Law binds Byerwen to keep Glenden going

A fast-tracked piece of legislation intended to secure the future of the coalfields community of Glenden has passed in Queensland Parliament. It will see mine leases for QCoal's nearby Byerwen operation include conditions that will require the company to transition to having its workers live in Glenden. By March 31, 2029 the entire workforce at Byerwen mine will need to be accommodated in the town. Isaac Regional Council has hailed the move as a win for pure people power. “The future of Glenden has now been enshrined in law with the changes to the Mineral Resources Act ensuring that the community will continue to thrive,” Mayor Anne Baker said. “Minister (Scott) Stewart was clear in his parliamentary address about the legislation that will see QCoal, Glencore, council and State Government coming together over the next six months to finalise planning of the workforce integration. “This precedent-setting legislation not only secures Glenden’s future but gives hope to all Queensland communities that host major resource projects, that the government has the desire and will to listen to regional communities.” Glenden was established in the 1980s to house the workers of the Newlands coal mine, which came to the end of its operating life early this year. The council feared that the community was set to be bulldozed, with Newlands owner Glencore winding down its involvement and undertaking rehabilitation responsibilities including removal of the town. It has been fighting for QCoal, whose $1.8 billion Byerwen coal mine is located about 20km from the community, to put workers’ accommodation in Glenden rather than expanding on-site accommodation. It launched a major 'Save Glenden' campaign in June when Mr Stewart granted preliminary approval for QCoal to expand its mining camp. The Mineral Resources (Glenden) Act was passed yesterday as an add-on to the Child Protection (Offender Reporting and Offender Prohibition Order) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill. Under the legislative changes, QCoal will be granted a mining lease to operate a temporary workers camp for its Byerwen coal mine. However, the company will be required to move workers out of the camp and progressively house them in Glenden from 2025, with no workers to remain at the camp after 2029. Mr Stewart said the amendments were about more than just the scrutiny of the Byerwen miners’ camp. "The amendments provide certainty for all involved," he told Parliament. "They provide certainty to the mine and its many hundreds of workers as the mine continues to operate. They provide certainty to local government in relation to land use approvals and economic outcomes, but most of all they provide certainty to the people of Glenden. "These amendments seek to secure the long-term future of Glenden, and they will ensure that the residents of Glenden share in the economic and social benefits of a billion-dollar resource project in the Isaac region." QCoal has been contacted for comment but did not respond before this story's publication. Long-time Glenden resident Milissa Phillips-Payne said it had been an emotional ride of uncertainty for a decade. “This is my home, our home, and after all the blood, sweat and tears, the government have listened and, in the process, saved towns like Glenden from facing a wrecking ball,” Ms Phillips-Payne said. Isaac Regional Council Director of Planning, Environment and Community Services Dan Wagner, Councillor Gina Lacey, Isaac Mayor Anne Baker, Minister for Resources Scott Stewart, Isaac Deputy Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and long-term Glenden resident Milissa Phillips-Payne outside Queensland Parliament in Brisbane yesterday afternoon (August 24).

Law binds Byerwen to keep Glenden going

Industry Queensland

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