DEPUTY Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said a wide range of expertise was dedicated to advancing the region after he announced the North Queensland Resources Supply Chain Steering Committee.
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To be chaired by Xstrata Copper's Steve De Kruijff, the 11-member committee included one North Queensland mayor, the chair of the Mayors' Group, Richmond Mayor John Wharton, and included MITEZ executive officer Glen Graham.
Mr Seeney said the membership of the committee reflected the full range of interests in the project.
"Chaired by Xstrata Copper's Steve De Kruijff, this strategic oversight committee of industry and government representatives will oversee future work on infrastructure planning for the north Queensland resource supply chain," he said.
"It is these industries which will be crucial to future investment in improving infrastructure and coordinating the way it is used.
"Mayor John Wharton will represent the seven North West Mayors who are interested in developing the wealth of their communities.
"Consultation with all Mayors will occur as part of the work program.
"The broader MITEZ (Mount Isa Townsville Economic Zone) group will be represented by MITEZ Executive Officer Glen Graham.
"This government wants to support development and investment in resource regions and ensure communities are benefiting from the development of the resource industry."
Funding of $1.66 million for infrastructure planning was secured from Infrastructure Australia to support the North West Queensland supply chain corridor between Mount Isa and Townsville.
This project would build on the earlier work undertaken by MITEZ to develop the North Queensland Resources Supply Chain: Operationalising the 50 Year Infrastructure Plan.
Mr Seeney said the Newman government wanted to see greater utilisation of the existing infrastructure and that would drive economic growth, which was a key priority of the government.
"Greater use of infrastructure is dependent upon bringing forward mining projects, another priority for this government.
"We will continue to work with all players along the infrastructure corridor as it is an important supply chain, with exports from the corridor worth billions to the Queensland economy each year."
Mr Seeney said the first meeting would be held in Townsville on October 8, to help prioritise projects and investment in north Queensland.
The North Queensland Resources Supply Chain Steering Committee
Steve DeKruijff - Chief Operating Officer, Xstrata Copper, John Wharton - Mayor, Richmond Shire Council , Ross Dunning - Chairman, Port of Townsville Limited , G len Graham - Executive Officer, Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone , Tony Lucas - Stakeholder Relations Manager, QR National ,Ray Gofton - National Distribution Manager, Incitec Pivot , Roland Pittar - General Manager, Federal Department of Information and Technology , Paul Smith - Deputy Director General, Department of Transport and Main Roads , Michael Mitchell - General Manager Customer Services - North, Queensland Rail , Brendan Schilling - General Manager Business Development, Blackwood Coal , Jamie Merrick - Deputy Director General, Department of State Development Infrastructure and Planning.
