Isaac Regional Council Mayor, Anne Baker, has called on the Queensland Government to take heed of a state Labor conference motion calling for a transparent mineral royalties method to be developed that prioritises reinvestment of funds in rural Queensland.
“Resource communities have been calling for a better return of coal royalties for a long time now,” Mayor Baker (pictured) said.
“It’s heartening to hear that echoed at Queensland State Labor Conference in Mackay on the weekend.”
The Isaac region is home to 31 operating coal mines and produces over half of Queensland’s metallurgical coal exports, delivering more than $13 billion in revenue to support the state treasury, the Mayor said.
She said that with record breaking coal royalties pouring out of the region, Council is confident the projects it has proposed for Queensland Government budget consideration would be looked on favourably.
“These projects go to the very heart of key issues affecting our community futures such as housing, health and critical infrastructure.”
“This may seem like big money, but these are big issues in a time of record-breaking royalties. Now is the time to make sure the wealth of coal royalties goes to communities that need it most.
“Our region has fed, powered and built communities right across Queensland and this reinvestment will ensure we continue to do so in the future.”
The Council’s budget bid includes funding the $26 million Stage 2 construction of the Isaac Resource Excellence Hub which will provide opportunities for workers to develop future skills at the training and innovation centre.
As part of the Clermont Seniors Living Project, Council says $9.332 million is needed for the Monash Lodge precinct to supply accommodation for some of the region’s most vulnerable community members.
The budget bid also includes around $10 million for the Moranbah Waste Management Facility to increase capacity and to improve the Isaac region’s ability to manage waste generated by the community, renewables sector and existing resource industry projects.
Further, to help combat housing issues, $4 million is needed for the Isaac Affordable Housing Scheme.
Visit isaac-advocacy-budget-submissions-updated-2023-lowres for more information on Council’s budget submissions to the Queensland Government.
