroll tax rebates and potential cash grants to firms relocating from outside the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“This is further evidence that the Bligh Government is looking after regional Queensland.
“The focus of RQIIS will be on targeting those firms who will build on and not detract from our existing industry capacity – firms with the expertise, the contracts and contacts to help take our local industries global.
“Building the region’s international profile as a world-class supplier of high quality processed food and energy from various sources will take full advantage of the region’s bourgeoning Surat Energy Resources Province and traditionally strong agricultural base.
“As well as attracting the big names we want our home-grown firms to be first-rate.”
Ms Boyle said local firms would be encouraged to undertake R&D, adopt new high tech systems and improve productivity through the Business and Industry Transformation Incentives (BITI) funding program.
“Up to $250,000 is available for existing businesses in priority sectors under BITI,” Ms Boyle added.
“Substantial thermal coal, oil and gas energy resources in the Surat Basin provide the opportunity for commercialisation of mining-related technologies and investment in power stations, gas pipelines and gas exploration infrastructure.
“These measures are all about ensuring the sustainability of the Darling Downs and south west Queensland’s economy.”
Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine said the successful Toowoomba-based Eastenwell Group was Australia’s largest privately-owned oil and gas services company with more than 600 employees.
“This company sets a promising bench mark for regional development opportunities,” Mr Shine said.
“Strengthening the industries identified through Centres of Enterprise and Smart Industry Policy are key to giving us the critical mass and competitive advantage in a challenging global economy.”
Ms Boyle said the Darling Downs and South West Queensland region had been identified as one of the State’s high growth areas along with Cairns and the Tropical North, Townsville and the North West, Mackay Whitsunday, Wide Bay Burnett, Fitzroy and Central West Queensland.
The region also offers enormous opportunities for investors based on its:
• Education facilities incorporating a university, TAFE, specialist schools and colleges including Stanthorpe’s College of Wine Tourism;
• New farming practices being developed to respond to the changing dynamics of climate and markets;
• Integration of food and wine tourism;
• Food production capabilities ranging from fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood and meat to desserts, confectionary, dairy foods and ready-made meals.
Covering more than 400,000 square kilometres, this region stretches west from the Great Dividing Range to the South Australian border, incorporating Toowoomba which is one of the State’s fastest-growing regional hubs.
ENDS
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
29 October 2008