A $1 million fund to enhance social and community life in the Isaac region has been unveiled at today’s (20 April) inaugural Pembroke Resources Community Expo in Moranbah.
Pembroke Chairman and CEO Barry Tudor said the new Pembroke Community Partnership Program fund was created to ensure the local area continued to benefit from the opening of the Olive Downs Complex for generations to come, with funding being provided to projects identified, prioritised and supported by local residents.
“The Olive Downs Complex is already working in strong partnership with the local community by creating and supporting hundreds of jobs, prioritising local procurement whenever possible and providing our workforce with a genuine choice to live within the Isaac Region,” Mr Tudor said.
“Today, we are proud to announce the next step in working together to build a stronger community, through the $1 million Pembroke Community Partnership Program.
“This is stage one of the fund, which will run over the next five years to help ensure the local community reaps the benefits of having the Olive Downs Complex operating in their region. Projects of interest could include those focused on improved health, welfare and employment outcomes as well as improved social infrastructure.
“Another priority for us is reducing unnecessary red tape so it’s as easy as possible for locals to decide how and where this funding is spent for the future benefit of the community.”
Mr Tudor said the Pembroke Community Partnership Program was in addition to other contributions the Olive Downs Complex was making to the region through job and training opportunities, local purchasing whenever possible and leading-edge environmental stewardship.
“The local community is rightly proud that the high-quality steel-making coal being produced by Olive Downs is supporting our national and state economies, as well as much-needed infrastructure across the world. Our Community Partnership Program will ensure those economic benefits are delivered at the local level as well,” he said.
In addition to these community benefits, the Olive Downs Complex will make a significant contribution to the local, state and national economies. The project is estimated to contribute more than $10 billion in royalties for the Queensland Government over its projected 79-year life.
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