Meeting of Queensland’s local leaders highlights the critical role of resources sector investment

As Queensland communities start the recovery after devastating floods in north Queensland, the importance of strong local supply chains, infrastructure, and business networks has never been clearer.

Today’s Queensland Local Content Leaders Network (QLCLN) meeting brought together key industry figures, government representatives, and regional business leaders to reinforce the role of local procurement and local investment in building economic resilience and disaster recovery capacity.

The QLCLN is a collaborative initiative supported by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) that brings together representatives from regional councils, business and industry associations to champion local communities and thousands of businesses.

QRC is the peak industry body representing the resources sector in the QLCLN and is working together with other members to strengthen local procurement policies and maximise regional spend from major projects to help Queensland communities prepare for the future.

This week’s flooding events once again underlined the importance of strong local procurement policies needed to enable businesses and communities to have access to services and infrastructure.

QRC CEO Janette Hewson said this week’s floods reinforced the necessity of local suppliers, infrastructure, and industry collaboration in keeping regional communities strong.

“Local procurement makes it easier to develop and maintain Queensland’s critical infrastructure, especially at a time when the State has been hit by natural disasters,” Ms Hewson said.

“As a supporter of QLCLN, QRC continues to champion local procurement through initiatives like the QRC Local Content Report and fair returns for the regions from royalties collected by government.

“The Queensland resources sector is committed to investing in local businesses, ensuring supply chains remain resilient and communities can recover and rebuild faster,” Ms Hewson said.

Kylie Porter, CEO of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and QLCLN meeting Chair said the work of the QLCLN ensures regional resource communities benefit from increased spending with local businesses and industry.

“When local content expenditure increases in regional communities there is direct economic development benefits in terms of jobs, skills and sustaining small and family businesses.”

The resources sector has continued to prove its commitment to supporting local economies by spending a record $32.7 billion with Queensland businesses in the 2023-24 financial year.

Notably, 72 percent of industry spend was re-invested in businesses based in the State and supported regional supply chains and employment.

Indigenous business procurement increased by 52%, showing growing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.

“By strengthening local procurement policies, Queensland communities will be better prepared for future economic shifts or disasters like the ones we’ve seen this week,” said Ms Hewson.

“We need to make sure that local businesses are not just part of the conversation but part of the solution. Our industries have the capability, and our communities have the need. The work of the QLCLN is about bridging that gap.”

The Queensland Local Content Leaders Network members include the Greater Whitsunday Alliance, Resources Industry Network, Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise, Capricorn Enterprise, Central Highlands Development Corporation, Gladstone Engineering Alliance, C-RES and representatives from regional local councils.