That is the view of Mount Isa Mayor Tony McGrady, who believes the minerals province should be set up as a unique zone to mine uranium – a view Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche with.

But that is only if the Labor government brings back the uranium ban lifted by the Newman government last year. 

Cr McGrady said excluding the province from Queensland rules would allow production at two local uranium mines. 

These would be Westmoreland, next to the Northern Territory border and 400 kilometres in the Carpentaria Gulf, and Summit Resources’ Valhalla, 40 kilometres north-west of Mount Isa.  

“I don’t think it’s too much to ask at least two mines in the province could be treated differently to the rest of the state,” the former state mines minister said. 

Consideration needed to be given to jobs in the area, considering Century Mine’s closure this year would increase unemployment in the Carpentaria Gulf communities. 

There were few opportunities for meaningful employment, especially for Indigenous people. 

Banning uranium would also hinder exploration in the region.

“It will mean quite clearly that exploration is reduced,’’ he said. “Tomorrow’s mines will have a big question mark alongside them.” 

Cr McGrady’s chief hope was the Queensland government would delay its decision until the findings of the South Australian Nuclear Royal Commission were released. 

The commission would reveal substantiated evidence that looked beyond political “slogans and cliches”, he said.  

Cr McGrady said he did not criticise the state government returning the ban, because it had made its position clear before the state election. 

Australian Conservation Foundation nuclear-free campaigner Dave Sweeney – who spoke at an anti-uranium meeting in Mount Isa last May – said he believed the Mount Isa mayor was desperate, to suggest a delay in policy. 

The foundation did not believe South Australia’s findings had a bearing on Queensland policy. 

“It’s understandable but unacceptable to keep the door open. The door’s been shut.’’

Mr Sweeney did not agree the Carpentaria Mount Isa Minerals Province should be an exception to the ban.

“The last time I looked, Mount Isa and North West Queensland is a part of Queensland.”