Mayoral Minute - November 2024
Published on 27 November 2024
This month has been another incredibly busy one. The start of the month saw the new State Government sworn in, and I would like to congratulate our local Member, Robbie Katter MP, for maintaining his seat. The Councillors and I have already had the opportunity to catch up with him.
I would also like to congratulate our Federal Member Bob Katter on 50 years in Parliament, a huge achievement by anyone’s measure. The CEO and I will be attending an event in Charters Towers to celebrate, network, and lobby early next month, along with other mayors and CEOs from his electorate.
Since our last update, as a team we have attended the LGAQ Annual Conference.
While in Brisbane, we signed an MoU with Green Gravity to help them progress work with their gravitational-energy project. This will create many jobs in construction.
One of the most pleasing aspects for us as a Council is their investigation into manufacturing the weights here in Mount Isa, using recycled plastics from our MRF. This would be an innovative example of circular economy, and the first of its kind.
We also took the opportunity to meet with Ann Leahy, who is now the State Minister for Local Government and Water. Having Minister Leahy stay in Mount Isa for the week during September, when we had the Western Alliance of Councils annual Assembly, means she is well acquainted with our issues and is a terrific advocate. We also met with the Sustainable Minerals Institute, and the Cross-Border Commissioner.
Last week the CEO and I were in Canberra. We met with Federal Ministers Catherine King and Kristy McBain to discuss the Regional Projects and Partnerships Program, which will need to be a stream of funding we target for the proposed Critical Minerals Industrial Precinct.
We also met with the Australian Minerals Council, the Net Zero Authority, and the industry branch of Net Zero. This prep work and advocacy to try to get our area legislated to be a priority area for net-zero, as Gladstone is, will unlock untold opportunities and funding for our city.
On Tuesday, Cr Travis Crowther and Cr James Coghlan attended the opening of the new hospital in Camooweal, which I would’ve loved to attend, however the CEO and I had to attend a Sustainable Minerals Roundtable in Cloncurry.
The message was delivered by the Deputy Director-General that the intention is to streamline approvals, cut red tape, and be a department of action. So we will be holding them to account.
The North West Minerals Province has $680 billion worth of critical minerals in the ground that will need to be accessed if the country continues a decarbonisation agenda. Having a strong Mount Isa workforce is central to being able to achieve this.
It was good to have CopperString there to confirm that their intentions and timeframes haven’t changed, despite media coverage.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of addressing the new Education Queensland teachers that will be in our district next year. I discussed my history in education, my role at Council, and offered advice for them in working successfully in the area. It is pleasing to see the enthusiastic young professionals heading our way.
We will once again be holding our Welcome to Mount Isa event in the new year, so watch out for registration for that for your business in coming weeks.
The operational side of the organisation has been working with the Next Economy consultants to complete our Future Ready Roadmap. The launch of this will be in February, and will set the economic agenda moving forward.
Recycling bins are in the process of being delivered, so if you’re unsure what to put in your bin, download the Recycle Mate app, and all the details are on our website here.