THE NUMBER of Queensland resources company CEOs investing in low emission technology (LET) research and development has almost doubled over the past two years.

The Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) latest State of the Sector report shows more than 70 percent of CEOs are now investing in LET research compared to 40 percent in 2019.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the level of industry investment in new technologies would continue to rise rapidly as resources companies strive to reduce emissions. 

The QRC’s March 2021 quarterly report showed 65 percent of member company CEOs expect to undertake investments to reduce emissions from their own operations over the next 12 months. Nearly a quarter (22 percent) are already using renewable energy to power parts of their operations. 

“Queensland resources companies are working hard to lower emissions and reduce costs by improving energy efficiency, adopting renewable energy and investing in co-generation or the latest low-emission research,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Our goal is to work towards a sustainable resources sector that produces a mix of traditional and renewable energy, along with the raw materials to achieve that, to meet growing world demand for Queensland commodities. 

“If the industry gets this right, and we have the right policy settings in place to support sustainable growth, Queensland will benefit from the new investment, jobs and prosperity that come from our sector for generations to come.” 

Based on Queensland Treasury’s most recent forward estimates, traditional resource exports of coal, LNG and metals will continue to be major contributors to the state economy and employment. 

Coal export volumes are predicted to rise by 23 percent out to 2024-25 and LNG and metals exports are expected to remain stable for the same period. 

Treasury figures also anticipate a broadening of the resources sector due to increasing demand for Queensland’s critical minerals and rare earths used in the production of emerging technologies.   

In more good news for the state’s resources sector, a recent International Energy Agency report said reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement would mean a quadrupling of mineral demand for clean energy technologies by 2040.    

An even faster transition, to hit net-zero globally by 2050, would require a six-fold rise in demand for minerals by 2040, largely driven by the increasing use of electrification, electric vehicles and battery storage. 

Mr Macfarlane said the resources industry is already well down the path of electrification, a critical first step in reducing the emission footprint of operations.     

“Many of our company’s compressor stations, conveyor belts, draglines, grinding mills and reverse osmosis plants are already electrified,” he said. 

“Our CEOs are telling us they’re considering everything from green power contracts to battery-operated underground vehicles as a way to reduce their carbon footprint.” 

The latest State of the Sector report also confirmed the number one concern for Queensland CEOs – for the seventh consecutive quarter – is the global economy. 

This is followed by concerns about the industry’s social licence to operate, which sits in equal second place with concerns about uncertain or poor government regulation. 

“Social licence to operate has moved from fourth to second place in this latest report, which shows CEOs know they need to meet community expectations around a project’s environmental impact and social benefits,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“Likewise, the importance of having the right policy settings in place to attract global investors and stimulate growth is an absolute priority for our industry. 

“That’s why the QRC is working so closely with the State Government on rolling out a game-changing Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan. 

“This plan has the potential to set Queensland up for sustainable growth across the resources sector for decades, and to become a reliable, trusted supplier of high-quality energy and materials to the world."

www.qrc.org.au

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LEADING WEALTH manager Atlas Advisors Australia has taken a joint stake in key domestic tourism asset, Hunter Valley Zoo at Nulkaba, NSW.

Atlas Advisors Australia is the sole co-investor in ASX-listed Elanor Investors Group’s Elanor Wildlife Park Fund which purchased the property, bringing the total value of the fund to $60 million.

Atlas Advisors Australia is also joint shareholder in Elanor Wildlife Park Fund’s two other iconic wildlife park assets, Featherdale Wildlife Park, in Western Sydney and Mogo Zoo at Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.

Atlas Advisors Australia executive chairman, Guy Hedley said Atlas Advisors Australia Hunter Valley Zoo was a prime tourism and real estate asset that would thrive in the long-term.

Nature-based and eco-tourism is a rapidly growing sub-sector of the tourism industry in Australia and around the world, he said. Hunter Valley Zoo boasts an amazing diversity of native and exotic wildlife including koalas, kangaroos, lions, giraffes, meerkats, monkeys and reptiles.

“Wildlife parks and zoos have remained resilient and profitable despite COVID-19 posing the greatest challenges the Australian tourism sector has ever faced,” Mr Hedley said.

“Individuals and families are keen for outdoor adventures that connect them with nature and our unique environment while also providing life-long educational experiences.”

Atlas Advisors Australia would continue to leverage its valuable relationship with property experts Elanor Investors Group to expand its tourism and tourist-property assets.

“We are looking forward to taking on more opportunities in this thriving tourism subsector while also expanding our asset portfolio to include nature retreats, luxury resorts and high-quality hotels,” Mr Hedley said.

Mr Hedley said it was also notwithstanding that Australia’s borders would remain closed until mid-2022.

About Atlas Advisors Australia

Atlas Advisors Australia is a leading funds manager, operating between China and Australia. With operations in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia and Hong Kong, Atlas is able to support investors in all China and Australia locations.

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THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson has welcomed the additional support to small businesses impacted by protracted lockdowns, announced by the Australian Government.

From week four of the lockdown, small and family businesses that have suffered a 30 percent decline in turnover, will receive 40 percent of their payroll payments (between $1500 and $10,000 per week) so long as staffing levels are maintained.

Sole traders who have experienced a 30 prcent fall in revenue will receive $1,000 per week.

The payments are co-funded by the Federal and NSW Governments and will be administered by Services NSW.

“Extended lockdowns and COVID restrictions have been devastating for many Australian small and family businesses,” Mr Billson said.

“This latest Commonwealth commitment is in line with our calls for a clear national framework that identifies what support will be available as lockdowns and restrictions are introduced.

“Small and family businesses that have an understanding of what government support can be counted on when public health measures come into effect, are given a greater opportunity to plan and navigate their business through the difficult period.

“Of course the small business community needs support from the private sector as well and the banks have led with the re-activation of measures to help small businesses with loan repayments," Mr Billson said.

“It is critical that other service providers and suppliers, such as landlords and utility companies, follow suit.

“Unfortunately there has been a worrying deterioration in payment times over recent months. Now is not the time to delay paying small business supplier invoices when cash flow is essential to their survival and recovery.

“There is no doubt that lockdowns and trading restrictions put small and family businesses under enormous pressure.

“It is vital small business owners know that help is available if they need it. We welcome the Australian Government’s commitment to provide an additional $17 million in funding to crucial mental health support services," he said.

“I encourage those in small and family businesses who are struggling to cope, to reach out by visiting our My Business Health web portal or registering for Beyond Blue’s New Access for Small Business Owners program.”

www.asbfeo.gov.au

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A NEW parliamentary committee has been appointed to investigate how to reduce trauma and deaths on Australian roads.

The Joint Select Committee on Road Safety will build on the work of the previous committee and will investigate and identify opportunities to improve road safety programs and policy; embed road trauma prevention across agencies; and reduce road trauma in the workplace.

Committee Chair, Pat Conaghan MP, said over 1000 people die on our roads every year while tens of thousands are hospitalised.

"This inquiry will focus on the practical and immediate steps that can be taken to reduce trauma and deaths on our roads," Mr Conaghan said.

"The committee will be focusing on what can be done in the short to medium term to achieve real and tangible results. We need to focus on action and cooperation in the prevention of further trauma and deaths on our road networks. We will also focus attention on ensuring the Federal Government’s 2021-22 Budget commitment of $3 billion over three years to the Road Safety Program continues to be effective."

For many Australians, particularly those living in rural and regional Australia, our roads are an essential and unavoidable means of travel. Rural and regional Australians are disproportionately impacted by road trauma, with two‑thirds of deaths on Australian roads in 2019 occurring in regional or remote areas.

Vehicles and our roads are also a workplace for many Australians. More than half of all worker fatalities in Australia are related to vehicles.

"We always have to remember that these are people not just statistics. They are mums and dads picking the kids up from school; truck drivers keeping our supermarkets stocked; cyclists and pedestrians heading to work; farmers driving into town to re-supply; and gig‑economy delivery workers," Mr Conaghan said.

He said it was important that Australia explored options to meet its road safety targets.

"We must all work together towards zero deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads by 2050. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our roads," Mr Conaghan said.

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