Toowoomba specialist gas industry supplier Easternwell, a Broadspectrum subsidiary, has been granted a multi-million-dollar contract that will sustain more than 300 jobs for Queenslanders and flow-on for other local businesses.

Mines and Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the five-year contract for Shell’s QGC business in the Surat Basin region of Queenslandwould deliver a major injection into the city’s economy.

“The south-west Queensland gas industry continues to fuel Toowoomba and the Downs’s economy when it comes to jobs and business opportunities,” the Minister said.

“It’s great to see this contract with Shell’s QGC business generating local employment, including more contracts for local Indigenous businesses.”

Statewide the oil and gas industry directly employs close to 8000 people and contribute to the state with an expected $447 million in royalties in 2018‑19. Dr Lynham said that the Darling Downs is at the heart of this industry with the Surat and southern Bowen basins accounting for more than three-quarters of the industry in Queensland.

“We have three companies with licences in the Surat to seek out or produce gas for the domestic market only, and a structured plan to deliver effective incentives for explorers,” he explained, “the Palaszczuk Government’s wants to keep growing Queensland as a reliable and affordable gas producer to drive regional economic growth, to provide gas to our industry and manufacturers, and for electricity generation.”