“For the Government to issue these MDLs is the first step before a mining lease is granted and then development work will start,” he said.

“That’s when we will see the hundreds of new jobs in our area leading on to the permanent jobs once the mines start production.”

A long-time advocate for uranium mining, Cr McGrady said it was reward for the Queensland government’s decision to overturn the ban on mining the substance.

“We can all have renewed confidence in the future of our area in the knowledge that we are witnessing the birth of this new industry almost on our doorstep,” he said. 

“This is great news for our local economy, for jobs in our area and for our future.

“We should mark this date down as a red letter day when our area started the big fight back.”