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A NORTH West development group is gearing up to find ways to boost the supply chain between Mount Isa and Townsville.
Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Development Zone president David Glasson said the landscape had changed since the group’s last annual meeting in Townsville last December.
MITEZ members have started the year with a change of government in Queensland and a number of burning issues affecting the region are now likely to be considered in a different light.
Mr Glasson said the organisation never indicated its support or otherwise for the sale or lease of assets such as the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line and the Port of Townsville as we agreed that would require a mandate from the people before it could proceed.
“Previously, our 50-year freight study had made specific recommendations towards improving the overall efficiency of the network such as an independent co-ordinator to monitor the operations and customer needs within the supply chain including the rail and port, however, those recommendations were set aside once these assets were tied up in a proposed sale,” Mr Glasson said.
Other major issues MITEZ had in the firing line for the region included increasing water allocations on the Flinders River, incentives for exploration and junior miners, uranium mining and major infrastructure items such as the Hann Highway.
The issues will be discussed by MITEZ members including state member for Mount Isa Rob Katter at a meeting in Hughenden on February 27.
With a new Labor government, issues such as water allocations and mining will need strong plans from key leaders and development group such as MITEZ.
Uranium mining is likely to once again be slapped with a ban by Labor after the previous LNP government opened it up for development.
But uranium prices still remain too low for major companies to make a decision to start production. The lower prices could open the door for smaller uranium miners to turn a profit.