Plan hits a great divide
A NEW state law has drawn a line in the sand between Burdekin’s two major towns.
The Palaszczuk government’s Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act will mean people living in any town within a 125km radius of a large resource project will be prioritised over their more regional neighbours. For the Burdekin shire, it will mean Home Hill residents will fall into the catchment of the Sonoma Mine while those living across the river will not.
Under the Act, large resource projects are those that have 100 or more workers and an environmental authority, and are located within a 125kilometre radius of a nearby regional community with at least 200 residents.
In February, Burdekin Shire Council had provided feedback to the Office of the Co- ordinator General regarding the matter with Burdekin Mayor Lyn McLaughlin stating the inclusion of locals from one town and the exclusion of locals from another in the same shire would be inconsistent with the intent of the legislation.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick, said following an extensive consultation pro- cess a list had been created of the 61 large resource projects and their encompassing 230 regional communities.
“Following an extensive consultation process, Queensland’s independent Co- ordinator- General has initially listed 61 large resource projects – including 43 coal, 15 mineral and three liquefied natural gas projects – and listed 230 nearby regional communities associated with these projects,” Mr Dick said. “This means any project on the list currently operating with a 100 per cent FIFO workforce now has to transition its workforce to include recruitment of workers from nearby regional communities within six months.
“From March 30, 2018, the large resource projects listed are also prohibited from discriminating against residents of nearby regional communi- ties in the future recruitment of workers. Going forward, the new social impact assessment guideline for projects will also support local and regional resource communities.
“Project owners will have to demonstrate to the Co- ordinator- General that their workforce and supply chain arrangements provide opportunities to build strong and sustainable resource communities.”