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The Future
From 2000 the major investment era had slowed down with the new facilities entering their production phases but continuing to contribute to regional centres through the provision of goods and services to support mining operations.
The future for the MITEZ region continues to revolve around mining, primary production, and tourism. Some of the individual Local Government Authorities have had success negotiating indigenous land use agreements, an area of the Law which has impacted significantly on the region, particularly ongoing geological exploration work.
The primary production area is showing encouraging areas of diversification with experimental aquaculture activity at Richmond and well developed water resource conservation plans awaiting review and assessment by the Department of Natural Resources and Mining.
The obvious unknown at this time is the impact of Xstrata on the region as the former operations of MIM are taken over.
The individual Local Government Authorities have embraced the Overlanders Way tourism product with world-class innovative attractions along the route and tourism development is currently an area of interest and potential investment.
MITEZ enjoys the support of the Local Government Authorities along the corridor, i.e. Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay, Richmond, Flinders, Dalrymple, Charters Towers City, Thuringowa City and Townsville City.
In addition to ongoing support of the Department of State Development, support to MITEZ has come either in kind or by membership subscription from Local Government Authorities and major organisation operating in the MITEZ region, including Macair, Telstra, and long term supporter Townsville Port Authority.
MITEZ Inc will continue to support State, Federal and Local Governments with development programmes and where appropriate provide assistance to MITEZ region based organisations in the development of specific projects.
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