Cloncurry Council’s progressive initiative wins Butch Lenton Memorial Innovation Award

Cloncurry Council’s progressive initiative wins innovation award, as part of its strategy to diversify the economy and establish itself as a leading regional hub.

Cloncurry Shire Council will receive a $10,000 bursary from Peak Services as winner of the 2024 Butch Lenton Memorial Bush Council Innovation Award, announced at the Local Government Association of Queensland annual conference last week.

Their award submission for the ‘Meeting of the Mines’ showcased an innovative and transformative event fostering economic growth and community development in regional Queensland.

Council developed this initiative as part of Cloncurry’s strategy to diversify its economy and position itself as a leading regional hub for the mining sector.

 

Mayor, Greg Campbell, said the initiative has three main priorities; to create recognition of the region as a minerals province, identify opportunities for development and increase tourism.

“The concept of Meeting of the Mines aimed to deliver three main outcomes - to highlight Cloncurry Shire as the centre of the North West Minerals Province to government and industry, highlight constraints and opportunities for development in the area, and provide another tourism season shoulder event to boost visitation and drive economic activity for our local businesses,” Mayor Campbell said.

Ensuring the region remains liveable by collaborating with both the mining industry and the community to plan for the future was paramount to the success of the event.

“Cloncurry was built on mining. Since 1867 mining has been a key industry for our community and will continue to be. We aim to make this the most liveable mining community, and the Meeting of the Mines is a great way to share that vision,” Mayor Campbell said.

A panel of judges from across Queensland local government, were impressed to see an application that considers future thinking by responding to community feedback and addressing the need to create liveable communities.

Peak Services Board member, Greg Chemello, commented that Cloncurry’s strategic approach to diversify the economy for future was commendable.

“It’s very clever how Cloncurry is positioning itself as national thought leaders in the mining sector,” Mr Chemello said.

“It’s evident the Meeting of the Mines event was well planned and executed professionally and will benefit the region greatly in the future”.

2023 Award winner, Hayley Thompson from Charters Towers Regional Council was impressed with the submission and recognised the engagement with the mining sector as pivotal in the process.

“This is an innovative approach to an event to boost the local economy whilst engaging with a critical sector in the region,” Ms Thompson said.

Mayor Campell said council is planning to invest the $10,000 bursary into developing a Young Leaders Program to engage the younger generation of the region as part of the Meeting of the Mines initiative.

“This initiative is designed to empower the next generation of leaders in the mining industry, providing financial support for young professionals and students eager to advance their careers by attending the Meeting of the Mines conference, engaging with industry experts and participating in critical discussions that will shape the future of mining in Queensland,” Mayor Campell said.

“This program aims to nurture leadership skills, encourage innovation, and promote diversity within the sector”.

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