Ayr gets line on map moved to boost jobs hopes

AYR residents will be eligible to apply for jobs reserved for locals on a new open- cut coal mine after the town was reclassified as a “nearby regional community” for the project.

The State Government yesterday confirmed Ayr would be considered a nearby community for the Sonoma Mine under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017.

Under the Act, towns of 200 people or more are considered a “nearby regional community” if they’re within 125km of a large resource project, but Ayr was 1.2km outside that limit.

State Development, Manufacturing Infrastructure and Planning Minister Cameron Dick said the state’s independent Co- ordinator- General used discretionary powers to extend the consideration to Ayr.

“For the Sonoma Mine, Home Hill is just within that 125km limit but the adjacent community Ayr sits just 1.2km outside it,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk Government foresaw cases like this arising and gave the Co- ordinatorGeneral powers to make these discretionary decisions. This is great news for this community as their inclusion ensures that residents have access to fair job opportunities.”

The Act gives communities classified as “nearby” greater job opportunities as it prohibits projects from using 100 per cent FIFO for operational workforce.