Kickstart for region’s economic diversification

Critical minerals and renewable energy training hubs for Mount Isa are among the projects funded for North-West Queensland under a $22.05 million allocation from the Regional Economic Futures Fund. The Queensland Government announced the funding to support implementation of the North West Queensland Regional Transformation Strategy. It includes more than $3.4 million for a Cloncurry business incubator and $7.4 million for TAFE to deliver renewable energy and critical minerals training. Cloncurry Mayor and stakeholder advisory committee member Greg Campbell (pictured above) said the release of the North West Queensland Regional Transformation Strategy was another step in the right direction to support continued economic growth and prosperity for local communities. "Our council has already made significant strides in diversifying the local economy, laying a strong foundation for future developments," he said. "The Cloncurry Business Incubator supports the establishment of an industrial precinct to attract business that will support the growth of the critical minerals industry. "The strategy highlights key priorities for the North West that will support further economic growth and create greater business opportunities but also to enhance the quality of life for our residents by opening up new local job opportunities in Cloncurry and across the North West." Newly approved projects under the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF) Project nameProponentDescriptionREFF fundingCloncurry Business IncubatorCloncurry Shire CouncilSupport the establishment of an industrial precinct that will attract ancillary business to support industry diversification$3,444,033Critical Minerals Training Hub in Mount IsaQueensland GovernmentEstablish a Critical Minerals Training Hub in Mount Isa with training materials, industry information and qualified trainers on the growing critical minerals sector$3,200,000Mount Isa Industrial Land Supply – Kalkadoon Industrial EstateEconomic Development QueenslandDevelop additional industrial land opportunities in Mount Isa to support new projects and investment opportunities $3,000,000Mobile Renewable Energy Training FacilitiesQueensland GovernmentSupport regional training and delivery through Queensland’s first ‘Renewable Energy Training Truck’ with hydrogen, solar, wind and hydro training equipment and materials$2,250,000North West Minerals Province (NWMP) Tourism InfrastructureQueensland GovernmentSupport the 10 NWMP councils to develop catalytic tourism projects focusing on infrastructure that will promote regional investment and increase local supply chains and workforces$2,000,000North West Queensland Common User Grain FacilityQueensland GovernmentDevelop a Common User North West Queensland Grain Storage facility to expand regional agriculture$2,000,000Renewable Energy Training HubsQueensland GovernmentEstablish specialist Renewable Energy Training Hubs in Mount Isa with the specialist equipment needed to deliver specific training and education in support of Queensland’s growing renewable energy industry$1,200,000Growing First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals in North West QueenslandQueensland GovernmentDevelopment of a co-designed investment plan that includes economic, market and climatic mapping to support the growth of First Nations agriculture, bushfoods and botanicals in North West Queensland, and determine the best productions systems, crops and species$750,000North West Queensland agribusiness innovation diversificationQueensland GovernmentSupport agribusiness innovation and diversification in the North West through a new grants program with a focus on technology-enabled diversification pathways for established agribusinesses$750,000Renewable energy training resources and delivery of training (pilot)Queensland GovernmentDevelop and deliver renewable energy training and stakeholder engagement in Mount Isa and Cloncurry$750,000North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline – waste management studyQueensland GovernmentComplete a study to identify volumes of waste and opportunities to reduce or eliminate waste from the construction and maintenance of renewable energy projects$650,000Marketing campaign showcasing North West QueenslandQueensland GovernmentDevelop and implement two targeted marketing campaigns promoting the North West Queensland region as a place to visit$500,000Drone muster simulatorQueensland GovernmentDevelop a drone mustering simulator that amalgamates traditional mustering methods with digital technologies$480,000Etheridge Shire Agricultural and Irrigation PrecinctQueensland GovernmentDevelop an investment prospectus for the Etheridge Agricultural Precinct$400,000Local government decarbonisation strategiesQueensland GovernmentProvide targeted support to councils to undertake a decarbonisation review and prepare a carbon zero strategy for council operations$214,967North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline – impact assessmentQueensland GovernmentDevelop a North West Queensland Renewables Project Pipeline to identify the impacts on transport-related infrastructure and supply chains that will help to manage cumulative and regional impacts$150,000Outback Mount Isa Reptile and Wildlife ParkMount Isa City CouncilPrepare a business case and detailed design for an outback wildlife exhibit at the Outback at Isa visitor centre in Mount Isa$150,000Potential biofuels production using agricultural by-productsQueensland GovernmentUndertake a biomass and waste for Sustainable Aviation Fuel feedstock study$125,000Empowering Indigenous businessesQueensland GovernmentDevelop and deliver industry capability development materials to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses wanting to enter renewable energy industry supply chains$40,000

Kickstart for region’s economic diversification

Industry Queensland

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