QRC signs MoU with Mackay, Isaac, Whitsundays councils to further strengthen resources jobs

THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors (GWCoMs) have signed an agreement to ensure a greater commitment to jobs and investments into the region’s economy.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would bring three mayors under one partnership with the resources sector to ensure the Mackay region would receive its fair share of the sector’s economic benefits.

“This MoU with the mayors of Mackay, Isaac and the Whitsundays regional councils recognises that the Mackay region will continue to be one of the most important contributors to the resources sector. We want to maximise our partnerships with regional Queensland to ensure they benefit from the wealth they generate through primary industries such as mining," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Our sector contributes $9.3 billion to the region and supports more than 56,000 full time jobs both directly in resources and in associated industries. This partnership will encourage more investment and a shared commitment to support regional economies,” he said.

“The QRC works openly and constructively with the Cr Anne Baker (Isaac Regional Council Mayor, and Chair of GWCoM’s), Cr Andrew Willcox (Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council), and Cr Greg Williamson (Mayor of Mackay Regional Council) and this MoU will further enhance and progress these working relationships.

“Over the last 12 months the sector has spent $3.4 billion with 1,810 local businesses and 261 community organisations who are represented by these three mayors. Our sector has a resolute commitment to working with local communities and delivering the benefits from resources to all Queenslanders.”

The GWCoM’s and the QRC agree to the following principles over the next four years:

• promote the sustainable development of the Greater Whitsunday region’s mineral and energy reserves for growth in jobs, exports and investment;
• Educate the wider population on the different types of coal and their associated use and the economic value the coal sector generates at local, state and national level. Support the industry’s sustainable growth through planning infrastructure and social needs recognising the impact on local regional communities ie maximising benefits
• encourage community and industry to develop in such a manner that each supports the sustainable growth of the other through planning, infrastructure and social needs;
• support local communities within the Greater Whitsunday region;
• collaborate to ensure that royalties earnt from the Greater Whitsunday region are reinvested within the region in support of both the industry and the local communities;
• work together as needed for a successful outcome for any individual items that may be in dispute between individual members and groups within the region

Queensland’s resources sector invested $62.9 billion into the State’s economy in 2017-18 while supporting the full time jobs of 316,267 men and women. All of the industry’s economic contributions were achieved while operating within a strict environmental management framework and using only 0.1 per cent of Queensland’s land mass.

www.qrc.org.au

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