Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Andrew Cripps
Natural Resources and Mines Minister gets runs on the board
Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps today said he was proud of the significant reforms actioned by his Department in the first 100 days of Government.
Mr Cripps said the Department of Natural Resources and Mines is maximising the long-term, orderly and sustainable development of the State’s significant natural resource wealth, while demanding world’s best social and environmental outcomes for Queenslanders.
“The Newman Government’s list of achievements in its first 100 days shows that it is committed to restoring Queensland’s reputation as a safe place to invest,” Mr Cripps said.
“We’ve accomplished some major reforms within the first 100 days that will make this State a better place for all Queenslanders, including one of the first bills introduced to Parliament to lower the cost of living.
“The resources sector is one of the four pillars of the economy and will play a pivotal role in curbing this state’s $2.8 billion deficit an d ballooning debt, a legacy left to us by the former Labor Government.”
In its first 100 Days, the Newman Government has reduced red tape and streamlined development approvals in the resources sector.
Key conditional approvals facilitated by the Deputy Premier, and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney, and the Minister for Natural Resources and Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps include:
• The approval of Anglo American’s $1.7 billion Grosvenor Mine near Moranbah
• The approval of GVK-Hancock’s $6.4 billion Alpha Coal project in the Galilee Basin
• The approval of Rio Tinto’s $1.45 billion South of Embley bauxite mine on Cape York
• The invitation for comment by the Co-ordinator General on the proposed $500 million Wongai coking coal project, north west of Cooktown
The Newman Government has also moved to restore confidence and transparency in the management of Queensland’s natural resources by:
• Launching reviews into prosecutions and penalties imposed under the Vegetation Management Act 1999, and referring inconsistencies in water licencing in the Barron River to the Crime and Misconduct Commission
• Establishing a GasFields Commission to manage the co-existence of regional landholders, rural communities and the CSG industry
• Establishing a Statutory Regional Planning process for the Darling Downs and Golden Triangle region in Central Queensland to allow greater local input into the determination of regionally-appropriate developments
• Standing up for Queensland communities affected by the proposed Murray-Darling Basin plan
• Achieving significant outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders, including recognition of the Gungarri People’s Native Title rights in south-west Queensland and the delivery of land to the Dgiru people at Mission Beach.
• Delivering on our commitment to rehab ilitate abandoned mine lands in Queensland and address community concerns about the potential impact of abandoned mine sites on our waterways and the environment.
“I am confident the Newman Government has made a strong start to addressing key issues for the resources and agricultural sectors and the broader community,” he said.
“There is still plenty of work to do, but we will get Queensland back on track.”
