The North West needs more than a string along from CopperString
Cr Barry Hughes - NWQROC Chair
As the dust settles on the State election, the local councils of the North West are continuing their fight for a fair share and delivery of much needed, and much overlooked, government investment in our region.
The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC), representing the 11 local governments across the north west, held its first Board meeting since the election last Friday. Leading the agenda we renewed our commitment to continue to actively engage with the state government, including the ministers for Local Government and Water, Transport and Main Road, Natural Resources and Mines, Regional and Rural Development, Housing and Primary Industries, and our state member, Robbie Katter MP.
Regardless of who is in power, we are proud to partner with state and federal governments to deliver on region-shaping initiatives and apply our local knowledge, networks and expertise to ensure the best possible outcomes for our councils, business, industries and communities.
Under the new Crusafulli government we will see further progress, and no doubt attention, on the ‘showcase project’ of our region – CopperString. The sod-turning photo opportunities have rolled out with due fanfare, and now our local councils remain in the dark on the reality – what, if any, fit-for-purpose, long-term benefits will be delivered to their communities?
Before the next round of photo opportunities are lined up, we are calling on the government to prioritise a review into the processes underway for the delivery of CopperString with a focus on our communities and delivering on promised local benefits, meaningful consultation and transparent plans. We are yet to be convinced of what is touted as due regard to impacts and legacy and assurance of adequate outcomes to meet the needs of those communities, not just while construction is underway.
CopperString is set to be a transformative initiative for North West Queensland. Designed to connect the mineral-rich North West Minerals Province, to the National Electricity Market, the project promises economic growth, job creation, and energy security. For communities in and around the major project centres and other parts of the north west, we are told the construction phase can provide a welcome economic boost, providing local employment opportunities and injecting much-needed income into local businesses.
All welcome advancements for our region and fully supported by our organisation and its members.
However, while it’s clear that CopperString can reshape the industrial landscape of part of the region, our questions still remain about the long-term impact and legacy for the local communities that call the north west home.
Ahead of the election we welcomed the LNP’s commitment to fund the Gilbert River Bridge business case. A positive first step to turn sorely needed attention to the basic infrastructure investment needed to enable our region to play its part in transforming Northern Australia as outlined in our NWQ Enabling Infrastructure Masterplan. Likewise, we call for closer scrutiny of the plans and investment that are needed to deliver an adequate Mount Isa rail line and Flinders Highway.
The state of these major transport routes is an ongoing chokehold on progress for our communities, industries and investment attraction. Both are linchpins for freight in our State’s billion-dollar major industries of resources and agriculture, in addition to providing safe and reliable transport for locals and visitors.
Our councils and communities are highly engaged and as always are ready to make developments like CopperString, the Mount Isa rail line, Flinders Highway and more work for the region, state and nation. Just don’t string us along.
