General News
26 February, 2025
Mount Isa is open for business: mayor
Peta MacRae says the platform has been laid for big industry to cash in on Mount Isa's potential.
Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae says the ball is now in the court of industry to support the council’s economic vision by finalising its own investment and development plans.
The majority of projects proposed for The Australian Critical Minerals Industrial Precinct are still awaiting final investment decisions and some also require further technical and legal approvals.
Cr MacRae told North West Weekly that the council had delivered a detailed picture of its intentions for the future diversification of the city’s economy.
But she acknowledged there was still work to be completed by industry to ensure the intended list of projects could eventually be housed at the proposed Barkly Highway industrial facility.
“We now need to see industry take the lead on this,” she said.
“The next step will be to see who takes interest in this proposal and what government funding packages are available.
“Council is going to have to persuade and advocate, but we can’t be responsible for implementing all of the Future Economy Roadmap by ourselves.
“We will work with Flying Whales and Green Gravity and the other companies to try to help and advocate for their projects wherever we can.
“But we can’t know which of these projects is going to get up first.”
Cr MacRae defended the roadmap’s heavy focus on backing emerging and experimental technologies, claiming the city was attempting to remain at the forefront of innovation.
“What is new technology? Several years ago, we would not have thought it was possible to see the large (Dugald River) solar farm, but yet it is out there now,” she said.
“So, we just don’t know what is on the horizon. Mount Isa has traditionally been a home of innovation, and we want to return Mount Isa to that again.”
Cr MacRae said she believed the federal government’s $2.4 billion support for the Whyalla steel industry last week indicated that economically productive communities can receive significant bolsters from Canberra.
“To transform our local economy, it is going to take serious investment, and no one gives serious investment unless you have a plan,” she said.
“We are going to return any money the government gives to us in the form of taxation and royalties, but we just need the help now.”