The Greater Whitsunday METS Sector – A Revenue Diversification Strategy is a key deliverable of the broader Decarbonisation Accelerated Project lead by Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) and the Resources Centre of Excellence (RCoE).
“Over many decades of supporting the mining sector, regional METS businesses have evolved into a high performing industry with a depth of skills and expertise unmatched in other Australian regions. In fact, our region has the largest density of METS businesses in the Southern Hemisphere. These skills provide our regional businesses with an exceptional opportunity to embrace economic revenue diversification pathways to safeguard their businesses long into the future. The Greater Whitsunday METS Sector – a Revenue Diversification Strategy outlines actions to embracing new value streams that leverage the region’s established skills and expertise within its METS sector. This approach ensures that while continue to serve our existing mining industry, we further expand our economic portfolio,” Ms Porter said.
More than 40 stakeholders across METS managers and owners, resources companies, state and local government and industry bodies and committees engaged to discuss perceptions of diversification and decarbonisation in the Greater Whitsunday region during the development of the strategy.
“A series of key themes emerged during the stakeholder consultation which can be categorised under three key opportunity areas: Diversifying into new industries; Increasing motivation to diversify and Decarbonising business operation,” Ms Porter said.
The strategy also identified seven new and emerging industries most aligned to regional strengths.“ A multi-criteria analysis has been applied to identify sectors with a high degree of adjacency to the skills and expertise of the region’s METS sector, as well as those considered to be high growth in the future,” Ms Porter said.
Some of these sectors include Critical Minerals, Renewables, Bioenergy, Biomanufacturing, Circular Economy, Aerospace and Post Mining Land Use.
Resources Centre of Excellence Chief Executive Officer Mr Steven Boxall said it is estimated that there are more than 700 METS businesses providing innovative, specialised and unique goods and services, which directly employ and more broadly support thousands of jobs across the region.
“While the traditional METS sector will continue to flourish for a long time to come, the Greater Whitsunday region’s proactive approach to align with future opportunities, is paramount for continued growth. Our Greater Whitsunday METS sector is well-positioned to offer rehabilitation and remediation services, expanding revenue streams to future-proof the region’s economy,” Mr Boxall said.
Some of the key actions identified in the strategy include:
• Powering a workforce: Supporting skills development/transferability
• Forging Relationships: Facilitating partnerships across stakeholder groups
• Exploring Opportunities: Providing insights/information and raising awareness
• Championing Change: Advocating for regulatory /policy change
The strategy will be released at a launch event at FMS Group in Paget the heart of the region’s METS sector on Friday August 23.
Greater Whitsunday Alliance is the region’s peak, independent economic development body committed to making the Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday region strong for generations.
Event details:
When: Launch of the Greater Whitsunday METS Sector – A Revenue Diversification Strategy
Venue: FMS Group 40 Production Drive Paget
Time: 9.30am to 10.30am
