Queensland Government approves 10 new projects to support Mount Isa jobs
Ahead of planned mine closes by resources giant Glencore, the Queensland Government has approved 10 projects to support almost 500 local jobs in Mount Isa.
These projects are being funded via the $20m Mount Isa Transition Fund which includes $14.7m for program delivery costs associated with the projects and $5.3m for the Mount Isa City Council to implement projects identified through its own economic transition strategy.
The fund is part of the broader $50m structural adjustment package which also includes $30m to accelerate resources projects in the Northwest Minerals Province.
Combined, the 10 projects are expected to create an estimated 483 full-time equivalent construction and ongoing jobs.
Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart commented on the projects.
“Mount Isa has been the backbone of Queensland’s resources industry for over a century and [our] Government firmly believes the city will continue to play that role for the next 100 years,” he said.
“The structural adjustment package complements the $30m Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program which will expedite mining projects in the North West Minerals Province, creating almost 1000 long-term jobs.”
Organisations funded through the Mount Isa Transition Fund include:
- Agriflex: Expanding the production of the Ardmore phosphate rock mine
- NW Commercial Laundry: Purchase of site and construction of an all-electric commercial laundry to service mines, restaurants and other industries in the Mount Isa region and surrounds
- Calibre Engineering: Expand the existing Calibre Engineering Mica Creek Facility shed, including the purchase and installation of an overhead crane
- Queensland Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association: Upgrade existing PCYC gym facilities, including installation of an all-weather cover for the existing basketball court to provide an expanded basketball program
- Mount Isa Day Nursery and Kindergarten: Expand the capacity of childcare services available in Mount Isa by training new staff, acquiring land and building
- Mount Isa Rugby League Association Incorporated: Upgrade the existing Mount Isa rugby league sporting field facility in conjunction with Healy State School
- North West Hospital and Health Service: Refurbish existing leased commercial space to provide office and clinical treatment areas to expand capacity for mental health services provided by Mount Isa Hospital
- Mount Isa Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services: Restore the culturally significant Burke Street Riverbed area and establishment of community access and facilities, including clearing, landscaping, installation of essential services and provision of vehicle access, shade, toilets and a community yarn circle
- North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services: Establish a community centre in the Mount Isa suburb of Pioneer, providing centralised access to government and non-government support services for the community
- Mount Isa Campdraft Association: Build a new ablution block on the Mount Isa Campdraft ground
Boosting remote Queensland regions
A raft of projects to advance clean energy transitions to a decarbonised and diversified economy in Queensland’s remote regions with back from the Remote Area Boards (RAB) program.
This focus of this round of funding are projects that will facilitate industry diversification, especially industries identified in the Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy.
Queensland has five RABs, with each region having access to $100k a year for two years of approved projects.
The success projects in this round are:
- South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (SWQROC): $200k to engage All Energy to assist the SWQROC to develop an energy cost reduction, renewables and carbon zero strategy
- Central West Remote Area Planning and Development Board: $200k to identify and quantify the regional opportunities to adapt to a diversified economy for economic growth and job creation
- Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone: $200k to explore the region’s current emissions trajectory to 2050, and the interventions that can support an accelerated reduction in emissions to achieve net zero
- Gulf Savannah Development: $200k to develop a business case for the sustainable development of the Port of Karumba
- Torres and Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance: $200k to investigate and progress decarbonisation of Cape York Peninsula and improve the sustainability of Cape York Communities through alternative energy, farming enterprises and food security
Queensland State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace says the RAB funding is bridging the resourcing gap by creating jobs in remote communities and growing regional investment.
“We value the important work being by the RABs to drive economic growth and improve life in Queensland’s most remote communities,” she said.
“This funding means remote regions can get on with the job of rolling out great initiatives that support a sustainable and future-proofed Queensland.”