The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s approval of an industry proposal to support coal, metal and petroleum exploration as part of the State’s COVID-19 recovery.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the package recognised the resources sector was critical to Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“As an essential industry, we presented a package of measures to support the work on new discoveries of coal, metals including critical minerals and gas,” he said.
“This package is the first down payment from the Palaszczuk Government on the resources sector’s pivotal role in Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery.”
The package includes:
- a 12-month waiver of rent on exploration land due between 1 April and 1 September
- a freeze on fees and charges until 1 July 2021
- releasing almost 7000 square kilometres of land for gas and mineral exploration later this month
- bringing forward $2.8 million in grant funds for innovative exploration in the North West Minerals Province.
“We will continue to work with the Government to ensure the resources sector has the policy and financial support so it can contribute to Queensland’s recovery. Now more than ever Queensland needs a strong resource sector to be investing, employing and exporting on behalf of every Queenslander,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“This package is a good start.”
“I want to thank Minister Anthony Lynham and his Department for working through the detail of the package with QRC and the Queensland Exploration Council as well as our industry partners AMEC and APPEA.”
Mr Macfarlane said the package had bipartisan support through Shadow Minister Dale Last.
