Queensland's resource communities including Mount Isa and Cloncurry can apply for new funding for infrastructure projects to benefit local communities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Applications open Tuesday for project funding under the Palaszczuk Government's $100 million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund.
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said the fund would deliver infrastructure in regional communities to improve liability, support jobs and provide an economic boost.
"According to the Queensland Resources Council the resources sector employs around 84,000 workers and directly supports 15,200 Queensland businesses," Mr Miles said.
"Despite the challenges COVID-19 has brought, our resources sector has been able to continue operating throughout the pandemic, helping support our economy."
Under the fund, not-for-profit organisations and local governments in resource communities can apply for between $100,000 and $8 million for infrastructure projects to benefit their communities.
The Fund is a voluntary partnership between the Queensland Government, resource companies, and the QRC.
The Queensland Government has committed $30 million to the Fund with participating Queensland resources companies contributing the remaining $70 million.
The government said an expert Advisory Committee of government, resource community and resource industry representatives, has determined how community infrastructure projects will be chosen, to consider the needs of resources communities, though disappointingly there are no North West Queensland representatives on the committee.
Chair of the expert Advisory Committee Tony Mooney said the partnership was a great opportunity to make a real difference by funding much needed community infrastructure in resource communities.
"The Advisory Committee is expecting strong interest and a broad range of applications in this first round," Mr Mooney said.
The Advisory Committee will recommend projects that increase a resource community's access to services to meet the community's needs, maximise potential, or enhance community wellbeing and enhance community safety, reduce social inequality or benefit disadvantaged communities and supplement planned community infrastructure investment with new projects.
Advisory Committee members are (community representatives) Tony Mooney, former Townsville Mayor, and current chair of the Townsville Hospital and Health Board, Fiona Jose, CEO of Cape York Partnership, Jane Williams, chair of the Central West Hospital and Health Board,(industry representatives) Melissa Johnson, General Manager, Hay Point Coal Terminal BMA, Leah Morgan, Specialist Corporate Affairs, South32, Anthony Pitt, Director Logistics and Procurement, Glencore Coal Assets Australia, Jess Roberson, Kestrel Coal Resources, (government representatives) Michael McKee, Deputy Director-General Corporate, Department of State Development and Natalie Wilde, Deputy Director-General Local Government.
The first funding announcements for the $100 million fund are expected to be made in late 2021.
The Fund's Applicant Guidelines are available at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/rcif
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
Bookmark https://www.northweststar.com.au/
Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Google News
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.
