THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed a $45 million State Government pre-election commitment to a new future skills initiative to encourage closer partnerships between high schools and industry-related job opportunities.

“The Queensland Government has already been a vital partner in our 80-strong Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) under the Gateway to Industry Schools Program and this funding will further boost the capacity of some of our partner schools to set young people onto trade and STEM career pathways,” QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said.

“QMEA schools from across the state would benefit from the promised new facilities that will support the development of skills in engineering, hospitality and the emerging hydrogen industry, and prepare students for the skills demanded by our sector,” he said.

These include:

• Dysart State High School – $900,000 for commercial standard kitchen facilities
• Chinchilla State High School and Tara State College - $4.8 million for engineering annexe and equipment to support training opportunities in local mining, gas and electrical industries
• Bowen State High School - $1.4m upgrade to aquaculture facility
• Pimlico State High School - $1.4m enhanced aquaponics infrastructure
• Gladstone State High School –  $2m for training for emerging hydrogen industry
• Roma State College - $1.5m for infrastructure for animal husbandry and agricultural studies
• Glenala State High School - $2.25m upgrade to trade training centre for four schools
• Rockhampton State High School - $2.5m for aquaculture research centre facilities
• Dalby State High School - $2.5m upgrade to rural/industrial manufacturing facilities
• Clermont State High School - $1.3m for commercial kitchen and industry- standard facilities
• Cloncurry State School - $500,000 upgrade to welding and metal work facilities
• Mackay Northern Beaches State High School – $1.2m for engineering, early childhood, arts and information/digital media/technology/business training facilities
• Thuringowa State High School - $1.2m science labs refurbishment.

Mr Macfarlane said QRC members already invest more than $1 million each year in the QMEA to ensure resources companies have the skilled people they need to operate safely and successfully.

He said investing in training for young people to encourage them to work in the resources sector was more important than ever, because of the vital role the mining and gas industries were playing to support Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

“The QRC has also welcomed the state government’s commitment to a Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan to steer future growth in our sector,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“This plan includes extra support for STEM skills and a commitment to employ more industrial design and technology teachers, which will be of critical importance to the success of the government’s future skills initiative,” he said.

www.qrc.org.au

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC),  Ian Macfarlane has welcomed 50 extra resources-related construction jobs created by Senex Energy in its new $30 million Roma North expansion announced today.

“This announcement couldn’t have come at a better time,” Mr Macfarlane said. “Senex’s decision to increase its gas production near Roma in south-west Queensland by 50 percent is just the sort of investment confidence Queensland needs to bolster the economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 induced downturn.

“I congratulate Senex on its latest announcement, which adds to the 250 construction jobs and $400 million investment committed to completing its Atlas and Roma North projects in the Surat Basin over the past 18 months, benefiting more than 50 businesses in the region,” he said.

“The resources sector has kept Queensland afloat during the COVID emergency contributing $74 billion over the past year to the State Budget and $56.5 billion – or almost 80 percent – of Queensland’s total exports.

“And making that possible are the 372,000 hard-working men and women employed in Queensland’s resources sector whose families and communities benefit every day from the financial security and job opportunities our sector provides.”

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Queensland resources industry has continued to deliver its 80 percent share of the state’s export earnings over the past 12 months despite the disruptions to international markets and commodity prices, according to new trade data.

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said over the 12 months to August 2020, the 372,000 Queensland men and women working in resources helped deliver $56.5 billion -- or 79.25 percent -- of the state’s total export earnings of $71.3 billion.

“Queensland export earnings have been impacted by COVID-19, with total export earnings down by $16 billion compared to the previous 12 months, but we’ve still contributed 80 percent of total exports ,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“Export sales to overseas customers are critical to our prosperity at home in Queensland.  As a result of the men and women working in resources following COVID-safe practices, our industry is keeping the Queensland economy strong and continuing to contribute to a resources-led COVID recovery.

“The world needs what Queensland has, but we also need to have long-term, stable policy and royalty settings to ensure the resources industry can continue to invest, employ and export at the level we currently do, and on which our state economy depends.”

Queensland’s resource exports across key commodities over the 12 months to August 2020 are led by metallurgical and thermal coal at $33.2 billion, liquefied natural gas at $13.8 billion and minerals at $9.5 billion.

Link to Queensland Treasury export data update.

www.qrc.org.au

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THE Bureau of Meteorology has released its Severe Weather Outlook for October to April, showing an increased risk of flooding for eastern Australia and tropical cyclones in the north, with roughly average potential for heatwaves and severe thunderstorms.

The current La Niña is likely to bring more rain to eastern and northern Australia, with some drought affected areas already seeing rainfall deficiencies ease and water storage levels increase.

La Niña also suggests an earlier than normal arrival for the first rains of this year's northern wet season and an earlier monsoon onset for Darwin.

While recent decades have seen a decline in the number of tropical cyclones in our region, Bureau climatologist, Greg Browning, said this summer was likely to buck that trend.

"On average Australia sees 9-11 tropical cyclones each year, with four crossing the coast. With La Niña this year we are expecting to see slightly more tropical cyclones than average, and the first one may arrive earlier than normal," Mr Browning said.

"Every northern wet season has had at least one tropical cyclone cross the Australian coast, so we can never be complacent. We know that cyclones can develop at any time throughout the tropical cyclone season, which runs from November to April," he said.

"This means that communities right across northern Australia need to stay be prepared now, and stay informed from the very start of the tropical cyclone season in October, right though until April."

After the catastrophic fires of last summer, it's a very different bushfire outlook this season, with average fire potential for most parts.

"This fire season we're expecting wetter than average conditions in eastern and northern Australia, so long running large bushfires are less likely, however a wetter spring can lead to abundant grass growth, which could increase fire danger as it naturally dries during summer.

"Meanwhile, if dry conditions continue in southwest Western Australia as forecast, the potential for more fire weather days there could increase."

The Bureau's general manager of Decision Support Services, Sandy Whight, said the lower fire risk across much of Australia was no reason for complacency.

"Southern Australia is one of the most bushfire prone places in the world in any summer and it's important to remember that, right across Australia, even short periods of hot and windy weather will raise the fire risk, so communities need to have their bushfire plans ready.

"La Niña also brings more rain and increased humidity, which can mean fewer extreme heat days. But while heatwaves may not be as severe, the Bureau's advice is that in southern areas they may last longer and be more humid – both of which can increase the risk to human health. Be sure to monitor the Bureau's heatwave service, which provides information about the location and severity of heatwaves."

"The Bureau is committed to keeping Australians safe. We support emergency partners and the community to prepare for the impacts of severe weather through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice. 

"Now, more than ever, it's vital to heed the Bureau's warning to Know your weather. Know your risk."

REGIONAL SNAPSHOTS

QUEENSLAND

• La Niña is likely to bring more rain than usual, with an increased risk of widespread flooding.
• Likely to see more tropical lows and cyclones than normal.
• Earlier start to the wet season across the north.
• Average numbers of severe thunderstorms.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

• La Niña is likely to bring more (and earlier) rain than usual.
• La Niña typically means earlier onset of the monsoon, higher likelihood for more tropical lows and cyclones than usual.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• La Niña's impacts are not as marked in northern WA as they are in eastern Australia.
• Expect an earlier onset of the monsoon and increased risk of a pre-Christmas tropical cyclone off northwest WA.
• Increased risk of widespread flooding in the north.
• A dry spring could increase fire potential in the south.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

• More grass growth in spring could raise the risk of grass fires in summer.
• During La Niña, heatwaves may last longer and be more humid, though there may be fewer days of extreme heat compared an average season.
• La Niña is likely to bring more rain than usual through what is usually a very dry period in SA.

TASMANIA

• Normal bushfire potential, but more grass could provide more fuel in summer.
• Extreme heat days are more likely every season, due to the impacts of climate change.
• La Niña is likely to bring an increased risk of widespread flooding for eastern Tasmania.

VICTORIA

• Increased risk of widespread flooding.
• Fewer extreme heat days but heatwaves may last longer and be more humid.
• Long running bushfires are less likely, but more grass could provide more fuel in summer.

NEW SOUTH WALES

• La Niña is likely to bring more rain than usual with an increased risk of widespread flooding.
• Heatwaves could be more humid and last for longer, especially in southern NSW.
• Normal bushfire potential, but more grass could provide more fuel in summer.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

• La Niña is likely to bring more rain than usual with an increased risk of flooding.
• The ACT has normal bushfire potential, but people in rural areas and on the urban edge of Canberra are advised to plan for the potential of fast-moving grassfires.

The Bureau's severe weather outlook page: www.bom.gov.au/knowyourweather

The Bureau's Tropical Cyclone Season Outlook: www.bom.gov.au/climate/cyclones/australia/

More information on La Niña impacts is at: http://media.bom.gov.au/social/blog/2440/explainer-what-is-a-la-nia/
 
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