The Queensland Government has blindsided Isaac Regional Council over the future of the coalfields community of Glenden, according to Mayor Kelly Vea Vea.

The Mineral Resources and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 introduced to parliament yesterday will repeal obligations imposed on QCoal under the former Labor Government to accommodate its Byerwen coal mine workforce in Glenden.  

At the same time, the State Government has launched a registration of interest process for those interested in purchasing land and investing in the coalfields town.

“This has come completely out of the blue,” Cr Vea Vea said.

“Isaac Regional Council has been engaging with the Queensland Government in good faith since last year regarding the proposed registration of interest process for homes and land in Glenden and at no point was it raised that would go hand in hand with a legislation change.”

Glenden was built in the early 1970s by Mount Isa Mines (MIM) to house workers servicing the nearby Newlands operation, which has now closed.

QCoal and its partners, under the Energy Resources Queensland (ERQ) group, campaigned throughout 2024 against the previous government’s legislation on Byerwen workforce accommodation.

They argued the forced closure of the Byerwen camp in favour of all workers being housed at Glenden – a move intended to breathe life into the fading community – placed the future of the coal mine and its jobs at risk.

The Crisafulli Government says rushed changes by the former Labor Government failed to consider or address practical implications of workforce health and safety and fatigue management, or basic requirements such as the availability of services like water supply and critical infrastructure.  

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said the current government had undertaken extensive planning and infrastructure assessment work to find a practical path forward for Glenden. 

He said the registration of interest process invited potential purchasers to put forward proposals that could help drive investment, create economic opportunities and contribute to the town’s long-term future. 

“This is a win for the community and a win against Labor’s laws which restricted opportunities for the future of Glenden, without consideration to the implications,” he said.  

“Unlike the former Labour Government, who played political games with the future of the town, we want to see what is practical and possible to deliver certainty for residents.” 

Cr Vea Vea said it was ironic that the Queensland Government had accused the previous state government of political game-playing when it came to Glenden. “If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black, I don’t know what is,” she said.

Cr Vea Vea said the proposed repeal was difficult to reconcile with the scale and longevity of the Byerwen mine.

“Byerwen mine is a $1.7 billion mine with a 50-year approval. Yet the community obligations that were put in place for QCoal to support Glenden are now being removed and replaced with an expression of interest and the hope that the market will deliver,” she said.

“It’s hard to conceive how a mine of this scale and longevity can have fewer commitments to the community than a small solar farm or battery project.”

Cr Vea Vea said she had sent an urgent meeting request to Mr Last.