The Palaszczuk Government has backed a multi-million-dollar economic recovery boost to secure more than 1000 resource and manufacturing jobs across North Queensland, from Mount Isa to Townsville.
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While the official figure has not divulged as commercial-in-confidence it is understood that the state is providing between $30-40 million which Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says would assist the ongoing operations of the Mount Isa copper smelter, the Townsville copper refinery and manufacturer Incitec Pivot.
"This investment will underpin 350 jobs at the smelter, 220 jobs at the Townsville Copper Refinery, and another 520 in Incitec Pivot's operations in North Queensland, which depend on the smelter for feedstock," the premier said.
The support package will allow for the four-yearly re-bricking and maintenance work at the smelter, due in September next year.
Treasurer Cameron Dick said the funding lifeline is part of their $8 billion plan to protect Queensland jobs.
"The North-West Minerals Province was one of the world's richest mineral-producing regions, with half a trillion dollars' worth of the new economy minerals needed for batteries and renewables and demand for those critical minerals will climb over the next decade from the renewable and technology sector," Mr Dick said. "Queensland needs to maintain minerals processing capability in the North West to keep supply chains open for future critical mineral developments and the jobs they will create."
Glencore said the government's incentive would help mitigate the ongoing costs of continuing its copper smelter in Mount Isa and refinery in Townsville beyond 2022.
"We recognise these metallurgical assets are an important part of the North Queensland economy and part of a broader supply chain which supports thousands of jobs," Glencore said.
Jeanne Johns, Incitec Pivot Managing Director and CEO said the Queensland Government's support was a vote of confidence for the region.
"This commitment underpins fertiliser supply and manufacturing at Mount Isa and Phosphate Hill facilities, ensuring that major employers like us can continue to provide jobs to support the agricultural sector," she said.
"Incitec Pivot is committed to this region which is a key economic zone for the state and will play a crucial role in the economic recovery of Queensland."
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
