FINAL RESOURCE SUMMIT COMES TO A CLOSE

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas and the Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson hosted the final resource summit today in Mount Isa, the hub of one of the world’s richest resource regions.

The Mount Isa resource summit follows two other summits held in other major mining regions – Dalby in the Surat Basin and Dysart in the heart of the Bowen Basin.

“My pre-summit visit in October was about doing my homework for the summits so I came here today with a knowledge of the issues,” said Mr Lucas, who chaired today’s summit.

“Today was about bringing all stakeholders together to discuss the best way forward for these communities.

“We want to work in partnership with key stakeholders so that together we can work towards a solution that’s in everyone’s best interests,” he said.

Among the key issues discussed at today’s summit were energy, Indigenous access to health services, the availability of child care in Mount Isa, airline services, tax incentives for remote living from the Federal Government , as well as education opportunities locally for young people.

“Water supply for the region was high on their list of concerns and was a topic discussed heavily today.

“The information gathered during today’s summit will be instrumental in assisting the Bligh Government to understand and address the challenges faced by this region,” Mr Lucas said.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said mining was one of the most important industries for Queensland’s long-term future.

“It underpins the region’s strong economy and provides jobs and job security for the people who live and work here. And while we all enjoy the benefits of the resources boom, we won’t turn our back on communities that are the very backbone of the mining industry,” Mr Wilson said.

“Mining is important to Queensland. Royalties from mining help build our schools and hospitals, put police on the beat and teachers in our classrooms.

“There are two valuable resources at stake here - one drives the economy and the other is our most valuable resource of all - the people who live and work in mining communities. We’re mindful of the interests of all parties.

“Everyone’s got a stake in the long term sustainable development of our resource regions and today’s summit gave key stakeholders a seat at the table,” he said.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan welcomed the Deputy Premier and Minister for Mines and Energy back to the North West today.

“In October I undertook a road trip through the North West Mineral Province with the Deputy Premier, which highlighted the issues affecting North West communities,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“This has been a great opportunity for attendees to have their say and there was a real willingness to work with the Queensland Government toward solutions.

“I commend the stakeholders on being so forthright today and thank them for their participation,” Mrs Kiernan added.

Earlier this year the Bligh Government released the Sustainable Resource Communities Policy, and in August it released the Sustainable Resource Communities Partnership Agreement, which recognises the need to build and maintain liveable resource communities.

The agreement is a partnership between the Queensland Government, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

'We're all trying to achieve better balance here, we need sustainable communities, prosperity and better outcomes for the future,” LGAQ President Cr Paul Bell AM said.

“But we do face complex issues brought on by accelerated industry and community growth.

“We need better information, shared planning and control measures to ensure we are operating on a level playing field.

“Councils have responsibility to provide for the community in the broadest sense, yet can be left in the dark when resources are being explored and operations developed.

“In Mount Isa today, competitive energy supply, road and rail capacity, water resources, accommodation, community services and safety were just some of the diverse topics being raised .

“We welcome the considered approach demonstrated by both the Queensland Resource Council and Queensland Government to date and look forward to progressing this important partnership work,” Cr Bell said.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche said that there is no doubt in the current economic climate that mining in this region is facing tough times.

“However, now is not the time to drop the ball on planning for the upturn, which will come,” Mr Roche said.

“We look forward to working with the government and this community to provide the energy, rail, water and community infrastructure needed to underpin continued prosperity in the North West.

“I am delighted with the Premier’s announcement this week of an independent review of how to best satisfy the energy needs of the region, which we hope will lead to sufficient and competitively priced energy so vital to future growth,” said Mr Roche.

In the coming weeks all feedback received at the summits will be available on the Department of Infrastructure and Planning website for public comment.

Media Contacts

Deputy Premier’s Office: Chelsea Toomey 0408 701 409

Minister Wilson’s Office: Ellen McIntyre (07) 3225 1819