Opportunities for apprenticeships in Queensland could be set to receive a boost, after the state government unveiled plans to develop an oil shale industry.
Providing details about the new oil shale policy today (February 13), mines minister Andrew Cripps said tapping into the underdeveloped resource is a major boon for the Queensland economy.
“The industry has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in the construction phase alone, and provide royalties and other economic benefits for our regional communities and the broader economy, which is great news for Queensland,” Mr Cripps commented.
The Sunshine State boasts approximately 90 per cent of Australia’s known oil shale resources – the equivalent of approximately 22 billion barrels of oil, the minister added.
“As the world supply of conventional crude oil diminishes, there are strong prospects for oil shale to become the next major source of liquid fuel supplies in Australia, and Queensland is well placed to lead that charge.”
Under the new policy, new entrants to the industry will be required to prove their oil shale extraction technologies through trial projects, while each development will be subject to environmental assessment.
Existing and new operators will also be required to prepare full Environmental Impact Statements for their projects.
