The vision of the Queensland Government’s Northern Economic Triangle (NET) Infrastructure Plan 2007-2012 is to foster sustainable economic, social and community development and growth through the emergence of Mount Isa, Townsville and Bowen as a triangle of mining, minerals processing and industrial development over the course of the next half century.

In the Bowen region there are currently a number of infrastructure developments in train, including the expansion of the Port of Abbot Point, increased capacity and expansion of the Newlands rail system, and the Queensland Government’s recently declared State Development Area (SDA) at Abbot Point to facilitate industrial development.

In addition to these developments, projects under study include the provision of water infrastructure, energy transmission and distribution, road networks and the potential location of an alumina refinery within the Abbot Point SDA.

This is a voluntary group that will provide community representatives with the opportunity to interact with government and infrastructure stakeholders for the purpose of representing community interests, exchange ideas and work toward partnerships capable of benefiting the community.

The Consultation Group which is meeting every six weeks, is chaired by Dr David Mulligan (Director, Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation). Other representatives on the Group are from the Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Ports Corporation of Queensland, Whitsunday Regional Council, QR Network, SunWater, Department of Main Roads and Bowen Collinsville Enterprise as well as community representatives from environmental, social, business and indigenous backgrounds.

Resources

Meeting notes

Further information

For further information about the NET, contact the Infrastructure and Economic Development Group.