A Strategic Blueprint for Queensland’s North West Minerals Province

The North West Minerals Province, which includes Mount Isa and Cloncurry, is one of the world’s richest mineral-producing regions. The region has delivered significant economic benefits to Queensland for decades.

While fluctuating commodity prices and mining activities have presented challenges for the resources sector, positive economic signs are emerging. These include significant new regional projects and growing global demand for the critical minerals located in this highly prospective region.

A Strategic Blueprint for Queensland's North West Minerals Province (the Blueprint) contains a suite of actions to secure the long-term future of the region and its communities. This includes funding of $39 million over four years as part of the 2017–18 State Budget for a range of actions under three strategic priorities.

Strategic Priority 1. Facilitating continued resources sector development

Initiatives include large-scale geological programs to help identify the next generation of commercial mineral deposits and to support frontier gas exploration. Promoting the region’s potential to investors and facilitating commercial development of smaller projects, including potential common-user infrastructure, will also support resource sector development.

Strategic Priority 2. Diversifying the regional economy and creating employment opportunities

These initiatives support the diversification of the regional economy and maximise economic development and job creation opportunities. This includes targeted support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and other young people, and the implementation of the North West Queensland Economic Diversification Strategy .

Strategic Priority 3. Working with businesses and the community to deliver integrated and appropriate services

Funding has been provided to improve government and collaborative service delivery, maintain and build community resilience, and engage with regional stakeholders to deliver the Blueprint.

Stay informed

For more information on the Blueprint, please email strategicblueprintNWMP@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au or telephone (07) 4747 3900.