- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, to support the critical minerals rush.
- Investment of nearly $346,000 will help council plan Julia Creek's expansion as Queensland's critical minerals industry booms.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland's future and unlocking housing for communities in the State's northwest.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and investing nearly $346,000 in the McKinlay Shire Council's Julia Creek Western Suburb Planning Project, as Queensland's critical minerals industry booms.
Along with funding from the Crisafulli Government's Scheme Supply Fund, the work will support comprehensive master planning for the town's western expansion area, accelerating the delivery of new housing.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders and helping council identify infrastructure and development needs required to unlock future residential supply.
The town is part of the Julia Creek-Richmond Critical Minerals Zone (CMZ) with at least seven projects proposed for the area projected to create significant construction and long-term employment opportunities for northwest Queensland.
It comes following the Crisafulli Government's introduction of new legislation in Parliament to fast-track the next wave of critical minerals development by streamlining regulatory pathways.
The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland's future and identifying new exploration areas and progressing critical minerals opportunities.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Regional and Rural Development Dale Last said the Crisafulli Government was committed to growing vibrant regional communities around Queensland's strong resources sector.
"Right across Queensland we have strong regional communities that thrive on the economic activity the resources industry brings to these towns," Minister Last said.
"Queensland's critical minerals industry is drawing major foreign investment and the Crisafulli Government is unlocking housing in towns like Julia Creek to take advantage of the boom.
"These proposed mines mean thousands of jobs for northwest Queensland that will require people moving to the area to work on these new critical minerals projects.
"We want to lay the groundwork to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders – where they can put down roots and contribute to our vibrant regional communities.
"That's why we're supporting the McKinlay Shire Council to identify what's needed to unlock this new housing estate to the west of Julia Creek.
"Julia Creek is penned to be the epicentre of Queensland's critical minerals rush and through this work and the Crisafulli Government's Residential Activation Fund we are planning for and building more houses in regional Queensland right where they're needed."
McKinlay Shire Council Mayor Janene Fegan said it was important planning starts now to help meet the future needs of Julia Creek.
"Agriculture has always been a pillar of our local economy but it is exciting to see the development of the critical minerals industry around Julia Creek, the main centre of our shire," Mayor Fegan said.
"We'd love to see more people move out here and experience living in the heart of the northwest and we're grateful for the state government's support to help us to plan for the town's expansion.
"The work we're doing now will help us lay the groundwork for a vibrant Julia Creek that will support the mining community for decades to come."
