Backing Queensland’s Mining Sector

As part of the Queensland Government’s Unite and Recover Economic Recovery Strategy Treasurer Cameron Dick has committed a re-elected Palaszczuk Government to the delivery of a Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan. 

Visiting Ziggy’s CQ Engineering in Mackay with Assistant Minister for Treasury and Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, the Treasurer said the plan will leverage Queensland’s natural resources, vibrant mining communities and common user infrastructure to ensure a strong sector for years to come.

“Regional development is one of six key areas of our state economic recovery plan,” he said

“Vibrant regional economies are critical to rebuilding strength of the Queensland economy, and our state’s resources and mining industries are central to the vibrancy of regional economies.

“Our state’s resources and mining industries have led the economic fight back against Covid-19, and they will help us rebuild the Queensland economy from then impacts of the pandemic in the years to come.

The Treasurer said that the Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan will help remove barriers to growth and be grounded in actions to help regional communities recover from Covid-19.

“While we will consult widely on the specifics of the plan, our key focus will be on:

• targets for industry growth
• responsibly unlocking resources
• capitalising on opportunities from clean energy to lower power costs
• ways to assist explorers discover the next deposits, through future rounds of the existing Collaborative Exploration Initiative
• opportunities to continue advanced processing of resources in Queensland
• opportunities to grow the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) sector in accordance of the Government’s 10-year METS Roadmap and Action Plan
• ensuring best practice environmental protections and rehabilitation, based on the landmark financial provisioning laws and the continuation of the abandoned mines program
• working with communities to maximise the resources sector’s contribution to its economic and social well-being
• review regulatory processes to ensure they are streamlined and any regulatory change of material impact will be subject to a 12-week consultation process and consistent with the Government’s Office of Best Practice Regulation Guidelines.
• facilitating access to our network of common user ports, rail lines and electricity infrastructure.”

“We know the resources sector will be a key element of the Queensland economy for decades to come.

“We owe it to the tens of thousands of Queenslanders who work in the resources sector and the businesses large and small that employ them to work together on providing a clear path forward for the sector.”

The Treasurer also announced the inaugural members of the Advisory Committee for the $100 million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund (RCIF).

“Together with the Queensland Resources Council we’ve assembled the right mix of skills, experience and representation to ensure the needs of resources communities across the state will be properly assessed when making funding decisions.

“Committee members have a broad mix of skills and experience in mining logistics, regional, remote and indigenous communities, regional and remote health and public administration.

“With the backing of industry contributing $70 million and the State contributing $30 million over the life of the Fund, there will be $100 million available to support additional community infrastructure investment across Queensland’s resource communities.

“I thank the Queensland Resources Council for their shared commitment to getting funding flowing to important local projects as quickly as possible.”

Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane has welcomed today’s commitment by the Treasurer to a Resources Industry Development Plan.

“The QRC wants to work in close partnership with the next Government to grow our industry to create more jobs and more opportunities for all Queenslanders,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“As the peak state body for coal, metal and gas explorers, producers and suppliers, the QRC is looking for the Plan to provide more certainty to the resources sector and the 372,000 workers we employ and 14,400 businesses we support.

“More certainty around government policy and a more streamlined assessment and approval process for projects will give our sector the confidence to invest more, employ more and export more.”

In addition, the Treasurer released Queensland Treasury’s Study of Long-Term Global Coal Demand.

“The study fulfills a 2017 election commitment, and confirms that international demand, particularly in Queensland’s key export markets of China, India, Japan and Korea will support Queensland’s mining industry over coming decades,” the Treasurer said.

“We know that the quality of Queensland’s coal makes it one of the most valuable commodities across the world, and our geographic location – along with our port and export infrastructure – provides a key competitive advantage.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the mining sector had been an economic mainstay during COVID-19.

“Over the past five years our government has facilitated $21 billion in investment in mining and recourses projects across Queensland, creating 8,000 jobs

“Traditional industries like resources and agriculture have helped Queensland weather the storm of COVID,” Ms Gilbert said.

“With COVID-safe plans they’ve been able to keep operating and providing jobs, unlike so many countries where they’ve been shut down or dramatically reduced.

“The resources sector delivers for Queensland, and it’s fantastic to announce these initiatives today, which underscore the vitality of the sector and the contribution it makes to Queensland.”

The Treasurer said today’s initiatives complement the Regional Economic Recovery Action Plans announced over the past week, outlining economic recovery actions and initiatives across the state, to keep Queensland moving forward as we recover from COVID-19.

“We are strong because we are safe. Our economy is rebounding when other states and countries are still in lock down and our traditional sectors like mining and the resources sector have enabled us to do that.

“Today’s announcements show we are backing those industries all the way, toward a brighter future for Queensland.”

ENDS.

Media contact:  Lesley Major – 0419 288 284

Resources Community Infrastructure Fund advisory committee

Resource Community Representatives

Fiona Jose, CEO of Cape York Partnership.

Tony Mooney AM, a former Mayor of Townsville and current Chair of the Townsville Hospital and Health Board and Director of Tropical Australian Academic Health Centre.

Jane Williams is the Chair of the Central West Hospital and Health Board and a Wellness Nurse at the Barcaldine Medical Centre.

Participating Mineral Resource Industry Parties Representatives

Melissa Johnson, General Manager, Hay Point Coal Terminal.

Leah Morgan, Specialist Corporate Affairs, South32.

Anthony Pitt, Director Logistics and Procurement, Glencore Coal Assets Australia.

Jess Roberson, General Manager People and Public Relations, Kestrel Coal Resources.

State representatives

Michael McKee, Deputy Director-General, Department of State Development, Tourism and Innovation.

Natalie Wilde, Deputy Director-General, Local Government Division, Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs.