Business
10 October, 2024
BREAKING: Laundry start-up pulls the pin after community backlash
Proponent Neale Parry informed the Queensland government that he wouldn't be accepting the grant.
Negative feedback from the community and media coverage from the North West Weekly and ABC North West has led to the rejection of a $2 million state government grant to establish a new commercial laundry in Mount Isa.
As reported, an entity called NW Commercial Laundry was a successful applicant of the Queensland government's Mount Isa Transition Fund, causing much angst to local commercial laundry operator Verity Sweeney.
Owner Neale Parry said this afternoon he had “reassessed” his position.
“It has never been my intention to cause unrest in a community facing current challenges,” he said.
“Following negative media coverage after successfully obtaining a $2 million grant, my family and I have reassessed our position.
“This, along with changes in family circumstances, I have today advised the state government of my intention not to proceed with the allocated funding under the Mount Isa Transition Fund.
“My family and I wish the community of Mount Isa well during the challenges ahead.”
Mr Parry, who owns CQ Commercial Laundry in Emerald, said he was approached in 2020 by several stakeholders with regards to establishing a commercial laundry in the Mount Isa region.
“Due to its location, the project is faced with significant cost and logistical barriers,” the company said in a statement.
“When the Mount Isa Transition Fund was announced, an application for a grant was submitted to the Queensland government.
“We were excited to receive approval recently. This project would have decades of benefits to the community and to the Australian economy.
“The North West mining corridor will be the economic powerhouse for this country with new critical mineral mines coming online to feed the new energy transition.
“Prior to this application and during the period from 2020 until now, representations have been made to several stakeholders including business and business/industry representative groups, Mount Isa City Council, and government representatives including Bob Katter and Robbie Katter.”