DNRM marks year of achievements

Queensland is back on the road to prosperity following a year of changes which benefit both regional areas and the resources sector.

Minister Andrew Cripps said his Department of Natural Resources and Mines had delivered on its pledge to start strengthening and restoring the balance Queensland’s mining and agricultural sectors – two pillars of the State economy.

“When the LNP Government was elected in March 2012, we promised Queenslanders we would get our State back on track after years of Labor neglect,” Mr Cripps said.

“I am pleased to say that, one year later, a range of commitments have already been delivered by my Department.

“Cutting red tape in the mining and natural resource sectors was our top priority.

“With the passing of the Mines Legislation (Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2012 and the Land, Water and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, we have started unwinding the complex web of unnecessary legislation imposed on industry, which has been widely welcomed.”

Mr Cripps said his department’s achievements also extended to the agricultural sector, with this week’s announcement of an overhaul of the former Labor Government’s draconian vegetation management framework.

“The Government is giving landholders the opportunities they deserve to act as responsible stewards of their land,” he said.

“My department has also overseen the re-establishment of the uranium mining industry, and the taken the first steps towards developing Queensland’s oil shale industry – yet another example of this Government’s efforts to deliver Queensland new economic opportunities.”

Other key initiatives the Department has delivered in the past year include:

·         Taking the first step towards helping Queenslanders in Indigenous communities achieve home ownership

·         Releasing 90,000 mega litres of water from the Flinders and Gilbert Rivers for the development of an irrigated agriculture precinct in the north west

·         The allocation of $11 million for Queensland’s Natural Resource Management  groups

·         Cutting red tape for Queensland’s small miners through the Mines and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012, giving a shot in the arm to the sector

·         Developing a Six Point Plan to reform Queensland’s land access laws to strengthen the relationship between landholders and resource companies

·         Simplifying Queensland’s rural leasehold renewal strategy by removing the onerous future conservation area assessments as part of lease renewal assessments, and reducing the heavy burden of paperwork imposed on lessees during this process.

“My Department has achieved all of that, and more, in just one year, and I am excited about the prospects of achieving even more for Queenslanders in the years to come.”

For more information, visit www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 21 March 2013

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Paul Sutherland 0428 868 237