Canberra answers QRC calls to hit the gas for COVID recovery

THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed today’s announcement by the Morrison Government of a multi-pronged plan to develop more Queensland gas for market as part of a COVID-19 recovery.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the QRC’s Resources Industry Recovery Agenda, published in June, identified more gas pipeline infrastructure as a key response to the COVID-19 recovery.

“As the peak representative for coal, mineral and gas producers, explorers and developers, QRC has put forward an ambitious plan for a resources-supported recovery, and specifically for pipeline investment," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Gas pipelines can help to redress the tyranny of distance by connecting gas fields to domestic customers.

“A new trunk line to aggregate gas collection will help increase the supply of gas across a whole province and lower the cost of delivering gas to customers.”

In response to the QRC economic recovery plan, the Queensland Government announced a $5 million commitment – to be matched by the Australian Government – for a feasibility study into a gas pipeline to open up the Bowen Basin.

“Queensland desperately needs the 372,000 jobs supported by the resources sector more than ever,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Our plan is to not only keep those jobs but to create new ones, so it’s fitting this commitment on gas – including funding to unlock the North Bowen and Galilee basins – comes under the government’s JobMaker program. 

“The QRC also welcomes the funding boost for CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance.”

www.qrc.org.au

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