Projects to aid Greater Whitsunday ‘transformation’

A $10 million boost to support hydrogen industry development at Abbot Point, outside Bowen, is among eight initiatives the Queensland Government has announced to kickstart the Greater Whitsunday Regional Transformation Strategy. The strategy identifies key economic strengths and industry priorities based on the region’s unique geography, resources and workforce skills. The Queensland Government has detailed eight projects it is backing with a total of $16.6 million from the Regional Economic Futures Fund as part of the drive. This includes the $10 million investment in infrastructure to support hydrogen growth in the Abbot Point State Development Area (SDA) and a $4 million investment in the Mackay State Development Area's proposed Future Foods BioHub. Related: State sets up Mackay base for bio-industries "We’ve worked closely with local governments, industry and the wider community to co-design and develop a regional transformation strategy for Greater Whitsunday, which is one of four priority regions," State Development and Infrastructure Minister Grace Grace said. "It outlines how the region can harness its diverse agriculture and aquaculture industry, growing advanced manufacturing base, emerging biofutures industry, and world-class tourism to create jobs and drive investment in industries that will thrive in a decarbonised world. Opportunities include strengthening the Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) and advanced manufacturing sectors, agribusiness transformation, boosting the region’s renewable energy capability and supporting the tourism industry to meet net zero by 2050 goals. “The Greater Whitsunday region has a strong, vibrant future and the Queensland Government is committed to supporting its transformation into a world-class, low-carbon economy.” Newly approved projects under the $200 million Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF): Project nameProponentDescriptionREFF fundingAdditional infrastructure at the Abbot Point State Development Area (SDA)Queensland GovernmentEstablish additional infrastructure at the Abbot Point SDA to support global interest and investment in establishing large-scale production facilities for the export of hydrogen and accelerate hydrogen industry development$10,000,000Mackay State Development Area - Future Foods Precinct infrastructure planning and catalyse developmentQueensland GovernmentPrepare a detailed infrastructure plan and catalyse development in the Mackay State Development Area$4,000,000Isaac Country University CentresIsaac Regional CouncilSupport the establishment of a country university hub in the Isaac Shire$2,000,000Tourism industry supportQueensland GovernmentSupport the tourism industry with environmental, social, and governance training and related initiatives$250,000Local government decarbonisation strategiesQueensland GovernmentProvide targeted support to councils to undertake a decarbonisation review and prepare a carbon zero strategy for council operations$100,000Biomass and waste for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) feedstock studyQueensland GovernmentUndertake a biomass and waste for SAF feedstock study$125,000Regional social licence toolkitQueensland GovernmentIn partnership with the LGAQ, develop a ‘Regional Social Licence Toolkit’ to assist councils and communities to implement priorities with renewable energy proponents$100,000Empowering 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 You may also like: https://industryqld.com.au/ihi-corporation-joins-hynq-clean-energy-project/

Projects to aid Greater Whitsunday ‘transformation’

Industry Queensland

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