Meandu mine
The resources sector – particularly coal mining – contributed $142 million to the South Burnett’s economy in 2012-13 (Photo: Rio Tinto)

December 11, 2013

The resources sector contributed $142 million to the South Burnett’s regional economy in 2012-13, according to a study released by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

The money – $78 million spent directly and $64 million indirectly – is equivalent to 8 per cent of the South Burnett’s Gross Regional Product.

The QRC study found that resources companies paid $54 million in wages and salaries to 120 direct full-time employees in 2012-13 (not including contractors).

They also spent about $25 million in community contributions and purchases of goods and services from local businesses (including contractors).

This direct expenditure helped to indirectly support an extra 850 jobs.

The QRC also says the South Burnett contributed $9 million in royalties to the State Government in 2012-13 but received zero dollars back that year from Round 1 of the Queensland Government’s Royalties To The Regions program.

The figures are contained in a study of outlays made by 40 of the State’s largest minerals and energy companies.

The latest release is the fourth year the study had been run.

Apart from outlays, it includes the companies’ tax and royalty contributions and returns to shareholders, and is broken down by postcodes and Local Government Areas.