Cameron Dick.
An economy-boosting strategy for North West Queensland to attract investment and deliver jobs in resources, business, industry, agriculture and tourism has been released by the Palaszczuk Government.
“The North West is home to many of the metals needed for electric and hybrid vehicles, lithium batteries, wind turbine generators and solar panels,” state development minister Cameron Dick says, adding that the North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy will be backed by an implementation plan to quickly deliver outcomes.
“Key supply chain and value-adding industries in Townsville and surrounding regions are of strategic importance to the North West Minerals Province,” he says of the $39 million blueprint for that area.
“Mineral resources will remain the region’s primary industry but to counter commodity cycle impacts, as well as severe weather events, the strategy outlines new ways to enhance the investment environment, boost supply chains and sustain thriving communities.”
Feedback on the draft strategy confirms local government, industry and residents are keen to see new projects rolled out as soon as possible, Dick says.
These include energy – $1.68 million towards energy supply and transmission projects, including $1.18 million to Copperstring 2.0 to support it’s $1 billion project and $500,000 to work with stakeholders to develop opportunities for new common user electricity infrastructure
“We also reduced rail access charges on the Mount Isa Line by $80 million over four years and are supporting the development of a new common user multi modal container terminal at the Port of Townsville, that will improve the efficiency of freight movement across the network.
“This includes a contribution of $30 million to the terminal, with the Port of Townsville providing a further $18 million,” Dick says.
“These investments complement our commitment of $380 million over five years to maintain and improve the line, making the freight journey faster and more reliable.”
The Palaszczuk Government is also supporting mines such as New Century through the Resources Regional Development Framework designed to promote investment in regions like the North West Minerals Province.
“Once executed, this agreement will assist to reinvigorate activity at the Century Zinc Mine (Lawn Hill), including over 260 construction and 240 operational jobs, the recommissioning of associated infrastructure, and the continued dredging of the Port of Karumba.”
