PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Resources communities in Queensland can now apply for state government funding for infrastructure projects that would benefit regional communities.

Applications have opened to the state government’s A$100-million Resources Community Infrastructure Fund, which is aimed at delivering infrastructure in regional communities that will improve liability, support jobs and provide a boost to the economy as part of Queensland’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“According to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) the resources sector employs around 84 000 workers and directly supports 15 200 Queensland businesses,” Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said on Tuesday.

“Despite the challenges Covid-19 has brought, our resources sector has been able to continue operating throughout the pandemic, helping support our economy. Not-for-profit organisations and local governments in resource communities are now able to apply for between A$100 000 and A$8-million for infrastructure projects that will benefit their communities.”

Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the Fund was a voluntary partnership between the Queensland government, resource companies, and the QRC.

“The government has partnered with resource companies to see investments in the communities that support them,” Stewart said.

“The Queensland government has committed A$30-million to the Fund with participating Queensland resources companies contributing the remaining A$70-million.

“These communities are critical to rebuilding Queensland’s economy. And these new infrastructure projects will create more jobs and more opportunities for regional Queenslanders.”

An expert Advisory Committee, comprising government, resource community and resource industry representatives, has determined how community infrastructure projects will be chosen, ensuring the needs of the state’s resources communities will be properly considered.

Chairperson of the expert Advisory Committee Tony Mooney said the partnership was a great opportunity to make a real difference by funding much needed community infrastructure in resource communities.

“The Advisory Committee is expecting strong interest and a broad range of applications in this first round,” he said.

The Advisory Committee will recommend projects that increase a resource community’s access to services to meet the community’s needs, maximise its potential, or enhance community wellbeing, and enhance community safety, reduce social inequality or benefit disadvantaged communities.

Projects that supplement planned community infrastructure investment by the state and resources sector by delivering new projects as soon as possible that provide benefit to Queensland’s resource communities, will also be considered.

The first funding announcements for the A$100-million fund are expected to be made in late 2021.