QCoal now compliant despite camp clash

Resources Minister Scott Stewart has responded to QCoal’s accusations of bias saying the Queensland company got what it wanted. The mining company said it is being forced to move its accommodation to the Glenden township from Byerwen Mine in the northern Bowen Basin in a move that will damage the operation and place workers at more risk. QCoal wanted to build a workers camp on the mine site, saving the 32km trip for hundreds of workers each day. It was knocked back by Isaac Regional Council. The State Government retrospectively tied the move as a condition to the mining lease. Main image: Glenden is located 32km from Byerwen mine If the legislation stipulating Glenden as the accommodation centre had not been passed urgently, QCoal’s workers camp would be operating illegally, said Mr Stewart. Resources Minister Scott Stewart “QCoal said they needed a solution immediately and that’s what this legislation does,” he said. “I will always back regional communities like Glenden. I know the community was overjoyed with the steps this government has taken to secure the town’s future. “In its own Environmental Impact Statement, QCoal committed to accommodating workers in Glenden. That’s what we’re ensuring they do with this legislation.” Related: Heavy-handed move spooks investors Glenden was built in the early 1970s by Mount Isa Mines (MIM) to house workers servicing the nearby Newlands operation, which has now closed - leaving a shell of a town. QCoal argues that it is taking on MIM owner Glencore’s burden, saying Glencore has been granted permission to build an accommodation camp at its Hail Creek site, 40km from Glenden. Glencore could be housing that workforce in Glenden in line with its liabilities, QCoal group executive James Black said in a recent interview. But Mr Stewart said it was a different situation. “The Hail Creek workers camp is a separate matter and was actually approved by the former Nebo Shire Council,” he said. “The workers camp for Byerwen was refused by council and appeals by QCoal were dismissed by the courts.” The government backed the resources industry for the jobs it supported and the billions of dollars in royalties it generated, Mr Stewart said. “Since 2015, there has been at least $83.5 billion in private sector investment in Queensland’s mining industry, and average employment in the resource sector increased by over 10,000 persons," he said. “During that time, 18 new major projects have been announced and constructed. “A further 17 projects announced during that time now have investment committed. “Queenslanders deserve their fair share of the resources that belong to them and we are proud of introducing our progressive coal royalties scheme which is helping give people $1000 off their power bill.”

QCoal now compliant despite camp clash

Industry Queensland

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