The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the release of the draft Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan (QRIDP), which was unveiled at the QRC annual lunch in Brisbane today.
QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the draft plan was the result of 12 months of industry and community consultation, after the QRC secured an election commitment from the Government to develop a long-term blueprint for the sector.
“The resources sector is one of Queensland’s driving forces. We have seen that again today with the release of QRC’s latest economic contribution data which showed the resources sector adds $84.3 billion to the state’s economy and supports more than 422,500 jobs,” Mr Macfarlane said.
“We believe a long-term plan for the sector will help ensure all Queenslanders continue to benefit from the state’s world-class commodities and world-leading practices for decades to come.
“Most importantly, we should signal to the world and to both Australian and international investors that Queensland’s resources sector has a strong future.
“The draft QRIDP is mapped out in six key areas and includes a range of recommendations. We welcome the central focus on ways to grow and diversify the resources sector and to ensure it has the skilled workers to meet demand.
“The Queensland resources industry has significant opportunities to continue investment and jobs in our traditional commodities, including coal, gas and metals, as well as a chance to seize added opportunities in areas such as the critical economy minerals that will support the technology for a low emissions economy, and in emerging technologies such as hydrogen and CCS.
“We welcome the State Government’s commitment to a common user critical minerals demonstration plant in Townsville.
“Queensland’s resources sector has the building blocks to lead the low emissions economy. We must focus on ways to harness that potential and add to the breadth and depth of the sector.
“QRC looks forward to reviewing the recommendations of the draft QRIDP in detail and continuing consultation with the Queensland Government and Queensland communities to ensure the long-term blueprint puts the right framework in place to maximise investment and jobs.”
