Strengthened supply chain systems and economic growth are the focus of a Queensland first top level forum to be held today as part of the Newman Government’s 30-year ResourcesQ vision.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said more than 60 supply chain industry leaders from across Queensland would attend the forum to provide strategic advice as part of the initiative.
“The future of Queensland’s resources sector needs to be supported by a strong and responsive government with a solid plan,” Mr Cripps said.
“The Newman Government understands a productive and efficient resources industry does not rely solely on resource companies, but businesses right across the sector, from the pit to the port, from the drill hole to the transmission line, from the environmental application to the building of a rail network.
“We promised at the election to grow resources as one of our four economic pillars and this forum today will ensure a whole-of-supply-chain approach to help drive the sector forward.
“This is the first time a state-level strategic visioning and action plan process has been undertaken for the resources sector in Queensland.
“The former government failed to plan for the future, so the ResourcesQ initiative will lay the foundations to grow wealth and create jobs across the state, particularly in regional Queensland.
“Queensland’s resources sector is worth $37.9 billion, contributes one in every four dollars to the state economy and supports one in five jobs, including across the resources industry supply chains.
“The flow-on impacts from the resources sector to other industries – generated through both supply chain purchases and household consumption – is almost equal to the sector at $37.8 billion.”
Mr Cripps said it was important that everyone in the resources sector had a voice in setting the strategic direction for the next 30 years.
“I am committed to seeing Queensland’s resources industry continue as a world leader, so it’s imperative we have broad consultation across the sector and ensure industry has the opportunity to voice its opinion,” he said.
“Today’s supply chain workshop follows an industry leader’s forum held in February and is the second in a series of seven workshops, with the next five events to be held in the key resource regions of Cairns, Mount Isa, Gladstone, Roma and Emerald from April.
“These regional workshops will be crucial to gathering valuable on-the-ground attitudes from businesses and communities in key resource regions.”
More information about the ResourcesQ initiative is available at: www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/resourcesq
