- Townsville’s Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct declared a prescribed project
- Set to be Northern Australia’s first environmentally sustainable industrial hub, with the potential to support 15,000-plus good jobs
- $74m committed to deliver enabling infrastructure, including road and rail connections
- Six companies already signed on to be part of the precinct including renewable hydrogen and advanced battery manufacturing
The Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct has been declared a prescribed project, paving the way for a major green manufacturing hub and a new era of growth for North Queensland.
The declaration by Deputy Premier Steven Miles will fast track approvals to deliver the enabling infrastructure required for the 2,500 hectare precinct taking shape 40km south of the Townsville CBD.
As a prescribed project, the Coordinator-General will work with the Townsville City Council to provide further coordination and structure an approach to de-risk infrastructure planning and accelerate investment readiness of the precinct.
Townsville City Council plans to develop the estate over the next 20 years to transform it into an environmentally sustainable, advanced manufacturing, processing and technology hub.
The declaration will provide Council with additional State Government support to deliver this significant project.
The enabling infrastructure works required to develop the precinct include the development of rail and road connections, delivery of water to the precinct and the development of internal road networks to support future project proponents.
The precinct will deliver a local jobs boom – about 5,000 during construction and an estimated 1,600 direct and 9,100 indirect jobs once projects located there are up and running.
It will be a centre for growth industries such as renewable hydrogen and advanced battery manufacturing, with six companies already signed on to operate at the site.
This includes Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM), which has chosen the Lansdown precinct as the future home of its proposed $2.1 billion Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub project.
QPM plans to process 1.5 million tonnes of ore a year to produce critical materials for use in new-technology batteries.
The Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government in partnership with Townsville City Council.
It was flagged as the top project priority arising from the Townsville City Deal, which has the commitment of all levels of government to drive new industries and export growth for the city.
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have committed $74 million to date to build the enabling infrastructure needed to get the precinct off the ground.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
“Today’s declaration is good news for North Queensland jobs now, and for decades to come, as we deliver our landmark Energy and Jobs.
“The Lansdown precinct will be a state-of-the-art industrial hub and generate over 15,000 direct and indirect jobs from construction through to operation.
“Better yet, it will be a key link in the renewable hydrogen chain, while also supporting the growing critical minerals industry here in the North.
“My Government is proud to be backing this Northern Australian first as we charge towards a clean energy future.”
Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:
“Regional Queensland is the centre of our $62 billion Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
“The Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct is a great example of our plan in action and of our progress towards Queensland’s future as a renewable energy superpower.
“Townsville is poised to become a leader in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy – and this precinct is the game-changer to make it happen.
“With existing infrastructure at Port of Townsville, Lansdown is ideally located for local suppliers to become part of the fast-growing global supply chain in emerging industries.
“I want to thank Mayor Jenny Hill and Townsville City Council for working with our government to get this project accelerated.”
Quotes attributable to Mayor Jenny Hill:
“The classification of Lansdown by the Queensland Government as a Prescribed Project is welcome. It provides coordination between government departments, Council and successful industry proponents that is vital in securing long term employment and economic security for the people of Townsville and the north.”
“Lansdown positions Townsville for future industries that take sustainable and environmental practices seriously.”
“We continue to have industries approach us for consideration as part of the Lansdown EOI process.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart:
“Lansdown is at the heart of our plans to ensure people in North Queensland reap the massive economic and employment benefits from our investment in clean and green energy.
“With easy access to the Port of Townsville, Lansdown can connect suppliers and markets in Asia and the Pacific.
“A significant portion of the precinct has already been committed to including Queensland Pacific Metals’ hub that will support the growing electric vehicle industry.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
“Lansdown will unlock a wealth of economic opportunities for the region, generating thousands of good jobs for regional Queenslanders for decades to come.
“Declaring it as a prescribed project will allow for the fast tracking of approvals, ensuring this project is delivered as quickly as possible.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:
“Lansdown will herald a new industrial age for North Queensland and help put the Sunshine State on the map as a global renewable energy hub.
“It will mean jobs and stable employment in new and existing manufacturing industries for Townsville workers.”
