Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors and QRC forge historic bond

Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors (GWCoM), representing the Isaac, Mackay and Whitsunday regions, have signed an MOU with the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

The MOU recognises the important contribution of, and the responsibilities associated with, sustainable development of mineral and energy reserves within the Greater Whitsunday region.

The Greater Whitsunday region is proud to be a world-class resource jurisdiction, producing 71 per cent of Queensland’s metallurgical coal and 31 per cent of Queensland’s thermal coal.

The resources sector makes a substantial contribution to capital investment, regional development and skilled jobs in regional communities across Queensland, including Greater Whitsunday, with more than 18,000 full-time equivalent direct jobs and almost another 38,000 indirect FTE jobs.

The MOU sets out a range of common initiatives that all parties can work towards for sustainable development, including:

• Promotion
• Education
• Local Community & Industry development and support
• Royalties are reinvested in Greater Whitsunday region

“The Greater Whitsunday region, including the Galilee Basin, is a world-class resource area and needs to be sustainably managed for the benefit of all parties, especially local communities” GWCoM chair and Isaac Region Mayor Anne Baker said.

“This is a unique and historic commitment between councils and key industry to work together for common goals,’’ she said.

Whitsunday Regional Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was important that a fair share of royalties earned from our regions were reinvested in our regions.

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“A recent study undertaken on behalf of GWCoMs shows that $10 billion in payroll tax and royalties are being earned by the State over a 20-year period,” he said.

“It is important that we stand united as community leaders and secure increased investment from those royalties for regional areas.”

Mackay Region Mayor Greg Williamson said partnering with industry was key.

“Together, councils representing local communities and QRC representing key industry, can achieve great things,’’ he said.

“It is important that we are all on the same page and working together on agreed outcomes which will benefit everyone, particularly local communities.”

The MOU signing took place during the GWCoM’s meeting, with Ian Macfarlane, CEO of the QRC, present for this momentous occasion.