Premier Campbell Newman and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the agreement would set out key actions to help drive economic growth and create jobs in Queensland’s resources sector.

“My government committed at the 2012 election to grow resources as one of Queensland’s four economic pillars,” Newman said.

“This agreement builds on the ResourcesQ initiative, which will create a 30-year vision and action plan for Queensland.

“It will deliver a strong plan to ensure that Queensland’s resources industry is supported for decades to come.

“Key elements of the agreement include a new Resources Skills Centre of Excellence and a government one-stop shop for the resource industry.

“Our partnership is now cemented by the ResourcesQ Partnership Agreement, which we signed with the Queensland Resources Council, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.”

Cripps said the agreement identified a joint initiative between industry and government to make Queensland a global hub for skills and innovation in the resources sector.

“We need to develop and grow Queensland into a world-leading mining jurisdiction, and we plan to do so by examining the options to develop a Resources Skills Centre of Excellence,” Cripps said.

“This centre will act as a global hub to coordinate, plan, facilitate, promote, lead and deliver resources sector skilling and innovation in partnership with quality education and training providers.

“We will also look at including resource industry skills in the school curriculum and the possibility of a flagship school in Brisbane that builds on the role of the existing Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy.

“The agreement will allow us to create a governmental one-stop shop to provide resources companies and potential investors with a single contact point for information.

“Queensland is open for business, and we want to make sure we are the most attractive place for industry to operate in Australia.”

Association of Mining and Exploration Companies regional Manager Bernie Hogan said he was pleased the government was committed to working with industry for the long-term benefit of the sector in Queensland.

“It is very encouraging that the Queensland government has taken its commitment to work with industry to the next level with the signing of this partnership agreement today,” Hogan said.

“The dual focus of the immediate action agenda and the 30-year vision for the sector means that we are addressing the actions we need to get underway now, while also having our eye on the horizon to be prepared for future challenges and opportunities.”

Head of CSIRO’s mineral futures research Anna Littleboy said they were pleased to work with the Queensland Government to develop the groundwork for the 30-year resources strategy.

“Forecasting trends that will impact the sector is an important first step towards understanding how we can drive a successful and prosperous industry into the future,” Littleboy said.

“As energy costs rise, new energy sources including renewables will become available and the industry must proactively respond to these changes.

“Similarly, with a greater emphasis on community acceptance of mining practices going forward we must create the building blocks for a deeper interaction between the industry and community now.”