Workers camp on hold for planning
Dust, parking issues
AN APPLICATION for a 192bed workers camp in Mount Coolon has been put on ice as councillors push to get better conditions for the community.
Councillors discussed a development earmarked for six lots on Barclay and Mill streets, next to the Mount Coolon hotel, in the ordinary council meeting in Proserpine on Wednesday.
The proposal included 48 demountable buildings, each with four rooms and ensuites.
The site will also have a gym, theatre, laundry, mess and bar in demountable buildings.
The application documents state that unlike typical camps, the Mount Coolon site would house workers from a range of industries who are working on projects like the Carmichael Rail and Bowen Developmental Road upgrades.
As there is no reticulated water or sewerage network in the Mount Coolon township, the applicant proposed to provide water to the development through water tanks with potable water transported to the site regularly.
A private contractor would collect onsite sewage storage tanks from the site and disposed of at a council treatment plant.
However, the development will be put on hold after councillors argued problems with dust from large vehicles, parking issues and telecommunications demands from the camp would negatively impact residents.
Councillors debated the proposal for more than 40 minutes in the ordinary meeting.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said residents of the existing camp were parking their trucks in front of Mount Coolon residents’ homes and blocking their driveways.
“The people of Mount Coolon are the salt of the earth, really lovely people, and they’re supportive of development,” he said.
“But they just don’t want to be run over the top of, and that’s what’s happening at the moment.”
Division 1 councillor Jan Clifford also raised concerns about phone reception for residents, especially school-aged children.
She suggested a temporary phone tower, but council officers were unsure how this could be instated.
“If you can’t get on your phone because of a camp to ring the ambulance, to ring the flying doctor or for your kids to get educated, there’s something wrong,” Cr Clifford said.
“If we can’t sort this out then I think we’ve failed.”
Division 4 councillor Michelle Wright said while she supported the project, it was important the impact of the camp on Mount Coolon residents was properly considered.
“I’m not happy with the situation out there and a lot of residents aren’t,” she said.
Councillors unanimously agreed to put the proposal on hold until the next council meeting where they could be briefed on telecommunications, parking and further impacts.