Councillors embrace Surat Basin Expo for fourth year
Published on 15 June 2016
Four Rockhampton Region Councillors are this week attending the 2016 Surat Basin Expo in Toowoomba to build on the momentum and strong relationships it has offered for the past three years.
Rockhampton Regional Councillor and Resource Industry spokesperson Councillor Neil Fisher said the Expo was vital for the Region to help shape the foundations of economic prosperity in the future.
“There are forecasts the Surat Basin will host a potential $180 billion energy industry boom, which includes more than 60 major projects expected to be operational in the next 20 to 50 years and create about 12,500 jobs,” Cr Fisher said
“While the Darling Downs and South West are coming off the construction stage of the gas development, our region is on the verge of starting the construction.
“With this in mind, it’s paramount that we’re prepared and that we fully embrace the resource industry opportunities that will propel economic growth across our Region; there’s no doubt that each year the Expo helps us prepare for that eventuality.”
Councillors are eager to talk to a number of potential businesses on relocating their construction operations to central Queensland, as well as connecting with more than 90 exhibitors including industry experts, and government and business leaders attending the Expo.
“The great benefit of the Expo is we’ll tap into future prospects in technology, services and innovative solutions from across the mining sector, and at the same time we’ll showcase everything that Rockhampton has to offer to entice new business operations to our Region,” Cr Fisher said.
Cr Tony Williams, Cr Drew Wickerson and Cr Rose Swadling are also attending the Expo to gain some valuable insights into the mining industry and how our Region can support it.
“We’ve already laid the foundations with the growing Gracemere Industrial Area anticipated to become the key service area of new mining projects on our doorstep, and our current major road and infrastructure projects add to that overarching support we can offer,” Cr Williams said.
“There are many opportunities for us to be involved and help shape our region’s future,” Cr Wickerson said. “As this is my first Expo, I’m particularly looking forward to talking with industry insiders about their standards and recommendations from an environmental perspective.”
Cr Swadling added that having such a wealth of support services for families was fundamental to mining companies and employees, particularly with the strong possibility of being a FIFO hub.
“Rockhampton is Central Queensland’s major service hub with established state government offices, top-class sporting and recreational facilities, and of course excellent health, school and general tourist attractions, which all help to support the mining industry and their employees in their general well-being and quality of life.”
What: The Surat Basin Expo
When: Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 June
Where: Toowoomba Showgrounds, Toowoomba
Photo: Rick Palmer, Manager Economic Development, along with Cr Rose Swadling and Cr Drew Wickerson at the 2016 Surat Basin Expo in Toowoomba.