‘Sliding door’ moment for future of regional towns

The community-led battle to save the coalfields town of Glenden from demolition represents a 'sliding door' moment for the Queensland Government, according to Katter’s Australian Party Leader Robbie Katter. The Traeger MP (pictured above in his home town of Mount Isa) has long spoken out against fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) workforce practices and said there was an onus on the Resources Minister Scott Stewart to demonstrate what kind of future the government had in store for the state. Isaac Regional Council has warned that 300 homes are set to be bulldozed at Glenden as Glencore winds down its involvement in the community following last coal from the nearby Newlands mine. It recently launched a ‘Save Glenden’ campaign after another twist in the long-running battle over QCoal’s bid to build a mine camp at the Byerwen operation rather than accommodating workers in the dwindling township. Resources Minister Scott Stewart has made a preliminary decision as part of the mining lease approval process that supports development of a 450-bed on-site workers’ camp. The council has previously knocked back the company’s development application for such a camp, a position supported by a recent Planning and Environment Court ruling. Related: Talks continue as demolition threat hangs over Glenden Mr Katter said it would be unconscionable for Mr Stewart to allow Glenden to be bulldozed. “We want to #saveGlenden but this issue is bigger than the loss of a small mining town,” Mr Katter said. “It's about what kind of Queensland we should be building for tomorrow, and whether there is actually a future for people outside of the south-east corner. “It seems ludicrous to me that the State Government would endorse the loss of this community at the very same time the south-east is facing a population crunch and liveability and affordability are worsening issues in places like Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan. “That’s before we even mention the housing crisis – we’ve got people sleeping tents and cars in the State’s capital, why wouldn’t we being encouraging them to head inland where there is plenty of space and work?” Mr Katter said strategic policies, such as relocation incentives and regional home buyer grants, and adequately investing in industries and services to grow and support the regions were key. He said revelations that government modelling indicated the population of south-east Queensland would surge by 50 per cent to 6 million people by 2046 only increased his alarm. In contrast, populations in rural and regional centres like Mount Isa, Ingham and Longreach are predicted to decline. Mr Stewart said this week that no decision had been made on the Byerwen matter. “I will consider submissions from stakeholders before making any decision,” he said.

‘Sliding door’ moment for future of regional towns

Industry Queensland

Related News

Sunshine reports new targets at Ravenswood Consolidated

State backs Isaac Country Universities Centres

HPI animation doing the rounds for safety

Get access to breaking mining news, now.