NEWS
Thursday, December 15, 2016
NEW HOLDEN COLORADO HAS ARRIVED
I’D DRIVE THAT
$1.30 inc GST
55-57 ChinChilla Street, ChinChilla • Ph: 4662 7286 ChinChilla
www.ainsworthmotors.com.au
LIVING LOCAL Origin’s plan to transition workers back into our towns - Story Page 5
Your “Local” Operator
Roma Airport
mihelicopters.com.au
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Surat Basin INSIDE: GASFIELDS COMMISSION REVIEW RELEASED - Page 6
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suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
to all! T&W Earthmoving would like to thank our clients for all the support over the last 12 months. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2017. T&W Earthmoving office will be closed over the Christmas Break from 23rd December 2016 to the 2nd January 2017. We will be running a skeleton crew in this time continuing current works.
Wishing g everyone y a Merryy Christmas & a prosperou prosperous p New Year!
T & W Earthmoving 14 Wambo St, Condamine, QLD 4416
Ph: (07) 4627 7115
Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year From Clayton, Mia & the team. Your support throughout 2016 is appreciated. CRC ElECtRiCal Condamine
Wishing everyone a happy Christmas, and New Year. Thank you to our clients for your support in 2016. From the team at Jeff Hannaford Accountants
Merry Christmas to all of our valued customers
The SURAT BASIN NEWS OFFICE will be closed from Wednesday 21st December 2016 and will re open Tuesday 3rd January, 2017 for all your advertising needs.
Phone 4662 9900
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Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Safe New Year. From the family at 6222253ab
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Thursday, December 15, 2016 suratbasin.com.au
to all! SIX MILE
Tim, Tamara, Hannah, Jonathan, Chloe & the team from
LASER PLUMBING Send Season's Greetings to all our customers and thank them for their support during 2016.
Closed Wednesday the 21st of December through to Tuesday the 10th of January.
Thank you for all your support during 2016. We look forward to seeing you all again in 2017. All the best for a great Christmas. We will be closed on public holidays only All the Team at RATHBONE ENGINEERING
The Staff at CMT Haulage wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.We look forward to seeing you all in 2017. Closed Public Holidays
Merry ChristMas to all of our valued CustoMers. We look forWard to seeing you in 2017. Closed 25th, 26th, 27th deCember & 1st, , 2nd January normal trading hours all other days.
BLACK AUTO GROUP
Keith Crawley’s wishes Everyone a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Thank you to all our clients for their support in 2016 and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Closing at 5:00pm 21st Dec and reopening at 7:30am 3rd Jan 2017
BUILDING
& CONSTRUCTION would like to wish all our customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you in 2016! Our Office will be closed from 5.00pm 23rd December and re-opening Monday 9th January
Base Camp Chinchilla
wishes to express to the local suppliers and staff our sincere appreciation for an outstanding 2016 and we wish you all a Happy Holiday Season.
Wishing you a
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas to all our valued customers Take care on the roads this Christmas
From Noel & Dawn, Steve & Sandra Budden and families
and Happy 2016!
We will be closed public holidays only, normal trading hours apply all other days. Emergency contact - (07) 4662 7038 24 hours
Surat Basin
2b Osborne St, Chinchilla 6497649ab
4
WELCOME
suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
SNAP OF THE MONTH
◗ The Durong South General Store, along the Chinchilla Wondai Road.
PHOTO: MATTHEW NEWTON
Contents
From the editor
Region has come leaps and bounds during 2016 HELLO and welcome to the final edition of Surat Basin News for 2016. Where has the year gone? It seems like only yesterday I was sitting down in the Chinchilla News and Murilla Advertiser office, typing away at my first column for the year. Yet, here we are, with the days ticking down to Christmas. In this, our December edition, you’ll find coverage of the latest in the region’s push for gas companies to transition more of their operational workforce into our communities and out of camps. Origin should be applauded for being the first cab off the rank in this respect. It’s been a long time coming for the people of Miles other towns in the region and hopefully other companies follow their lead. Further on in this edition we hash over the annual Surat Basin Population Report’s findings, which estimates the region has lost another 30% of its non-resident workforce over the course of the last year. You may (or may not) recall that in June 2014 there were 14,490 non-resident workers on shift in the Surat Basin. Fast-forward a year to June 2015 and that number had dropped two-thirds to 5,425. Now, we’re sitting at approximately 3800. You can find that story on page 7. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We’ll catch up in 2017. — Matthew Newton
IN THE NEWS
Origin pushes ahead with living local strategy .........................5 GasFields Commission revamp..................................................6 FIFO worker numbers drop.........................................................7 Historic cattle train arrives in Oakey .........................................8
Dalby hosts Broncos.................................................................20
PLACES AND FACES
Dalby stock horse sale ..............................................................9
OPINION
............................................................................................9,18-19
The newspaper The Surat Basin News publishes every month and will be delivered via the four dominant newspapers of the region: the Chinchilla News, Western Star, Dalby Herald and The Chronicle. It will reach the homes and offices of almost 50,000 people living, working and playing in the Surat Basin, connecting the business and mining communities thought the booming region. Surat Basin News is a necessity. It was born out of a passion for Australia’s fastest growing communities – a passion for a region of unbridled potential and a future of vast economic growth and opportunities. The newspaper, professionally designed and regionally topical, will be a must read for anyone associated with the exciting Surat Basin. ONLINE: Surat Basin News has gone online to ensure our readers in every corner of the country has the latest news sent directly to them. Go to: www.suratbasin.com.au. PURCHASE FROM: Newsagents in Chinchilla, Roma, Dalby, Gladstone, Moura, Toowoomba, Calliope. VISION: Surat Basin News will allow local businesses to network and communicate with everyone in the 1200 sq km basin, providing unprecedented access to new clients and markets. It will give a revealing insight into major industry while lifting the veil on current and proposed developments. It will be there for each and every announcement shaping the region’s future while profiling the colourful characters.
The team GENERAL MANAGER
Erika Brayshaw, Chinchilla
Phone 4672 9921, email manager@suratbasin.com.au ADVERTISING TEAM Bobbie Gorring, Chinchilla Phone 4672 9930, email advertise@suratbasin.com.au Greg Latta, Roma Phone 4672 9927, email Greg.latta@romawesternstarnews.com Nicole Boyd-Taylor, Dalby Phone 04672 5500, email nicole.boyd-taylor@dalbyherald.com.au EDITORIAL
Matthew Newton, Chinchilla Phone 4672 9926, email matthew.newton@chinchillanews.com.au SURAT BASIN NEWS 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 PO Box 138, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is printed by APN Print Warwick
5
IN THE NEWS
Thursday, December 15, 2016 suratbasin.com.au
Local workforce strategy
Origin leading the way on living local IT WAS Sue Krahe’s first night living in Miles when she managed to lock herself out of her new home. Up until that point Sue had been working as a Fly-In-Fly-Out worker at Origin’s Condabri facility, and was looking forward to the change from camp life. But now she was stuck, standing on the front porch and wondering what to do next. “Then along the street comes my new neighbours, and we have chat and a laugh about it,” she said. “And then another neighbour rolls up, and before you know it we’re retrieved the keys off the bench using an extendable pole with a magnet gaffer taped to one end. “It was a real MacGyver moment and a great example of the Miles community helping out.” Having worked for Origin over the past four years as a Gas Processing Facility Operator, Sue recently joined the growing number of Origin employees who head west for work and the country lifestyle. It’s a trend Origin is encouraging amongst its employees as the company, the wider community, Council and chambers of commerce all recognise changes that need to be made in the wake of the large CSG construction projects that wound down 18 months ago. The end of the boom bit hard in all towns around the Surat Basin, but in Miles especially. Miles and Districts Chamber of Commerce president John Hoffmann recalled that where once there was a lack of housing and accommodation and rents were up around the $2000/week mark, suddenly, 18 months ago, the boom ended. “It was like the light was turned off,” he said. “Suddenly there were empty houses everywhere, no rents, and the banks classified Taroom through to Chinchilla as mining towns and began refusing housing loans - all the normal stuff that seems to happen in a boom-bust collapse.” Following a pivotal late-November meeting between Origin executives, including the company’s chief executive officer of Integrated Gas David Baldwin, the Miles and Districts Chamber of Commerce, Western Downs Regional Council and Warrego MP Ann Leahy, Origin has committed to developing a phased transition plan to be implemented over the next two to three years to get more employees living in towns near their work. Origin already provides incentives for employees to live in the communities in which they work, and almost a third of their workforce live locally. Mr Hoffmann applauded the fact Origin was offering wage incentives for their workers to move to town and agreed the new transition plan was “very positive” for Miles, adding that Origin
◗ WHERE THE HEART IS: Sue Krahe, once an Origin FIFO worker, has made her home in Miles.
had also said they would accommodate their executives in local motels when visiting town for short periods. “I don’t think we’d have too many businesses here in town if they didn’t do it; I think we would see more closures,” he said. “It’ll get the economy of the town flowing again and help out all those mum-and-dad investors who invested all that money in those houses. “It’ll be a slow progressive move into town so we don’t get that boom-bust happening again. “The benefits haven’t hit us yet, but they will. Once the migration into town starts we’ll start seeing supermarkets with full shelves again and things like that... if (workers) are living in the town while they’re out here, and let’s say they buy an iced coffee or a newspaper or a lotto ticket, it all adds up.” Sue now rents a home in Miles, and when her son begins university in February she will move to Miles full-time. Having a home to go back to after the day’s work is a great change from camp life, Sue said, and she is looking forward to living and working in Miles. “I love the country town atmosphere,” Sue said. “I grew up in Tenterfield and spent ten years teaching in Winton, a small country town – and I just love the friendly, go-anywhere feeling that no matter where you go, you’ll bump into someone you know.”
PHOTO: MATTHEW NEWTON
Happy holidays from the Broadspectrum team! Thanks to Chinchilla State High, the CCCI, EconomX and every business that participated in the recent community Work Experience Strategy session. We’re looking forward to working together in 2017 to provide learning and development opportunities to even more local students.
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6
IN THE NEWS
suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
GasFields Commision ‘revamped’ AN INDEPENDENT ombudsman is to be appointed to work with Queensland landholders and gas companies on coal seam gas industry issues. State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the new land access ombudsman was a central element of a revamp of the state’s GasFields Commission and CSG dispute resolution system. Former Queensland Farmers’ Federation boss Ruth Wade will head the new-look commission, which will have a new focus after three years of operation on the gasfields. “Our multi-billion-dollar agriculture and LNG industries need to continue to co-exist in and around our regional communities,” Dr Lynham said. “The new ombudsman will give landholders a trusted and independent decision maker to resolve issues before they escalate into full blown legal disputes. “As well, a more streamlined dispute resolution will be more cost-effective and efficient. “Government will work with stakeholders, including the recently appointed President of the Land Court, to finalise legislative and regulatory changes to make this happen. “Our other reforms to the Gasfields Commission will allow it to continue the work of building sustainable coexistence, but with what is now an ongoing and mature industry.” New chair Ruth Wade has more than 25 years’ experience in agriculture and business. She will be joined by Theodore cotton farmer Fleur Anderson, a passionate advocate for rural communities and small businesses. Current commissioners Ian Hayllor and Rick Wilkinson were reappointed. Dr Lynham thanked the GasFields Commission’s outgoing chairman John Cotter and the commissioners who had worked hard to establish the Commission since its inception in 2013. The revamp follows an independent review by retired Land Court member Bob Scott, who interviewed more than 80 stakeholders including landholders, peak producer groups, industry, industry peak bodies, government agencies, local governments and community groups. The review report and the government’s response are available online at statedevelopment.qld.gov.au.
COMMISION REVAMP: ■ Reduce to one chair and three part-time commissioners ■ Improve the information that is available to landholders ■ Set up a community reference group to focus on health and wellbeing concerns for residents and their families in areas such as the Tara Estates. ■ Work with the various agencies in the CSG industry to clarify their responsibilities and how they respond to inquiries and complaints.
◗ IN THE CHAIR: Former Queensland Farmers' Federation boss Ruth Wade will head up the revamped GasFields Commission. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
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STOCK horse enthusiasts from around the country flocked to the Dalby Showgrounds for the 42nd annual Dalby Australian Stock Horse Sale recently. The sale, run by Darling Downs Branch Australian Stock Horse Society & Grant Daniel & Long, resulted in 191 horses sold for a gross of a whopping $1,634,500. Of the 117 mares offered, 93 were sold, with Lot 25 taking out the top price at $50, 000. A total of 100 geldings were up for auction with 94 sold and a top of $15,000. Four out of five stallions were sold with a top of $15,000. “It’s the biggest stock horse sale in Australia; nothing beats it,” said DDASHS president Jim Ryan. “We’ve got a very good committee which makes it wonderful; we’re very happy with the support the town has given us... we’re starting to get recognised as one of the biggest events on the books. “We could turn this into a big event for the whole town, we’d love to get more people involved to make it bigger and better...it puts a lot of money back into the community.” For more information and full results visit www.dalbystockhorsesale.com.au.
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IN THE NEWS
Thursday, December 15, 2016 suratbasin.com.au
Native title claim recognised
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AN EIGHT-and-a-half year legal battle has ended with a 2600sq km native title claim spanning from the Balonne to Toowoomba regions recognised. The Bigambul people and the affected councils, mining and energy companies agreed to settle the majority of the claim. A smaller part is of the claim is awaiting a High Court appeal. The title claim runs from St George to Inglewood, and from the NSW-Queensland border north to the Moonie River. The Federal Court action began in April 2009, but the Bigambul people had three previous native title claims dismissed or discontinued. Their first claim was in 1998. The decision maintains the “rights and interests” of the Balonne, Western Downs, Goondiwindi and Toowoomba councils as well as companies, including Telstra, Origin Energy and Australia Pacific LNG. Queensland State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said an Indigenous Land Use Agreement would have the Government share future land sale proceeds with the Bigambul people.
◗ ON THE JOB: Shaun Raus of Ezyquip Hire Toowoomba on the site of QGC's Charlie project, near Wandoan.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
28-46 Murilla Street, Miles QLD 4415
Report reveals state of play in Surat Basin Wandoan’s sizeable non-resident population was mainly due to nearby construction activity for Queensland Gas Company (QGC’s) “Charlie” gas expansion project. Chinchilla also had a notable non-resident population of 445. 93% of non-resident workers in the Surat Basin stayed in worker accommodation villages (WAVs) while on-shift in June 2016. Relatively few - 280 persons or 7% of the total - occupied other forms of accommodation, including hotels/motels and caravan parks. Demand for WAV accommodation in the Surat Basin declined in 2015–16, as non-resident construction workforces tapered off in size. The number of WAVs in the region fell from 61 in June 2015 to 46 in June 2016, due mainly to closures of smaller construction establishments sited in rural areas. The proportion of hotel/motel rooms in the Surat Basin that were vacant and available increased from 54% in June 2015 to 61% in June 2016.
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Surat Basin Population Report 2016
A STATE government report has found the region’s non-resident worker population fell by 30% over the year to June 2016. Last year, the State Government’s Surat Basin population report estimated the Surat Basin’s non-resident population to be 5,425. That figure now sits at around 3,820 workers. Western Downs had the largest non-resident population of all Local Government Areas in the Surat Basin (2,455 persons, representing 64% of the regional total). Maranoa (1,280 persons or 33%) and Toowoomba (85 persons or 2%) made up the balance. The report found numbers of non–resident workers on-shift fell in 2015–16 as construction of LNG projects neared completion, and as the focus of activity moved towards expansion of gas field capacity and consolidating upstream production to ensure continuity of gas supply. At the time of the survey, Wandoan had the largest non-resident population of all towns in the Surat Basin with 605 people.
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8
IN THE NEWS
suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
On the moo-oove!
Historic moment at Oakey abbatoir FOR the first time in two decades, a cattle train has taken stock to the Oakey beef abattoir from Quilpie. The Western rail line has hardly been used for seven years and even before that, the options for producers were limited to just two Ipswich-based meatworks. Quilpie Shire Council Mayor Stuart Mackenzie said the expansion of the service was a huge vote of confidence in the region. “From a confidence point of view, we rarely see a service that’s discontinued get restarted in the bush,” Cr Mackenzie said. “To see this rejuvenated when it hasn’t been operated for seven to eight years is huge.” On Tuesday, carriages carrying 880 bullocks and cows from Quilpie thundered directly into a new market player: Oakey Beef Exports. Taking cattle off the roads and onto rail is expected to open up the far western Queensland beef market – a win for graziers who can more easily and cheaply get their cattle to slaughter as well as for the Japanese owners of the meatworks who can process more animals for both the domestic and booming Asian market.
◗ FRESH OFF THE TRAIN: Cattle from western Queensland are delivered by train to Oakey Beef Exports abattoir for the first time in 23 years on November 30. PHOTO: KEVIN FARMER
They’re also looking to invest $60 million dollars into an upgrade of the abattoir, something they can only justify with additional access to stock. The expansion is expected to double the plant's workforce and almost triple its capacity to process cattle. State Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne and NH Foods CEO Takeo Kudo joined south-west mayors and Mr Gleeson for the arrival of the train in Oakey. State Government funding in April upgraded the rail sidings at Quilpie, Morven and Oakey so trains could dock to take on cattle. For Cr Mackenzie, the train trip is the start of something bigger:
“There’s no reason why we can’t see freight back on our rail,” he said, talking about the transport of the basics – the post, milk, bread and so on. Cr Mazkenzie hoped for a resolution to the endangered passenger system on the rail line. If you have one working railway service, he said, it made it much easier to justify investing the money to resolve another. At the moment just a few thousand people buy passenger tickets on the Westlander every year, and the number is declining. But for now, Cr Mackenzie is positive. “It’s looking very good for the next few years,” he said.
REGISTER YOUR BUSINESS TODAY! At Origin we’re improving our Regional Buy Program across the Maranoa, Banana and Western Downs local government areas through our Regional Buy Portal – a simple online tool that enables local businesses to connect with Origin. The portal provides you with: •
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Thursday, December 15, 2016 suratbasin.com.au
9
OPINION / PLACES AND FACES
◗ DALBY CAMPDRAFT: Julie Barram with Michelle and Adelyn Fahey at the Dalby Showgrounds on Friday.
◗ DALBY CAMPDRAFT: Brigid Prow, Bec Dunlop and Jean Prow at the Dalby Showgrounds on Friday.
◗ STOCKHORSE SALE: Kate, Darren and Hannah Batts from Blackall at the 42nd annual Dalby Stockhorse Sale on Saturday.
◗ STOCKHORSE SALE: Charles Wright from Hellidon and Brian O'Sullivan from Laidley at the 42nd annual Dalby Stockhorse Sale on Saturday.
PHOTOS: JESSICA BAHR
◗ A FAMILY AFFAIR: Goff, Godfrey, Sam and Shannie Morgan at the 42nd annual Dalby Stockhorse Sale on Saturday.
Upgrades around the region improving road safety PAT WEIR
Member for Condamine
AS WE approach the silly season, our plans to visit and celebrate Christmas with our families and friends means we are likely to be travelling on roads around the region and beyond. Recent reports of road accidents and fatalities, especially people we know, hit home very hard and at this time of the year it is important to remain vigilant behind the wheel so you and your family make it to Christmas Lunch. Roads in the region are improving. The Warrego Highway is the main link from our Western area to the East Coast. We have seen a major upgrade at the Charlton intersection on the Warrego Highway which was a hot spot for accidents and traffic
is now flowing freely and smoothly in this area. By August 2017, we will see an additional eight overtaking lanes installed on the Warrego Highway between Dalby and Oakey which will allow more opportunities to pass slow vehicles and heavy transport vehicles. An upgrade to a four lane highway is planned between Charlton and Kingsthorpe which is a stretch of road in very poor condition. Charlton to Zimm’s Corner currently limits speed to 90km per hour to ensure motorists are driving at a speed suitable to minimise the risk of accident on such a poor quality road. An upgrade there is long overdue and will be a welcome improvement for motorists and freight carriers who travel this road often. Dalby has recently seen an increase in the flow of traffic causing motorists to sit through several changes of lights at some intersections. The proposed plans to upgrade sections of
the Warrego Highway at both the Eastern and Western ends of Dalby will improve the flow of traffic through town. The new installation of lights will allow motorists to turn onto the highway safely rather than playing dodge with an increasing flow of vehicles and trucks. Road accidents will continue to occur due to factors beyond the condition of our roads including fatigue, driver error, speeding, mobile phone distraction and drugged and drink driving. I urge all motorists to Stop, Rest and Revive while driving this Christmas. Appoint a sober chauffeur and stick to the speed limits. Pay attention to other drivers, put down your mobile phone and make sure you and your family arrive safely at your destination for Christmas Day. I would like to wish everyone a safe and merry Christmas for 2016. I hope the New Year is prosperous for the region and I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents in 2017.
If powerlines come down, warn everyone about it. You can be prepared for summer by knowing what to do if powerlines come down in a storm. Just remember three things: • Assume all fallen powerlines are live • Stay well away and warn others • Call Triple Zero (000) immediately. It’s just one of the ways we can all be thinking forward.
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Thinking Forward
10
OPINION
suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
GAB is not the ‘Magic Pudding’ Lee McNicholl Basin Sustainability Alliance Chairman
MANY primary producers rely on water from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) for their livestock and domestic water supplies. Many residents of Western Queensland towns also rely on water from the GAB for their house and garden supplies. However, the future of this iconic Basin, which is one of the world’s largest underground water resources, is under threat. In spite of more than $300 million of taxpayers and landholders money being spent on the capping and piping of free flowing bores – the GAB is still in decline. The Federal Government’s Independent Expert Scientific
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Committee indicates the GAB is not in a “steady state” and is a declining resource. Locally in the Surat sub-basin, the CSG industry will drain a further 65,000ML annually for the next 50 years, effectively doubling the existing take of all other GAB users. The resource sector has the unsustainable privilege of “unlimited” take while all other users are regulated in some form. The Basin Sustainability Alliance (BSA) strongly disagrees with this position. The Queensland Government is about to release a new “draft Water Plan” – supposedly for the future sustainable management of the GAB. It will be fascinating to see how the Government can conjure a sustainable plan while allowing “unlimited take” by the resource sector, following the Queensland Government passing legislation to extend “statutory underground water rights” to all miners. These new laws come into play on December 6. It is clear that the Palasczcuk
AS I reflect on 2016 I suspect it really depends on what part of the economy you are in to know whether it has been a good, bad or indifferent year. On the face of it, it has been a tough year for many in as the general economy is sluggish, not helped in our region a result of a reduction in expenditure from the gas industry as the low oil price continues to place pressure on the ability to spend. For our farming sector, it is a bit of a mixed bag. Cattle prices have been at record highs (which is great provided you don’t have to buy back into the market), commodity prices for grain are a little depressed, cotton growers have seen an improving market over the past 12 months, and pulses continue to stay strong. The early signs for 2017 show a bit of promise. As we know, export contracts mean that all of the gas companies need to continue to develop fields and the majors all expect more activity in 2017. Indeed, we have seen more opportunities and packages over the past month or two and we are getting a better feel for what the “operations” phase of the industry looks like. Most companies in the supply chain have now “right sized” themselves for this new era. On top of this as we have spoken about previously there is a lot of interest in the renewables sector and I suspect you will continue to see more and more announcements over the coming year. This will present some really good opportunities as we encourage these new projects in the region to use our fantastically qualified and skilled contractors. We also have to remember that our region has a freight capability that is unparalleled anywhere in regional Australia with our strength in road, air and rail. We are at a huge advantage and really need to capitalise now before everyone else catches up. The recent weekly jumbo service from Wellcamp Airport to Hong Kong is just the start of these opportunities. I still sense an air of optimism and excitement in the region. I cannot think of another region in the country that has what we have to offer and as such, there is nowhere else I’d rather be. Bring on 2017!
Government like previous Queensland Governments, has the firm belief that the GAB is akin to Norman Lindsay’s “magic pudding” and that unlimited take from it’s aquifers can occur with endless instant replenishment. From Hansard’s record of the debate on this legislation, it is also clear the LNP Opposition suffer from the same delusion and have no understanding of ecologically sustainable development principles - they still firmly believe that the “magic pudding will provide” and that you can just keep taking water out of the system if there is an ongoing demand from development proponents – this is very scary thinking indeed! Out of real concerns for future generations water security, the BSA is considering establishing the “Friends of the GAB Foundation” to educate the public and politicians in how to see through and reject unsustainable development proposals by future “water thieves”.
ABCC is an attack on Australian workers DAN MCGAW
ETU South West Queensland State Organiser
THE recent ABCC legislation that was passed in parliament is nothing but a fundamental attack on Australian workers. The big business driven legislation will leave construction workers with less rights than a paedophile or ice dealer simply because of the industry they work in. The changes to the legislation will make an already risky industry even more dangerous with the legislation making it illegal to have health and safety clauses in workplace agreements. The legislation will go even further by, increasing the level of casual workers, drastically reducing apprentices on sites, allowing employers to use 457 visa workers over Australian workers and removing the legal right for silence and representation if investigated. Malcolm Turnbull is the latest in a long line of Liberal Prime Ministers who have been determined to drive ideological attacks on working people at the behest of their backers in big business. The legislation will not investigate the spiralling amount of deaths in the industry, rather attacking workers and their unions. To date there has been over 150 Australians killed at work! Let’s address this alarming statistic first. The legislation does nothing to curb this number. The ETU and other unions will continue to fight for our membership and ensure they work in safe industries. John Howard introduced similar legislation and it was rejected massively by the Australian public through the Your Rights at Work campaign, and the same can be done with Turnbull and co. Rather than attacking unions, why isn’t the focus on ensuring the workers that build this country go home safely?
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OPINION
suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
A year of wins for region electorates from 89 to 93. It is hoped that this will help to reduce the impact of the forthcoming redistribution (ie increase the size) on the five large Electorates, of which Warrego is one.
ANN LEAHY
Vegetation Management
Member for Warrego
WELCOME to the last edition of the Surat Basin News for 2016. It is probably time to reflect on some of the events and achievements of 2016.
Roma Hospital
The year started with an announcement of the Roma Hospital rebuild. This project was identified by the LNP when in Government, we commenced the project and will ensure the completion of this project.
Four year terms, increased seats
The LNP with bi-partisan support, introduced the proposal for fixed Four Year Terms that was successful at a state referendum. Next term will be an adjustment term and will not be a full four years, however the following term will be a full four year fixed term. The LNP was also successful in increasing the number of
The long and arduous fight against the worst ever Vegetation Laws proceeded to dominate regional Queensland for much of the year. The LNP is a strong supporter of property rights and why we fought day in, day out with the industry bodies to defeat this legislation on the floor of State Parliament.
Concealable firearms
I have been outraged by the State Labor Government’s refusal to grant further category H weapons (pistols) licences for agricultural purposes, as this has been a long term accepted and permitted use. Pistols are an essential tool of trade for many producers for the humane destruction of injured and maimed livestock.
Teacher Accommodation
I have been successful in helping address the accommodation concerns of teachers across the Electorate with
the State Government. For our communities to attract and retain well qualified staff, the accommodation needs to be equivalent to that of metropolitan areas. I’m pleased to report that a number of teachers houses have air conditioning installed.
Statutory Valuations
I have been successful in ensuring that the State Government includes the Maranoa Regional Council in the statutory re valuations program. This will help to address, in the future, the unfair land tax burden on industrial and commercial landholders, at a time when the resources industry peak construction activity has finished. This needs to be a genuine statutory re valuation to address the relativity issues, particularly in the Industrial and Commercial areas of Roma and I will be keep a watching brief on this matter. It has been a pleasure throughout 2016 to provide information about the Electorate and Parliamentary events through the Surat Basin News. Best wishes for the forthcoming Festive Season. Until next edition in 2017.
Community would benefit from gas workers living in nearby towns TYSON GOLDER Maranoa Regional Council Mayor
WELL, time has certainly flown this year! December is here and we are copping some serious summer temperatures right across Queensland. The year 2016 has been a busy one for Maranoa Regional Council with the completion of a number of key projects to celebrate. One such project included the finalisation of the Injune Sustainable Water Resource Project, which provides residents with consistent and reliable water. The year also brought to us some notable visitors, including
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove and Lady Cosgrove who visited Mitchell and Roma. Another visitor was 2016 Olympic Gold medalist, Emilee Cherry, who came back to her home-town of Roma where she received a key to the city and led a skills development session, to the delight of all participants. A big focus for the Maranoa community in 2017 is that we need to concentrate on more jobs. I believe that giving workers the option to live in the town they work near either in rental accommodation, local motels or even buying a house would benefit the whole community. Wouldn’t it be great to see these workers joining local sporting clubs? Local bus companies could be contracted to transport workers to and from the worksite which would manage worker fatigue. Gas companies have been doing some
work on this already, but as the local industry is so much smaller than a number of years ago, the community would really benefit from having the majority of workers living locally in our towns. Other positive effects of workers living in town would include a long term gentle boost to the rental and real estate market in general. Many of the rental houses in the Maranoa are owned by locals and this brings money back into the region. Local service suppliers, restaurants and traders would no doubt see a benefit as well. On behalf of my fellow Councillors, our Chief Executive Officer and staff at Maranoa Regional Council I would like to wish everybody in our great region a happy, healthy and peaceful festive time and a wonderful 2017 to follow.
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Region on the rise thanks to investment
IAN MCFARLANE
The natural resources sector plays a vital role to the region’s economy.
report found the sector contributed $1.6 billion to Groom and supported close to 8,000 jobs – in total the statewide contribution was $55.7 billion. The opportunities are extensive, and the QRC is committed to ensuring the investment from the industry continues and local people can find work within the resource sector and its accompanying industries. This includes the small businesses in the town which benefit from spending and wages from the sector. To date, the resource sector has brought a significant number of jobs and increased prosperity to the region and I’m committed to ensuring the region is front and centre for new projects which will strengthen the local economy and lift the prosperity of surrounding industries. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas.
THE Western Downs is on the up-and-up as our region continues to ride high on its third wave of energy development proudly holding claim to being the Energy Capital of Queensland with three large-scale solar projects approved by Council in the last 12 months and more development opportunities waiting in the wings. Our regions' wide open spaces, plenty of Queensland sunshine, and our connectivity to existing power infrastructure thanks to the $60 billion investment by the CSG sector during its boom period, places the Western Downs in the prime position to welcome and facilitate the growing thirst for renewable energy. This extensive electricity infrastructure network in place today is the positive legacy of the gas industry now enabling solar farms to connect and send power generated from the Western Downs to areas along the east coast of Australia. I'm especially proud that our region is a part of and leading the renewable energy solution. We're not letting up with our Live Local campaign and will continue to meet regularly with CSG Industry leaders as we work towards establishing and achieving meaningful live local targets that benefit existing FIFO workers and our local communities. We not only want to see our locals employed in these infrastructure projects, but we want to see FIFO workers enjoy the benefits of living locally in our towns and contributing to our social, cultural, and economic vibrancy. On that note, the year ahead will see some exciting local events come to life across our region with the Chinchilla Melon Fest kicking off what will be a great year of major festivals across the Western Downs. So, don't miss the biggest and craziest melon festival on the planet, save Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 February 2017 into your calendars for an unforgettable weekend. While you're in town, why not extend your Melon Fest adventure by exploring the great things to see and do in and around Chinchilla, our friendly Visitor Information Centre volunteers are an excellent source of information and ready to help you plan your stay!
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FOR too long, those who live in rural areas have had to stand on one foot in the back paddock trying to pick up a mobile phone signal that’s why the Coalition Federal Government is investing to address black spots. Last week Round 2 of the Coalition’s Mobile Black Spots Program was outlined and I announced that 19 new or upgraded towers will be rolled out in Maranoa to increase connectivity across my electorate. Maranoa covers about 42% of Queensland so mobile phone coverage is more than just communication for rural and remote communities. Breaks in our communications hinder emergency services, tourism and business – that’s why this program is so important for Maranoa and why I’ve been advocating so hard on this issue. Rural communication was forgotten by the former Labor Government as they didn’t even invest $1 to address mobile phone black spots or help to build a single tower so I’m proud to be delivering better mobile coverage to Maranoa as this was a key election issue. These 19 black spots are being targeted as a direct result of community consultation and our advocacy for better communications infrastructure in Maranoa.
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I AM thrilled to take on the role of Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council, and I’m looking forward about many of the things I’ll be working on in the near future. Over the past 18 years I served as the Federal Member in the seat of Groom and know the Surat Basin and its people well. It’s an area rich in a number of natural resources, including thermal coal, coal seam gas, oil and natural gases. The region is a significant energy hub for not only Queensland but also Australia. The natural resources sector plays a vital role to the region’s economy. This month we released our economic contribution data for the federal seats across Queensland and the independent
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OPINION
Thursday, December 15, 2016 suratbasin.com.au
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IN THE NEWS
View the last edition The latest news online online Read our last issue at www.suratbasin.com.au
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suratbasin.com.au Thursday, December 15, 2016
Surat Basin News Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla, Q 4413 Printed by APN Print Warwick General manager: Erika Brayshaw
Arrow Energy Brisbane Broncos Fan Day
Broncos turn up the heat in Dalby THE recent heatwave didn’t slow down Broncos fans, with more than 1100 attendees sweating it out at the annual Arrow Energy Brisbane Broncos Fan Day. At the event, 46 Broncos players, ex-players and development staff took to the field at Dalby Leagues Club for photos, autographs and a juniors’ clinic. “It’s good for the town for Arrow to put on something like this, I was never lucky enough to do something like that growing up,” said local legend Andrew McCullough. “Even though it’s hot it’s always good to come out, there’s always plenty of kids running around and they love meeting the players...it was raining last year and sunny this year and either way they’re out in numbers. “I always enjoyed my sport and playing out here, the club always supported me so it’s great to be able to give back a bit.” For other team-mates, like new recruit Benji Marshall, it was their first visit to Dalby. "I heard about the fan base out here but didn’t realise just how big it was,” he said. Broncos ambassadors Jharal Yow Yeh, Lote Tuqiri and Justin Hodges also attended the day, along with Arrow’s community partners Dalby PCYC, Endeavour Foundation and Lifeflight. "This is the first Arrow Energy fan day I’ve been to in Dalby and it hasn’t disappointed – it’s great to get out to regional towns with the team and see the loyal supporters," Lote Tuqiri said. "It’s been a great turn out today with fans of all ages – I took to the field with the young kids for a footy clinic and to see the smiles on their faces is what it’s all about." Arrow Energy Vice President External Relations and Tenure Management Leisa Elder said Arrow had partnered with the Broncos since 2012. The day in early December was the fifth annual fan day held in the Surat Basin, hosted by Arrow Energy, the official energy partner of the Brisbane Broncos. ◗ FAN DAY FUN: Braith and Trey Gamberini meet Broncos players Todd Murphy, James Roberts and Keegan Hipgrave (right) and team ambassador Jharal Yow Yeh at the Broncos Fan Day. PHOTO: JESSICA BAHR
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