- The $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund backs another 21 projects totalling nearly $50 million.
- Projects identified as priorities by regional communities across North West Queensland; Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett; Central Queensland; and the Greater Whitsunday region.
- New and emerging industries with a focus on renewables and decarbonisation will attract key investment.
The Miles Government is further backing a new wave of economic development and jobs in regional Queensland.
Supported by the Regional Transformation Strategies and the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF), 21 additional jobs-generating projects based across four regional areas have been announced today, including:
- $3.5 million for four projects in North West Queensland;
- $27.2 million for 10 projects in the Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett region;
- $15.8 million for four projects in Central Queensland; and
- $2.85 million for three projects in the Greater Whitsunday region.
That takes it to 80 future-shaping projects across the four regional areas best positioned to seize opportunities presented by decarbonisation.
These regions are home to traditional, primary industries that today are a significant source of economic activity and jobs.
They also have unique opportunities to support newer industries like critical minerals, renewable energy, hydrogen and biofuels, which will thrive in a decarbonised world.
As stated by Minister for State Development and Infrastructure Grace Grace:
“These regions have a strong, vibrant future and the Miles Government is committed to supporting their transformation into world-class, low-carbon economies.
“We’re determined to harness the benefits of new and emerging industries in our regions for the benefit of the entire State.
“We are investing in our regions to create sustainable jobs and stronger, more diverse economies based on locally identified strengths and priorities.
“We will continue to partner with local government, industry and the wider community in the regions to unlock the benefits of the decarbonising economy.”
Newly approved projects under the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF)
Project name | Proponent | Description | REFF funding |
North West Queensland | |||
LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use | EnviroMETS | Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges. | $255,000 |
North West Minerals Province Audit of Mines Industrial assets | MITEZ | Undertake an audit of mines in care and maintenance, near to end of life and abandoned to identify existing assets that can be used to support new industries and/or for common use. | $200,000 |
Gulf Savannah Development Farm Stay manual review | Gulf of Savannah Development | Update the Gulf Savannah Development Farm Stay Manual and promote activities to increase agritourism outback experiences via regional workshops and forums. | $50,000 |
Production of Battery Grade Ferrous Chloride | ESI Asia Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd | Conduct of a Concept Study that will look at the potential of constructing a commercial Chlor-Alkali chemical plant (CACP) that would produce hydrochloric acid and other reagents used for refining, processing, and the manufacture of critical minerals; and 2. Upgrade of the Battery Grade Ferrous Chloride (BGFC) plant in Townsville (the BGFC Plant) including the production and laboratory facilities to create the most advanced facility in Northern Queensland to support chemical production required for long duration energy storage using iron flow battery technology. | $3,000,000 |
Darling Downs, South West and South Burnett | |||
Biotech Research and Toll Manufacturing Facility | FK Gardener & Sons Pty Ltd | Development of a business case and economic impact assessment to quantify the benefits of establishing a domestic Biotech Research and Toll Manufacturing Facility. | $500,000 |
Mullul Warril: Improving employment and economic outcomes, through building the capacity and capability of First Nations to participate in future job prospects, management of land and environmental projects | UniSQ | Regional pilot program that develops a scoping study focused around a governance structure to promote knowledge sharing, First Nations business development, bush foods production and the implementation of Caring for Country principles. | $220,000 |
QCN Dark Fibre (Smart Country Enabler) | South Burnett Regional Council | Provide high speed connectivity to enhance economic, social and environmental liveability in the South Burnett. | $6,800,000 |
Kingaroy Water for Growth | South Burnett Regional Council | Increase water security for urban use and provide water security for agricultural irrigation through the construction of a new 150ML storage. | $7,084,590 |
Parkside Biofuel Briquette and Pellet Project | Parkside | The Biofuel Briquette and Pellet Project is a venture in Wondai, QLD, is designed to convert sawmill and forest residue into renewable biofuel. | $3,018,808 |
High tech conversion of nut waste to high value consumer and industrial products. | Plenty Foods | The project is constructing and outfitting a new Industry 4.0 processing facility to produce enhanced protein and high palmitoleic oil. | $2,781,192 |
Next Economy Opportunities and Challenges for South West Queensland | South West Regional Organisation of Councils (SWROC) | Support South-West councils develop a long-term action plan that supports their unique transition to a decarbonised economy through diversification of mature South West industries such as oil and gas. | $225,000 |
CO2 Generation from Boiler Flue Exhaust | Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd | Capturing and re-purposing of CO2 gas produced on-site at Swickers Kingaroy site will result in a reduction in annual CO2 emissions of 1,000 tonnes per annum. Design, procurement, and installation of required plant and equipment to enable the processing of the flue gas to extract, scrub, compress and store CO2 for use in the plant. | $1,820,000 |
Hub for sustainable products – Re-manufacture agricultural and industry waste to produce products that are currently not produced in Queensland | Vinidex Pty Limited | Establish a new high-density polyethylene (HDPE) recycling plant to recycle pipe materials, along with post-consumer commercial milk and/or other bottles. This project will produce Queensland’s first recycled poly irrigation pipe. | $1,750,000 |
Keratin Production from Pig Hair | Swickers Kingaroy Bacon Factory Pty Ltd | The project will design, procure, install and commission a processing line utilising biocatalyst technology to produce concentrated liquid keratin from hair and hooves, reducing the need for landfill and generating a new export market. | $3,000,000 |
Central Queensland | |||
LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use | EnviroMETS | Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges. | $255,000 |
Establishing a First Nations Business Hub | First Nations Chamber of Commerce and Industry | Support the establishment of a First Nations Business Hub in Gladstone that supports indigenous business participation in renewable project across Central Queensland region. | $1,400,000 |
Circularising fertiliser production in CQ enabling the bioeconomy | Mort & Co Ltd | The project will support the development of a fertiliser manufacturing facility to be built alongside the feedlot to utilise waste in a circular fashion to create fertiliser and improve environmental outcomes of the feedlot and agricultural growers in the region and the Great Barrier Reef. | $12,750,000 |
Workforce planning and Biloela Workforce Accommodation | Office of the Coordinator-General | The project will provide funding to undertake a scoping study, commercial analysis, and an implementation plan to support the development of the Biloela Workforce Accommodation Village. | $1,400,000 |
Greater Whitsunday | |||
LHP 2: Develop Business Case Solutions to Post-mining Land Use | EnviroMETS | Develop assessment tools to help determine the best economic, environmental and social options for closed and end of life mines. The model will consider mine types, geography and current use and will identify innovative solutions to potential challenges. | $255,000 |
Bowen Food Futures Precinct | Bowen Gumlu Growers Association | Development of a business case to establish a multi-commodity processing facility and pilot plant to maximise feedstock potential in the region. | $2,100,000 |
Renewable Energy as a post-mining land use (PMLU) in the Bowen Basin | Queensland Resources Council | Determine the viability and connection costs of using post mining land for potential renewable energy projects across the Bowen Basin. | $500,000 |
