Sbn december 2015 by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd

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NEWS

Surat Basin

CAR OF THE

SURAT BASIN NEWS

THE NEWSPAPER

EDITOR'S

NOTE

HERE goes another year in the proverbial flash and no one would deny this has been a tough one for most involved in the Surat Basin, with the downturn being quite stark for some. Some might argue this was always going to happen once the infrastructure for the three big gas export giants was in place but the sheer speed of the drop off caught many off-guard. As stated by one motelier in the Fly In Fly Out inquiry in Dalby earlier this year “all the workers went away last Christmas and they never came back in the new year”. That drop off has left businesses and infrastructure (like Roma Airport, see page 4) well short on capacity. But there are plenty of tourism opportunities and we look at our top five attractions on pages 16-17. There are also green shoots in industry such as the two-year multi-billion QGC Charlie project. The Wilkie Creek coalmine should re-open also in 2016 with progress on Acland Stage 3. The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and Warrego Highway upgrades with provide employment opportunities – and of course, great infrastructure.

CORRECTION Contrary to what we said on Page 10 of last month’s Surat Basin News, Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones is not a cousin of Alan Jones.

Snap of the month

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 throughout 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, Detail of military exhibit in Cobb and Co museum, Toowoomba. Photo Derek Barry professionally designed and regionally topical, will be a must read for anyone associated with the exciting Surat Basin. while lifting the veil on current and proposed developments. It will be there for each and every announcement shaping the region's future while Surat Basin News has gone online to profiling the colourful characters that ensure our readers in every corner of the define our communities. GENERAL MANAGER country has the latest news sent directly to them. Erika Brayshaw

THE

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The Surat Basin News is inserted into the four dominant local newspapers for the region: the Chinchilla News and Murilla Advertiser, Western Star Roma, Dalby Herald and The Chronicle Toowoomba.

View our previous editions on www.suratbasin.com.au

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THE 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

THE

IN THE NEWS

Greg Latta Chinchilla 07 4672 9927 greg.latta@chinchillanews.com.au

Claire Morris Roma 07 4578 4105 Claire.morris@westernstarnews.com.au Nicole Boyd-Taylor Dalby 07 4672 5500 nicole.boyd-taylor@dalbyherald.com.au

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. ....3 Roma Airport..............................................4 Origin news .................................................5 OPINIONS Shell/BG Group merger ............................6 ................................................................22-24 Senex news..................................................7 Wellcamp Airport ......................................8 Roma Saleyards new washdown.............9 PLACES AND FACES Gravel Road...............................................10 Dalby Chamber Christmas drinks ........25 TSBE December function .......................26 DOWN TO BUSINESS TSBE news.................................................27 Weed wise..................................................11 Condamine Fish Ladder..........................28

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INDEX

Chinchilla 07 46729921 manager@suratbasin.com.au

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Derek Barry Dalby 07 4672 5500 Derek.barry@suratbasin.com.au

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The Surat Basin News is published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413 The Surat Basin News is printed by APN Print Warwick

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IN THE NEWS

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss after pressing the on button on the auger at the Toowoomba Second Range Ian Macfarlane and Warren Truss has a look at artist impressions of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. Photos Crossing sod turning ceremony, Monday, December 7. Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Toowoomba Second Range Crossing

No Turnbull but deputy PM turns sod Prime Minister snubs Nexus ceremony over Ian Macfarlane row but a historic moment for the region regardless

construction will begin,” he said. "This is the biggest single project in regional Queensland's history. "We are not letting the dust settle and what we are going to see here is a massive injection of jobs, 1800 over the life of this project at a time when employment in the gas sector here is shifting away," he said. "This project will soak up jobs right across this region." Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane said the

"This is a project that will benefit the Toowoomba community for perhaps 100 years." Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio said he was proud of the commencement of early works but disappointed in Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's absence. Mr Turnbull was planned to attend the sod-turning as well as a charity breakfast at the Empire Theatre. Mr Antonio said he wanted the PM to make

This is a project that will benefit the Toowoomba community for perhaps 100 years. Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss bypass would change "not only the streetscape of Toowoomba but the economy of Toowoomba". "The culmination of promises made by me for the past 17 years that this range crossing would be built has been delivered today," he said.

good on today's no-show and line up a future visit. "We were hoping the Prime Minister would come to town because he's a popular figure at the moment, and we would have liked the opportunity to speak to the leader of this nation," he said.

"He would have added a lot to today's ceremony. We'll be issuing an invitation for him to come back in the future." "This area is ready to produce food for the world. We need infrastructure to give us the competitive edge, this is the second leg to the trifecta." He said the Inland Rail would be the final piece of the trifecta for the area, to compliment the Wellcamp Airport and now, the Second Range Crossing. Minister for Main Roads Mark Bailey joined the sod turning ceremony on behalf of the Palaszczuk Government. "There is no doubt this project will save lives," he said. He said fewer injuries, accidents and fatalities would happen in Toowoomba with the removal of heavy vehicles. Once construction of the three-year project is complete, heavy vehicles will be able to avoid 18 sets of traffic lights, saving up to 40 minutes each way. Major construction works by Nexus are expected to start in April 2016. The Toowoomba Second Range Crossing is expected to open in late 2018. 5942152ac

exus Infrastructure welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to the Warrego Hwy site to start up the drill and turn the sod on the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing last week. Construction of the $1.6 billion three-year bypass will mean heavy vehicles are able to avoid 18 sets of traffic lights in Toowoomba, saving up to 40 minutes each trip. Mr Truss said it was a great pleasure to be there wearing a hard hat, as it meant work was happening. "That one of the streets in a city of this size has been used as a major transport route is clearly an unsatisfactory situation from a social and economic perspective," Mr Truss said. Mr Truss pushed the starter button on the drill as the first sod was turned. He said it would be inevitable that the use of earthmoving equipment would cause some headaches to neighbours during construction. "The Second Range Crossing has been talked about for years, for decades. I'm delighted it's finally coming to the stage where

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PAGE 3

IN THE NEWS

Time to act on rural telecoms, says Somerset

Roma Airport on the Wednesday before Christmas 2012 on a day when it was the seventh busiest airport by volume in Australia.

Downturn affects transport numbers

Roma Airport traffic well down on 2013 Passenger numbers just a third of what they were 18 months ago

HE Brisbane to Roma air route is regulated by the Queensland government but not subsidised, a situation that is now causing headaches to carrier Qantaslink who won the exclusive contract last year to provide services to the region for the next five years. Qantaslink’s head of regional development Elsa Dalessio told a Roma consultative forum that the peak year for the Brisbane-Roma service was 2013 but the decline over the past two years has been stark. In the month of June 2014 there were 24,000 passengers, equating to 288,000 passengers a year. By January 2015, Ms Dalessio said there had been “a rapid decline” to January 2015 with just 15,000 passengers, averaged out at 186,000 a year. By July 2015, those monthly numbers had gone down further to 12,600 passengers (151,000 a year) though Ms Dalessio hoped the decline had “stablised” in August to 10,400 (124,800 a year). Yet the numbers keep dropping. In October that monthly figure had gone down to 9600 and in November there were just 8600 passengers. “The market forecast for 2016 is circa (the late 2015 figures) but passenger numbers won’t stabilise until post LNG,” Ms Dalessio said.

PAGE 4

months ago when we made the submission on this route – which is not subsidised. “It must remain economically viable.” Ms Dalessio also brushed off recent concerns from Maranoa Mayor Rob Loughnan that resident fares were increasingly difficult to get. Qantaslink’s head of regional She said resident fares were only available to people who lived in the area and purchased development Elsa Dalessio them through local travel operators and these fares were not available on the internet “Further rationalisation (of services) may be or to the wider public. required.”Ms Dalessio showed a graph to the “But not all our resident fare inventory is sold,” she said. forum which superimposed the numbers of She also said there were many seats the Brisbane-Roma route with the available to the wider public at cheap rates Brisbane-Gladstone which showed startling with red e-deals starting at $135 (the same similarities with the speed of the decline. She said Qantaslink had invested a great deal price as the local residents’ fare) and even in the Roma route since it introduced Dash-8 cheaper fares offered through local newspapers and radio advertising. Q400s in July 2012 bringing the flying time Similar she defended the maximum fare down from 90 to 70 minutes. “There were over 60 flights a week with 8762 (around $443) as comparing favourably to other routes of similar mileage as seats at around 455,000 capacity a year,” she Brisbane-Roma, such as Brisbane-Gladstone said. and Sydney-Albury. “Our key Roma services were on peak days for FIFO rotation.” Now they are back to 28 flights a week with SEE STORY around 2000 seats available with a seat load factor (SLF) rate of 56% which Ms Dalessio warned was still too low. Condamine Fish Ladder “We need to get into the mid 70s,” she said. “The situation now is very different 12 .

There were over 60 flights a week with 8762 seats at around 455,000 capacity a year

OUTH Burnett beef farmer Georgie Somerset is on a mission to start a nationwide rural and regional conversation: she wants people to talk about telecommunications. Ms Somerset is well qualified to talk on the subject as a member of the 2015 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee and her life combines cattle yards and board rooms, boarding school parenting and committee chairing, and long drives for short meetings. Ms Somerset was in Dalby last week as a guest of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry to talk about the review and she said the discussion of the industry was too heavily focussed on urban needs and rural populations needed to be up more about their telecommunications experiences. She said the Committee’s report was tabled in parliament on October 22 and she supported the report’s 12 recommendations which encouraged the government to respond to the diverse needs of regional Australia around mobile coverage, NBN rollout, infrastructure investment and consumer safeguards. “The demand for mobility and mobile data is one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in the last three years,” she said. Ms Somerset said the increasing demand for data and the NBN rollout were leading to the rapidly declining relevance of the Universal Service Obligation. “We need a new Consumer Communication Standard for voice and data,” she said. “Telecommunications is an election issue, and we need our demands at the forefront.”

Page 28

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

Georgie Somerset spoke about telecommunications to the Dalby chamber last week.

IN THE NEWS

COAG to look at access laws

APLNG’s plant at Curtis Island is set to export its first gas to Asia by year end.

APLNG all set to deliver First gas to Asia will leave Curtis Island before year end David Baldwin said with first LNG production Australia Pacific LNG has now achieved its last major milestone prior to exporting LNG to customers in Asia. “The Origin-operated upstream activities which deliver gas to Curtis Island are fully operational and performing well, and Origin, together with partners ConocoPhillips and Sinopec, are now focused on achieving first export,” Mr Baldwin said. “More than seven years of activity, 15,000 workers, as well as the support of many landowners in the Surat and Bowen basins, have helped Australia Pacific LNG reach this important point in its history.” This marks the final milestone for the LNG facility prior to Australia Pacific LNG exporting its first LNG by the end of the year. Page Maxson, Australia Pacific LNG CEO

said the production of first LNG marked a successful commissioning and start-up phase of the LNG facility by downstream operator ConocoPhillips and contractor Bechtel. “As we continue to cool down the facility and produce LNG, we are well placed to export our first LNG cargo in coming weeks,” Mr Maxson said. Australia Pacific LNG produces natural gas from Australia’s largest 2P CSG reserves base located in the Surat and Bowen basins in Queensland, which is piped to its LNG facility on Curtis Island where it is converted to LNG for export to customers in Asia. All gas wells required to supply the first LNG train are ready for production and supporting infrastructure are complete.

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Origin Energy remains on target to be the third gas giant exporting from Gladstone before the end of the year. Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chair Shane Charles told the TSBE December enterprise evening that Origin would join Santos and QCG as exporters from Gladstone with the first shipment due to leave around Christmas. Origin would not be quite so specific but they did tell Surat Basin News that it has confirmed its downstream operator ConocoPhillips has advised Australia Pacific LNG has commenced production of liquefied natural gas at its Curtis Island facility. That means that Australia Pacific LNG remains on track to export its first cargo by the end of the year. Origin Chief Executive Officer Integrated Gas

HE question of whether farmers should get the right to say no to coal seam gas companies will be mulled over by mining ministers before the end of the year. Deputy PM Warren Truss ruled out changes on the issue but Resources Minister Josh Frydenberg pledged to take it up. The Coalition's current policy, Mr Truss's spokesman said this week, was still the same as at the 2013 Federal Election. Namely, the government supports farmers having the right to refuse gas companies access, but will not take any action because it is governed by state laws. But Mr Frydenberg told ABC he would put the issue on the agenda for the COAG Energy Council meeting, expected in December. He said the meeting would consider how to "share best practice" and "outline key principles". While several NSW Nationals MPs have backed the idea, the National, Liberal and Labor parties opposed a Greens bill to make it a reality earlier this year. That bill was voted down by a Senate committee inquiry, repeating the difficulties negotiating state-based rights over mineral resources. While Queensland and NSW have land access agreements recommended to guide talks between landowners and gas companies, many farmers have hit out at an imbalance resulting from the resources sector's greater funds and access to legal advisors and technical experts. Mr Frydenberg said he wanted landholders and CSG firms to come to agreements, but there was also a need to protect prime agricultural land and water.

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PAGE 5

IN THE NEWS

New Hope welcomes CCC decision

BG Group's QGC have extensive works across Queensland, including this field compressor station at their Windibri site.

FIRB gives deal the okay Shell’s takeover of BG Group passes another regulatory hurdle

ORKERS on QCLNG are just a handful of approvals away from a new boss. Current owners BG Group has confirmed the Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison has approved the recommended $70 billion cash and share offer for the company made by Royal Dutch Shell. In a statement Mr Morrison said he had approved the subject to the condition that Shell provides an ongoing commitment to engage with the Australian Taxation Office in “a transparent manner regarding its tax affairs in relation to acquisition of BG and

integration of BG into Shell's operations.” This is understood to be a reference to the government’s push to clamp down on profit shifting and tax avoidance by multinationals. The tick from the Foreign Investment Review Board is the fourth regulatory clearance out of five needed for the sale and then the transaction must be supported by both groups of shareholders. This follows the unconditional approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on November 19 and clearances from Brazil and European Union. The last clearance must come from China's

Ministry of Commerce. At the end of November BG Group were handed the keys to QCLNG from Bechtel with Train 2 going into its operational phase. The company was already running Train 1 and secured 100% control of the site when they grabbed Train 2. Royal Dutch Shell is an equal owner of Arrow Energy with PetroChina and has invested in coal seam gas in the Surat and Bowen basins. Arrow Energy had plans on building a fourth LNG plant in Gladstone but the project was taken off the table in January.

CLAND mine owners New Hope Group has welcomed the Crime and Corruption Commission finding over the Lock the Gate complaint political donations influenced the Queensland government decision to approve the Acland Stage 3 mine expansion and its Colton Coal mine project. The CCC has determined it will not investigate the matter. Managing Director of New Hope, Shane Stephen said Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General approved the Acland coal mine continuation plan following extensive revision of the original proposal, which resulted in a substantial reduction of the operation’s footprint and impacts. “Since the initial application for the project in 2007 and prior to the release of the Coordinator-General’s approval in December 2014, the project has been through two EIS processes, two additional information and response to submissions periods, and four public comment opportunities,” he said. “The Coordinator-General imposed 137 conditions on the project and the New Hope Group has made 890 commitments. “The project has also been through the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. “This type of scrutiny is exceptional for such a project in Queensland – and possibly in Australia.”

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IN THE NEWS

Senex optimistic on Surat Gas company CEO tells quarterly briefing the Roma fields puts them in a good position

AS company Senex say they are still on target to develop their gasfields north-west of Roma. Senex CEO and managing director Ian Davies gave the quarterly report at the end of October hailing the recent Western Surat Gas Project with Santos GLNG. Mr Davies said the company’s liquidity was bolstered by a $42m cash injection from Santos GLNG as part of “two transformative agreements”. “The first was the sale of the Maisey block in return for $42m in cash as well as a very valuable package of subsurface and production data,” Mr Davies said. “The second a gas sales agreement to supply up to 50 TJ a day of sales gas over 20 years.” Mr Davies said the two agreements “materially derisked” their Western Surat Gas Project towards the Financial Investment Decision. “These agreements also represent an important milestone for the development of a valuable gas business for Senex and is a great start to the financial year,” he said. Mr Davies said the company was also working with Origin Energy in the Cooper Basin to develop unconventional gas resources.

In late 2014 the company told the ASX they expected to commence pilot production in the Surat Basin no later than the end of 2017 “with early appraisal results to inform the larger scale investment decision”. However Mr Davies cautioned they may not be able to rigorously stick by their published schedule. “We’ve got to make sure we’ve got the land access in place and we do it in a way that we can build a long term relationship with the landholders,” he said. “Our expectation is we’ll be completing the two pilot programs by back end of Q1, start of Q2 in calendar 16, but as I said we will not be rushing the land access side of things because we are going to be neighbours of these guys for a very long time so we want to make sure we’ve got the relationship off to the right foot.” According to EnergyQuest’s November EnergyQuarterly report, the Senex project was one of the new gas supply projects coming onstream, along with QGC Charlie project that was closing the east coast gas supply gap. Maranoa Mayor Rob Loughnan has said he believed the Senex project would sustain the local CSG industry over coming years and

appeared to be well received with some pretty ambitious plans. Senex (formerly known as Victoria Petroleum NL) is a Brisbane-based oil and gas explorer and producer, listed on the ASX since 1984 with significant acreage in Australia's proven onshore energy precincts. In the Cooper-Eromanga Basin Senex currently produces over one million barrels of oil each year, and is pursuing exploration, appraisal and development of its oil and gas acreage. According to the annual report Senex has already invested in early planning activities for the Western Surat Gas Project, which involved “concept engineering studies, landholder and stakeholder engagement, and initiation of the environmental impact assessment process.” The company remains optimistic despite low oil prices. “Australia’s East Coast gas market is experiencing unprecedented demand growth fuelled by the start-up of large-scale Liquefied Natural Gas plants in Queensland,” the report said. “A compelling market opportunity exists for well-located, material gas reserves with a robust commercialisation strategy.”

WDRC new planning scheme

T’S taken seven years since amalgamation but Western Downs Regional Council believes its new draft planning scheme is worth the wait. At its November 18 meeting the council adopted the Amended Draft Western Downs Planning Scheme and the Local Government Infrastructure Plan for the purposes of State Interest Review. The draft document has number of changes following public consultation with the key items being reducing levels of assessment and the inclusion of compliance assessment provisions for development, the simplification of development assessment provisions, the removal of precincts and aligning the scheme with state government changes to the infrastructure regime by developing the LGIP. Cr Ray Jamieson said the work undertaken on the amended sheme has ensured it would be a tool to drive economic growth and sustainability. "We wanted to strip back 'red tape' to ensure more efficient and effective development in the Western Downs as well as to make sure that the amended Scheme drives the prosperity and liveability of our local communities," Cr Jamieson said. "Given the significant changes that have been made to the Draft Planning Scheme, Council in line with planning regulations and legislation have requested that the Deputy Premier undertake a State Interest Review.” Cr Jamieson said he hoped the scheme would pass the State Interest Review quickly and once approved by the Deputy Premier, then Western Downs council would begin a second round of public consultation. "The community will once again have the opportunity to review the Amended Draft Scheme and provide feedback," he said.

Senex boss Ian Davies (seen here with TSBE’s Jo Sheppard) is bullish about the company’s prospects.

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PAGE 7

IN THE NEWS

Bright future ahead

Cathay Pacific 747-8 jumbo cargo plane arrives at Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport on November 23, 2015. Photo Will Hunter / South Burnett Times

Hong Kong eagle has landed F

First Cathay Pacific freight flight touches down at Wellcamp Airport

OR the Wagners the goal is simple: freighters carrying Queensland produce direct from Toowoomba to Asia every day. It was a good start on November 23 when the first trial flight from Wellcamp Airport left bound for Hong Kong, carrying frozen and chilled beef, nuts, mangoes, organic chicken, and lettuce. John Wagner said he wanted a regular freight service. "It's a trial flight to make sure all the systems are in place," Mr Wagner said. "I would be relatively hopeful that by the end of the first quarter next year, we'll have a scheduled service out of Wellcamp.” Already Darling Downs producers are looking at the opportunities.

Story Fresh vegetable grower Geoff Story had two tonnes of their read-to-eat salad on the Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-8, with the shipment saving a day in transport. "We'll get our product onto an Asian plate faster than we currently do onto a Melbourne plate, and we serve them every day of the working week," Mr Story said. "Today for us was a unique opportunity, particularly going into Subways in Hong Kong." Mr Story said he was utilising about 70 per cent of their Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley field production ability and about 60 per cent of the processing ability and the prospect of shipping out of Wellcamp airport was a game changer. "With highly perishable produce, this is the BEFORE

AFTER

first time we've been able to look to service the Asian market,” he said. "Adding the extra day effectively adds about 10 per cent of life to the product." Cathay Pacific Airways South West Pacific general manager Nelson Chin said the company saw a lot of potential in the Darling Downs. "It's a rare occasion that we would deliberately reroute our largest aircraft," he said. "Things are still in the pipelines, but the start is here.” Mayor Paul Antonio said these were opportune times. "I think Toowoomba is the hub for preparation of food and export to the world. I know that given time we'll get a freight line here," he said.

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HOUSANDS of jobs are set to be created in the Surat Basin thanks to a revival of the region's resources sector. A likely 2000 jobs will be created in the next few years as a series of major projects commence including the re-opening of the Wilkie Creek coalmine at Macalister and the development by QGC of natural gas tenements near Wandoan. Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive officer Ben Lyons said the developments were fantastic news for the region. "QGC's $1.7 billion Charlie project alone will create 1600 construction jobs during the two-year construction phase, with the project creating a very welcome boost to southern Queensland's economy," he said. QCG announced last month it would support the local jobs for the Charlie joint venture with China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Tokyo Gas. The development comprises 300-400 wells, a large compression station and associated pipeline and facilities that will feed into the existing gas and water infrastructure at Woleebee Creek. "As we are all well aware, 2015 saw Queensland's CSG industry move from the construction to the operational phase of many of our major gas projects and as a result we have seen fewer jobs in the industry as there were in the previous boom years," Mr Lyons said.

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IN THE NEWS

New infrastructure at Roma Saleyards

New washdown is open for business R

A $3m development which will pay for itself

OMA’S new $3 million truck wash at the saleyards has been officially opened by Maranoa mayor Robert Loughnan and Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham. Funded by the Maranoa Regional Council ($1m ), the State Government ($1.5m) and Santos GLNG ($500,000), the new truck wash has now been fully opened. But why is this good news for the Maranoa? Here are five reasons: 1 It’s going to pay for itself NATURAL Resources Minister Anthony Lynham, who helped open the truck wash on Saturday, said the increased efficiency of the new truck wash meant it would save enough money to pay itself off within five years. “Instead of one truck being able to be washed down, the new facility can take three road-trains at once, while the old single wash-down bay has been converted for farm vehicles,” he said. “The new bays are expected to help cut the average waiting period at the saleyards by one hour and increase industry productivity by around $622,200 per annum, based on current use.” 2 It’s a win for the environment THE new wash down facility will have a reduced impact on the environmental, thanks largely to the fact all the water has been recycled. “It’s saving water – the recycling is saving the water from running into the mains, but you also get more volume with the slope that’s been put in place,” Maranoa regional councillor Scott Wason said. “Quite a few years ago we tried to get an upgrade to the truck wash, because when the resource boom started, it was obvious the previous one would not be able to cope.” 3 The trucking industry wins from it FRASERS Transport’s Tommy Hunt has seen

plenty of wasted hours at the previous Roma Saleyards truck wash. “We’ve had gear out here for half the day – you would send the guy home and monitor it from the office,” he said. “We were just paying people to wait.” Mr Hunt said he was delighted to see the opening of the new truck wash, which he said would increase the output of cattle trucks using the Roma Saleyards. “Where it is good for us is the efficiency,” he said. Maranoa mayor Robert Loughnan agreed with Mr Hunt, adding it was a big win for truck drivers. “While some people might be unsure why we’re spending this money, I can assure you that for the local trucking industry, it’s a big thing,” he said. “People are now spending less because they are spending less time at the wash.” 4 It’s good for CSG industry WITH bio-security so crucial to maintaining a balanced eco-system, Santos GLNG Maranoa regional manager Andrew Snars said the truck wash would help the company keep weeds away from properties. “We take bio-security very seriously and not only have we contributed $500,000 here, but we’ve also spent $1 million on bio-security measures over Queensland,” he said. “You need to reduce the risk and keep weeds away from where they don’t belong.” 5 All the money stayed here WHENEVER builder Steve Duff drives past the truck wash now, he will admire how much of it was built using locals. Not only was the contractor, SM and KA Duff Builders, based in Roma, but all bar one of the sub-contractors used called Roma home as well. Mr Duff said many of the materials used were either sourced or ordered in locally, when possible.

Dr Anthony Lynham, Mayor Rob Loughnan and Andrew Snars officially open the washdown.

The washdown facility at the Roma Saleyards.

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CAUTION: Gravel Road Ahead

There are highways and by-ways and then there are gravel roads. Gravel Road will take a leisurely look at the road less travelled across the region. We would have called it Dirt Track but we are far too clean for that – most of the time.

Groomed for high office

POLLIES rarely miss an opportunity to don the hard hat. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull himself was set to play tradie last week, turning the first sod at the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing. Of course, this was a story that did not have a happy ending; Mr Turnbull decided instead to “sod off” to Sydney. The PM’s hissy fit was triggered by Ian Macfarlane’s recent political affair, cheating on poor Malcolm with older suitor Warren Truss. Malcolm is perhaps feeling a bit jilted after the member for Groom switched party rooms in Canberra and joined the Nats. Unlike most divorces, there was no real paperwork for Mr Macfarlane to sign – in Queensland the parties are merged as the LNP. But when LNP pollies go to Canberra they must decide whether to sit with the Nationals or Liberals (for instance, LNP Maranoa preselection candidate David Littleproud will follow Bruce Scott’s lead if elected, and sit with the Nats). Mr Marfarlane has always been a devoted Lib, but did not take kindly to being dropped from Mr Turnbull’s new cabinet and started wooing Mr Truss to get himself a seat back at the high table before dropping the PM a “Dear Malcolm” letter. With both Mr Truss and Mr Macfarlane prominent at the Toowoomba sod turning, Mr Turnbull didn’t want to be Malcolm in the Middle and schlepped off to Sydney where he was more comfortable being the innovation prime minister than the infrastructure prime minister. The couple say the split was amicable; Mr Macfarlane still claims to be one of Mr Turnbull’s allies, and at the sod turning he said, "Malcolm and I are good mates, and we still speak pretty regularly”. Perhaps, but Gravel Road would give its right camber to be a fly on the wall of their most recent exchanges…

Nats, Hats and Spats

CONTINUING with the Nats theme, it was good to see all their MPs respecting tradition at a recent gathering in Canberra with each

and every one proudly wearing an Akubra. Senator Fiona Nash easily stole the show with her non-traditional though fetching pink Akubra. Gravel Road has no idea what it means, but it did give us an excuse to show you the below “hat flirtations” guide we saw recently. We wonder if the Nats are aware of the flirtatious symbolism of hat wearing, with clues like putting it behind you meaning you are married while putting it in front of you meaning you are single. Of all the hat flirtations however, Gravel Road is most impressed by the specificity of putting it under the left arm which apparently means “I will be at the gate at 8pm”. We wonder if there are any other hat gestures that correspond to different times or indeed different meeting spots. We will be watching carefully when new Nat in a Hat Macfarlane touches the rim to the lips, whether his comrades will be asking “Does he accompany you?” Or will he just be talking through his hat?

Tim Tam Tantrums

The battle between Mr Turnbull and Mr Macfarlane was perhaps an entrée to the big clash of heavyweights this month. I refer to the stoush between Coles and Arnott’s Biscuits over Tim Tams. Gravel Road admits its usual reaction to the chocolate biscuit is “meh” but does understand that that not everyone is as underwhelmed and many Aussies, especially overseas, see Tim Tams as the iconic Australian food, albeit now owned by the iconic American company Campbell Soups. The problem began when Arnott’s demanded steep price rises for biscuits including Scotch Finger, Teddy Bear, Monte Carlo and TeeVee Snacks (though not Tim Tams) and Campbell’s cooking stock products. Coles said the price rises were unjustified, prompting Arnott’s to hit back by refusing to supply Tim Tams. While Coles initially said they would resist the boycott, they caved in after two weeks and agreed an increased price on 44 "must-have" Arnott's biscuit products and seven lines of

ORIENT ESPRESSO: The editor of Surat Basin News looking caffeinated but a little underdressed for the occasion during a chance encounter with Chinese dancers in Brisbane. Campbell's stock. The price of Tim Tams stayed the same. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims thought the whole affair was a storm in a dunking tea-cup and nothing more than "robust negotiation" between two big companies. Though it does seem that while generally prices are “down, down” at Coles, Arnott’s brand power takes the biscuit.

China Syndrome

In other news, Derek Barry, editor of this august publication, did his bit for Chinese relations in a recent visit to Brisbane. While walking idly through King George Square on his way to an engagement in the city, Mr Barry saw a troupe of well-dressed Chinese ladies dancing in the square. Unaware of what was going on but curious, he approached the ladies to ask why they were dressed up and dancing. Initially there was some difficulty finding one of them who spoke English but finally one of them told him it was related to Chinese Cultural New Year festivities. Satisfied and about to walk away, the Chinese ladies demanded one favour in response, a photograph with them for reasons not clear to our un-photogenic editor. However not wishing to appear a spoilsport he happily posed for the picture. Then thinking “When in Roma St…” he pulled out his own smartphone and asked that they take the same photo for his own collection. Mr Barry would be the first to admit he looked seriously underdressed compared to the elegant Chinese ladies but likes the photo nonetheless. Alas Mr Barry will have to travel a lot further in future to capture similar images. As of the start of 2016, he has accepted a job with Fairfax as

editor of the North West Star newspaper in Mt Isa, so this is his final edition of Surat Basin News. Gravel Road will also be taking the road less travelled to the north-west and this is also our final appearance in this esteemed publication. We hope you’ve had as much fun reading this column as we have writing it. Safe travels!

Last thoughts for summer

Did you know if you count the number of stars in the universe and compare that to the number of grains of sand on a beach, you can ruin a perfectly good holiday?

GROOM SERVICE: Ian Macfarlane dreams of a return to ministerial glory.

Hit the Road HATTY JAPES: What wearing your hat says about you, apparently

PAGE 10

Got something we should know about? Contact us on gravelroad@suratbasin.com.au

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Yuleba State School students get weed wise with Corey Drennen.

Yuleba kids help get weed wise

esidents of Fairview, Wallumbilla, Wandoan and Yuleba now have two new tools to tackle local weed threats with a smartphone App and pocket guide unveiled at a community tree planting and weed awareness day at Yuleba’s Skate Park last month. Presented as a glovebox ‘Pocket Guide’ and a smartphone App, the ‘Let’s Get Weed Wise’ toolkit is the culmination of the Community Relations Program delivered in partnership by Powerlink Queensland and the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee (QMDC). The tools are now available free of charge to any landholder or community member with an interest in biosecurity and weed management in the Fairview, Wallumbilla, Wandoan and Yuleba areas. Powerlink Chief Executive Merryn York said

one of the key deliverables from the partnership was the development of an Integrated Weed Management Strategy that drew on knowledge from a Working Group of landholders and representatives from local and state government, environmental groups, industry, QMDC and Powerlink. “These tools bring the strategy to life and will help communities in the region identify current and emerging weed threats and better understand how they can be effectively controlled,” Ms York said. “This toolkit will be a legacy of Powerlink’s partnership with QMDC, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive and lasting difference in areas near our electricity infrastructure in the North West Surat Basin.” To help celebrate the launch, Yuleba State School students joined Powerlink, QMDC and the Maranoa Regional Council in

planting native shade trees and installing a new garden bed to enhance the popular skate park. QMDC spokesperson Sandy Robertson said the students learned about weeds and how to prevent their spread, in what was the final event for the Community Relations Program. “I’d like to thank the Maranoa Regional Council for working alongside QMDC and Powerlink to complete important environmental work at the Yuleba Skate Park and the Wallumbilla Showgrounds earlier this year,” Ms Robertson said. She said other activities completed as part of the program included tree plantings and working bees at Wandoan’s Waterloo Plain Environmental Park Reserve and the Injune Community Garden, as well as a grazing and weed management workshop in Wandoan. In a speech delivered on the day, Maranoa

Download Free ■ The Let’s Get Weed Wise App can be downloaded for free at: www.qmdc.org.au/links/gis.html www.powerlink.com.au (go to ‘Community & Environment’) http://arcg.is/1jBDTOr Regional Councillor Ree Price said the partnership had been a great example of multiple stakeholders working together to manage weed risks. “Working together is the best way to manage weed risks across our communities, and is an important issue that must be tackled in a strategic, coordinated and consolidated approach. This initiative is a fantastic example of this approach in action,” Cr Price said.

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to all! wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From all the Bean Team, we wish you a safe and blessed Christmas and a favoured 2016. Closed 24th Dec; Re-open 4th Jan

SIX MILE

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 Friday 18th December and re-opening Monday 11th January

Phone 4662 7726 after hours 0413 329 163 WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM

Exhibitor sites and sponsor packages are now available. ALSO, ask about the Trucking and Transportation Expo at this event.

www.suratbasinexpo.com.au Wishing all our valued customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year WE WILL CLOSE WEDNESDAY 23th DECEMBER and RE-OPEN MONDAY 4th JANUARY.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

to all! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our valued customers. Thanking you for your support during the year and wishing you all the best in 2016.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Ann n

John,Anne & the team wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas. Closed public holidays only.

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Merry Christmas to all our clients. We wish you a successful and joyous New Year.

The staff at Maguire Coaches wish their clients a joyous Christmas and let us keep you safe in the New Year! See you in 2016!

The staff at CMT Haulage wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you in 2016!

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year! Merry Christmas to all of our valued customers

Wishing our clients and families a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2016. Our office will be closed from Christmas Eve to 4th January we are on call 24/7 over this period.

The SURAT BASIN NEWS OFFICE will be closed from Thursday 24th December 2015 and will re open Monday 4th January for all your advertising needs.

Phone 4672 9927 6222253ab

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

PAGE 13

RuralNEWS N Queensland Beef Expo 2016

Inaugural expo set to showcase beef Major focus on industry in south-west Queensland

he company behind the inaugural Queensland Beef Expo set for 2016 believe that the timing for this initiative is perfect. The event will focus primarily on the production and supply of beef from this region and Bob Carroll from Australian Events said the event would create a major focus on the beef industry across the South West. “I am pleased to be returning to the field day industry but this event has a very definite focus,” Mr Carroll said. “Pretty soon 80% of Australian produce will be exported and with the inaugural Cathay Pacific Freight Jumbo flying out of Wellcamp Brisbane West airport the scene is now set for a revolution in the way produce and in particular, beef, is farmed and prepared for export”. The Queensland Beef Expo will feature the inaugural Spring Classic All Breeds Sale with input and management from Elders and Landmark in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland. There will also be a series of seminars,

workshops and industry functions with high calibre speakers and presenters. Some of the topics will include Feed Lotting, Live Exports, Packaged Beef Export as well as Safety and Better Work Practices on the Farm. Another key initiative of the event will be to create a Youth Development Program to encourage active youth involvement within the beef Industry through interactive displays and conference activity. A Led Steer Competition will be an important part of that program. The event will get under way on Wednesday August 31, 2016 with the Led Steer Competition and seminars. The Spring Classic All Breeds Sale will take place on Thursday with Expo displays and other activity running Thursday through Saturday. To register your interest to become an exhibitor or to take a site to showcase a breed society go to the web site www.beefexpo.com.au You will also be able to enquire via the site on sponsorship opportunities and details on the All Breeds Sale.

Colby Ede from Landmark, Damon Phillips and John McDonald from RASQ, Bob Carroll the Director of Australian Events and Andrew Meara from Elders launch the 2016 Beef Expo.

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RuralNEWS N

Chance to speak out on rural debt crisis

Local economist urges action on debt

HALF century of policy failure has left rural Australia plagued by unmanageable debt levels, insolvencies, bank foreclosures, suicides, and has damaged the social fabric of our regional towns and cities, says Miles resident and economist Ben Rees. Mr Rees, a research economist on the Queensland Government’s Rural Debt and Drought taskforce, said Australia needed to re-examine agricultural policies that have seen rural debt levels climb to crisis levels of more than $60 billion and he is urging people to make written or verbal submissions to the taskforce. “Over the past 40 years, the prevailing policy of agricultural economies of scale has led to the creation of large farms with low-incomes and is having a “devastating effect” upon rural communities and farmers,” Mr Rees said. Mr Rees said the debt crisis had its roots in the 1980s economic slump. Banks made debt to equity loans to farmers, based upon the assumption of ongoing asset inflation, but when the Global Financial Crisis hit in 2008, land prices plummeted and farmers with large debt to equity loans found themselves insolvent, Mr Rees said. Insolvencies have led to foreclosures, but Mr Rees said the banks had instituted

confidentiality agreements, which meant that someone who was foreclosed upon “can’t even tell his brother what has happened, theoretically”. “That’s what we’re trying to find out – what is debt related and what is drought related?”

Mr Rees said. He said Australia’s current approach to agricultural policy was “unsustainable”. In the 1950s, it was recognised that rural sectors decline in modern, mature economies, Mr Rees said.

“The reason for that is very simple – it’s Engel’s Law – which says that income-wise, a smaller and smaller proportion is spent on food (as an economy grows),” he said. “Now there has to be a debate about a realistic solution for rural Australia, because if you think through the ultimate conclusion of Engel’s Law, what you have is a peasant farm sector living in constant poverty and penury.” With the taskforce accepting submissions until December 18, Mr Rees said now was the chance for rural Australia to make their voice heard. He added that if people felt they couldn’t make a written submission or were bound by a confidentiality agreement, they could attend one of a number of private taskforce hearings being held around the state. One submission to the taskforce from a leading North Queensland grazier, seen by the Chinchilla News, argues that despite the severe drought, the biggest problem facing rural Australia is equity and debt. The grazier said that only drastic financial relief will save farming businesses in drought-effected areas and that for many farmers, “there is no fight left”. The taskforce is currently planning to host a session in Dalby on January 27, 2016. RURAL ROOTS: State Government Rural Debt and Drought Taskforce research economist Ben Rees at home on his - Matthew Newton property on Dogwood Creek, 17km north east of Miles. Photo Matthew Newton / Chinchilla News

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TOURISM

Find your special fishing spot by the banks of the Balonne River.

Mitchell’s Great Artesian Spa is one of the region’s great attractions.

Tourism in our region

Five things to do in the Surat Basin

OURISM is becoming front and centre of the future prosperity of our region and there is certainly no shortage of great accommodation options in our part of south-west Queensland. But once you’ve got tourists here, what should they do? Here’s our tip of the five best things to do in the Surat Basin and wider region.

1 Bunya Mountains

The beautiful Bunyas are visible from the Warrego Highway and under an hour away from Dalby via Kaimkillenbun. The Bunya Mountains are an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range which rise abruptly from the surrounding countryside to an average elevation of 975m (1100m at Mounts Mowbullan and Kiangarow). The views are spectacular but the nights can be cool - even in summer - so bring warm clothing. The area contains the largest natural Bunya pine forest in the world along with a number of unique features such as natural grassland 'balds' (themselves composed of rare grass species) and wet and dry rainforests. Dandabah, located immediately next to the National Park, is the main settlement in the area. It offers a range of accommodation. eateries, galleries and extensive picnic facilities. It is a great base to start your

exploration of the area.

2 Top Fishing

Our region has some of the best fisheries and angling in inland Australia. The town of St George on the Balonne is capital of our fisheries but there are a host of other great options. Cod are naturally the main stars of the show but are as elusive in the waters of the

The Bunya Mountains is a great adventure playground.

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for size at Condamine and just cast a line and forget the world as you enjoy the charms of Lake Broadwater just 27km from Dalby.

3 Our welcoming towns

Our region is full of relaxed country towns with uncluttered landscapes, charismatic local pubs and home-grown produce. Dalby is the hub along four major highways and has great shopping centres and all modern facilities, just 80km from Toowoomba while still keeping its relaxed country feel. Chinchilla is renowned for its melon festival every two years when the town goes green-and-red crazy, but even if you visit at another time, you quickly become aware this area grows a quarter of Australia’s melons. Explore Charley’s Creek by foot or take a break at Chinchilla Weir. Over at Miles there is the award winning Dogwood Crossing gallery and the great Historical Village (see more on our history on page 17). Should you head on to Roma, you must check out its history of oil and gas at the Big Rig or explore the wildlife and native flora at the Roma Bush Gardens around the revitalised Railway Dam. Make sure to find time to get to Mitchell and relax and enjoy the rejuvenating powers of the ancient waters from the Great Artesian Basin at the Great Artesian Spa.

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Balonne as they are elsewhere. On the other hand golden perch and eel-tailed catfish are more easily taken with the odd silver perch thrown in as well. Anglers can also venture to various fishing areas away from town; the Beardmore Dam turnoff is 22km north from town, on the Carnarvon Highway as if heading to Roma. You can also dangle a line by the Balonne at beautiful Surat, try out the Condamine River

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

TOURISM

4 Our rich history

Our region’s history delves into the millions of years with some of the Queensland’s Museum’s best preserved dinosaurs originally found near Roma. More recently our proud indigenous heritage is celebrated in the Bunya festivals that brought people from all over southern Queensland. Our colonial history is preserved at magnificent Jimbour House, the Juandah Historical Site at Wandoan and Miles Historical Village while you can follow the trail of missing explorer Ludwig Leichhardt who left his mark at Jimbour, Chinchilla, Taroom and Muckadilla among other localities. Visitors are also welcome to the wonderful Mount Abundance Homestead by

appointment, to meander around this fascinating property and enjoy smoko on the wide veranda or under the century-old bottle trees. Roma’s courthouse recalls the time of “Robbery Under Arms”, a novel reputedly based on the Roma trial of Harry Redford. The Maranoa’s rich agricultural history is reflected at the Roma Saleyards which are the largest in the southern hemisphere with guided tours every Tuesday a must when the store sale attracts up to 10,000 head of cattle.

5 Carnarvon Ranges

Arguably we have left the best till last. The Carnarvon Ranges are regarded as the roof of Queensland and the starting point of four major river systems. The spiritual heart of the Ranges is Carnarvon Gorge, just 240km north of Roma (150km north of Injune).

Miles Historical Village and Museum is a step back in time.

The Gorge is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Here, towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly-coloured and lush side-gorges. Boulder-strewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge. A wealth of cultural and natural heritage lies within this special place. The gorge is home to a range of significant plant and animal species, many of them relics of cooler, wetter times. Remnant rainforest flourishes in the sheltered side-gorges while the park's creeks attract a wide variety of animals including more than 173 species of birds. Rock art on sandstone overhangs is a reminder of Indigenous people's long and continuing connection with the gorge. Ochre stencils, rock engravings and freehand

paintings include some of the finest Aboriginal rock imagery in Australia. Commercially operated campsites and holiday accommodation are available all year round, close to the park at Takarakka Bush Resort and Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge and there is also plenty of camping. Explore amongst the spectacular white cliffs and lush side gorges of Carnarvon Ranges National Park, with 21 kilometres of walking track taking you through mossy rainforests, eucalypts and cabbage palm forests. A minimum of three days is recommended to walk the tracks, explore side gorges and visit Aboriginal art sites. All tracks are fully signposted and lead either from the main road to the park information centre, or from the main track that starts in the Carnarvon Gorge visitor area.

These beautiful streams are just one of the many gems of Carnarvon Gorge.

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PAGE 17

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Queensland manufacturing facility earns its ISO9001 stripes

Big recognition for Obadare One of five Aussie companies with certification

ne of Australia’s leading oil field and infrastructure services providers has received international certification for its multi-million dollar Queensland-based manufacturing facility. Obadare, which is a strategic partner within the FKG Group’s energy services division, is one of only five national companies to be issued with the American Petroleum Institute’s combined ISO9001 (International Quality), API Q1 (API Quality) and API 7-1 (threaded connection products) certifications. Obadare’s managing director Matt Warner said it was a significant milestone for the company, whose clients included Easternwell, Saxon, Schlumberger, Santos, Ensign International, Baker Hughes and Wild Desert. “API certification is at the forefront of procurement requirements for many international companies involved with the construction, operation and maintenance of

billions of dollars’ worth of oil and gas infrastructure in Australia, particularly within the Surat, Bowen and Cooper basins,” Mr Warner said. “We (FKG Group and Obadare) have made a significant investment over the past 12 months, upgrading our state-of-the-art workshop, systems and processes to ensure all aspects of our quality management are in place.” Mr Warner said the certification secured a long-term position within the energy services sector and gave their customers a far greater sense of risk mitigation with all aspects of delivering quality products and services. More than $7.5 million has been spent in the past 18 months at the company’s 5000m2 workshop, situated on a nine-acre site next to the FKG Group headquarters in Toowoomba. FKG Group’s Systems Manager Scott Carter said API certifications gave Obadare an

international benchmark to help increase its scope of works particularly within the government sectors. “We have had extensive experience working in infrastructure related activities and now we can expand and provide further services within the oil and gas markets,” Mr Carter said. “Our capabilities also extend to infield services and we can offer oil and gas fabrication, maintenance inspection and

re-manufacture and repair works. Only five companies in Australia hold the three certifications that have recently been awarded to Obadare. Mr Carter said Obadare was also in the process of securing additional 4F product certification relating to manufacturing well servicing structures such as drill rigs, comprising of derricks, masts, crown blocks and related substructures.

We have had extensive experience working in infrastructure related activities and now we can expand and provide further services within the oil and gas markets. FKG Group’s Systems Manager Scott Carter

Obadare. has recieved international certification for its Queensland-based manufacturing factility.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Chinchilla Scout Group are winners in the latest round of Easternwell grants.

Easternwell funds go to scouts honour C

Chinchilla Scout Group were one of the community groups to get grants to help rebuild flooded hall

ommunity groups in the Surat Basin region have received more than $9,500 through the latest round of community grants from Easternwell, a part of the Broadspectrum Group. Much needed funds are going to a variety of groups including Beck Street Kindergarten, Booringa Action Group, Chinchilla Community Commerce & Industry, Chinchilla Scout Group, Dalby District Show Society, Mungallala Progress and Sporting Association and Yarraman SE Chinchilla Scout Group said that the grant will help to rebuild their hall that was damaged as a result of flooding a couple of years ago.

“We will be able to purchase electrical appliances so we can properly fit out a kitchen in the hall which is used for meetings and other community events.” “Providing young people with the opportunity to get involved with fun and challenging activities is essential in regions like the Surat Basin and a venue with proper facilities will help us attract new members.” Further demonstrating Easternwell’s commitment to the Surat Basin region, Kylie Hindle from Mungallala Progress and Sporting Association said the funds will be put to good use within the community. “With the purchase of audio visual equipment we will be able to better equip the

Town Hall and Sports Clubhouse for community events and meetings.” “This equipment will be used during events that help bring our community together such as movie nights, football games, dances, school awards evenings, town meetings and workshops.” Since the launch of the grass-roots initiative in 2011, Easternwell has provided more than $82,500 to 50 groups in the Surat Basin region Easternwell’s Executive General Manager, Tim Phelan, said the program was specifically developed to provide much needed support to local organisations that do so much in our communities. “There are countless community groups in

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PIE Oil & Gas Services, through its local Australian subsidiary has won a contract to perform maintenance on the controls and communications network for the QCLNG project. SPIE Oil & Gas Services Pty Ltd (formerly Plexal Group) say they will provide maintenance services to QGC to ensure a “world class, lean and automated” controls and communications network for QCLNG. The SPIE Oil & Gas Services maintenance team will include controls systems engineers and instrument/electrical technicians providing planned and unplanned maintenance, identifying and optimising the controls and communications network using our experience and knowledge to deliver efficiencies and improvements to increase production. The project is based in Chinchilla where SPIE Oil & Gas Services personnel will be based and work closely with the QGC team. Beginning last month for an initial three year period with an option for a further year, this contract of $18 million presents an opportunity for SPIE Oil & Gas Services to provide the benefits of the systems and processes developed for the offshore oil and gas industry to the CSG operating environment. Managing Director of SPIE Oil & Gas Services Yves Compañy said since their entry into Australia in 2013 with the acquisition of Plexal Group, SPIE Oil & Gas

My team and I very happy to be working for QGC to deliver our specialist brownfield services with a combination of engineers and technicians working together in the field Dean Paton, Managing Director of SPIE Oil & Gas Services PTY Ltd Services had consolidated its position in the local industry by providing niche engineering services to major operators particularly in Western Australia. Dean Paton, Managing Director of SPIE Oil & Gas Services PTY Ltd has seen the Australian business grow from strength to strength during a challenging time. “My team and I very happy to be working for QGC to deliver our specialist brownfield services with a combination of engineers and technicians working together in the field,” Mr Paton said. “We look forward to growing our footprint in the CSG industry in Australia in general and for QGC in particular by delivering system improvements and efficiencies to enhance SPIE have won a maintenance contract for QGC based in Chinchilla. production.”

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oowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) have strengthened their presence in the Surat Basin region with the appointment of new Western Downs-based Board member, Rob Hart. Mr Hart is currently the Principal of his own consulting firm focused on the oil and gas and agriculture sectors, Squabillion Management and Business Consulting, and was one of five new inductions to the TSBE Board at the organisation’s recent AGM. “I am passionate about improving infrastructure and economic development in the region, particularly for the western towns of Roma, Wandoan, Tara, Miles and Chinchilla,” Mr Hart said. Mr Hart has worked for a number of international companies including Shell, Flight Centre and Agrium, as well as holding executive positions with Norco Dairy Co-op and his most recent position as Regional Manager for Origin LNG, sitting on the leadership team for the multibillion dollar APLNG Upstream gas project. Having recently left Origin, Mr Hart has purchased a grazing property and intends to breed export quality cattle and hopes international freight opportunities are soon an everyday occurrence for the Toowoomba and Surat Basin region. “I’m very keen to see export opportunities open up for agriculture and industry, and this is no doubt already underway with Wellcamp Airport and their potential to have regular air freight flights up and running by next year,” Mr Hart said. “In order to ensure the outer Western regions enjoy the full opportunities this will provide in terms of our agriculture and resource sectors, I’d also like to ensure that the Inland Rail concept retains the spur line from Toowoomba to Roma to provide access to ports and to Wellcamp Airport.” TSBE Chairman Shane Charles said it was pleasing to see Mr Hart join Gavin Walton and Matt Ostwald as TSBE’s representation further west in the Maranoa and Western Downs region. “Rob brings another level of expertise to the TSBE Board in terms of not only

TSBE has welcomed Chinchilla's Rob Hart to its board of directors. understanding the agriculture and resource sectors and how they operate having worked across these industries for years, but also in terms of understanding these regional communities and how they fit into the overall economic story of the Surat Basin,” Mr Charles said. With a stellar 2016 lined up, Mr Hart said he looks forward to seeing where TSBE takes the region next.

“TSBE has a high calibre Board that has access to all levels of government and is able to advocate strongly for our region,” Mr Hart said. “TSBE also bats above average in terms of international links which was recently evidenced with the opening of the new TSBE Beijing office within the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture – no other Australian organisation has done this.”

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OPINIONS

Massive year for TSBE and the region COMMENT BEN LYONS CEO TSBE

t’s hard to believe that I am sitting here writing the last Surat Basin News column for 2015. It’s been a massive year of firsts for me, from moving my family back to the Toowoomba region from China to taking up officially as CEO with TSBE. It’s also been a massive year of firsts for the Toowoomba and Surat Basin region. TSBE launched our Food Leaders Australia (FLA) initiative, aimed at assisting regional food

producing and processing businesses reach international markets. The Hon Bob Hawke AC kicked off TSBE’s Thought Leadership Series with a bang talking about opportunities for the region in Asia, hosted at our very own internationally capable airport. TSBE hosted the inaugural Toowoomba Transport and Logistics Symposium, and while not technically a first for us, we hosted our second Ag in the Asian Century Conference which echoed the success of the first event. A couple of weeks ago we saw the historic first international freight flight leave from Wellcamp Airport bound for Hong Kong, and only last week, the first soil was turned in preparation for the Toowoomba Second

Range Crossing project. While our resource sector took a bit of a hit this year, with the downturn in the gas industry, we have nursed our way through and are beginning to settle into the ‘normalisation’ of industry following the boom years out west. By all accounts, it’s been a stellar year. So, what’s next? There’s no doubting that optimism is our game here at TSBE, and we are seeing lots of opportunities for 2016. Primarily, strengthening TSBE’s presence in China with utilisation of our Beijing and Shanghai offices and further building relationships for our agriculture and education sectors. Ensuring that off the back of this, FLA is able

Unions are needed more than ever

Time for reflection .

COMMENT BRUCE SCOTT MP Federal Member for Maranoa

s we turn over our calendar to reveal December, we often take this time to reflect on the year that was. 2015 was the Chinese Year of the Sheep and I have taken this to be a positive omen for producers, especially when we take into consideration this Liberal National Coalition Government’s commitment to broadening our export base. Much of my electorate has been drought declared since 2013. I pray every day for rain however, short of making the Heavens open, this government is committed to supporting the beating heart of our great nation – small business and our bush communities. Growth is fundamental to our future prosperity and this rationale is the explanation behind this Coalition Government’s aggressive trade and investment agenda. The powerful contribution Australian exporters have made to economic growth has

been further highlighted in the latest figures, released earlier this month, by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Our goods and services export volumes increased by 4.6% to $92 billion in the September quarter, while import volumes fell 2.4% to $83.7 billion. Following the enormous wave of investment we have seen in the resource sector, resources exports rose 4.8% to $47.3 billion. Compared with the same quarter last year, the September quarter saw strong trade growth in a number of markets including China, the United States, India and the EU. Australia’s new trade agreements are also providing new opportunities for exporters with data showing strong growth in a number of our exports to Korea and Japan since those agreements entered into force. Agricultural and horticultural exports have flourished in particular. It is hoped our trade deal with China will enter into force before year end, while negotiations concluded for the 12-country Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. As a member Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade joint standing committee and as the Trade subcommittee chairman, I made sure the Maranoa electorate was front and centre of these historic trade deals.

COMMENT DAN McGAW State Organiser Electrical Trades Union South West Queensland

here is always a call from certain politicians and business groups saying that unions are no longer relevant and there is no place in the business world for them anymore. They say that unions drive up wages and put companies out of business. If you think unions are no longer needed, ask yourself: Are capitalist less greedy? Are bosses generous and humane? Are corporations no longer obsessed with squeezing labor costs? Can you trust politicians to maintain worker protections when they rely the investor class to finance their campaigns? Every worker, past and present has the union movement to thank for conditions most people take for granted. It was the union

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to assist members get export ready and that regular freight flights from Wellcamp Airport are a reality. We will also maintain a number of high calibre events in the region including the Ag in Asia conference and the Thought Leaderships series events. In the resource sector we expect that businesses will continue to settle into this new era and TSBE will be there every step of the way to link businesses with the opportunities available. Most importantly, Inland Rail will be our flagship advocacy story, with the project an absolute must for this region. If you go by Chinese zodiac, 2016 is the year of the fortunate, clever monkey. So buckle in, it’s going to be one almighty ride.

movement, though past campaigns and action that bought you things like Medicare, Superannuation, Long Service Leave, Maternity Leave, Workers Compensation, strong Workplace Health and Safety laws, 8 hour working day and paid leave just to name a few. Can you imagine your job without these conditions? Joining a union is the best way to protect your rights at work and the life you enjoy outside of work and ensuring these basic are enjoyed by future generations to come. Businesses come and go but love them or hate them the union movement has been here for well over 100 years and we will continue to fight for rights and conditions for ALL Australian workers. There will always be a need for unions are we are dam proud of our achievements to date. We will not be silenced by corporations who are only interested in massive profits and shareholder returns.

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OPINIONS

Happy to deliver Christmas message

COMMENT Ann Leahy MP Member for Warrego

extend a warm welcome to your readers to my first Christmas Message. Traditionally in the lead up to the Festive Season it is the time when our thoughts turn to family, home life and catching up with friends, fellow workers, holidays and the tradition of exchanging gifts. I trust that you will be able to share in the spirit of the Festive Season with those

New member for Warrego reflects on her first year in parliament around you. Unfortunately the climatic season has been disappointing for many who have missed out this year. Some wide spread rain, or some more summer storms would be well received in many areas of the Electorate and my thoughts are with those who are awaiting their fair share. It is disappointing that the year started with a change of Government in Queensland. However the Queensland LNP Opposition has been a strong advocate for our region and I have been pleased to be part of the team advocating on your behalf.

Throughout the year I have visited as many communities across the Electorate as time has permitted. I will endeavour to continue to be personally accessible to as many as possible. There is more work to do and I look forward to continuing to work with those people whom I have built strong relationships and growing new connections with others to bring about good outcomes. I ask that if you are travelling of the Festive Season that you take special care on the roads during this extra busy time. Next year I will continue my community funding update and anyone is welcome to

receive updates on email. I have also made available a 2015 Scholarships Guide for those leaving school and seeking the next step in their education. Additional copies are available upon request to my Electorate Office. As we all look forward to entering 2016 and spending time with family and friends, I hope that many people will have time to reflect and relax with those around them. I extend my heartfelt wishes to all constituents of the Warrego Electorate for a safe Christmas, with a wet and Happy New Year. With my Best Wishes.

2015 a year of diversity .

COMMENT Cr RAY BROWN Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council

he year 2015 has established itself as the ‘year of diversity’ with ground breaking peaks and testing troughs. The year has not been without its challenges, with the impacts felt right across the region as our communities adjust to the reduction of the energy sector.

The ripple effect has been felt through local families and communities as they face redundancies, losses in the rental market, or reduced commercial and industrial trade. For Western Downs Regional Council, 2015 goes down as one of our most productive years to date. investment of major infrastructure in the form of roads, water, sewerage and waste through construction or upgrades has provided our residents with a high standard of services and a valuable asset to our communities for the future. The agricultural industry has experienced a year of mixed prosperity. Facing the extremes, from record breaking

winter crops and high cattle prices to the reality that our region is still in the grip of drought, it is a credit to our farming families as they exhibit such strength and resilience. Unfortunately, this is the mixed blessing of farming. With the holiday period upon us, I encourage you to take a well-deserved break by spending valuable time with family and friends. I wish you all a joyful and safe Christmas and look forward to a prosperous 2016. Cr Ray Brown, Western Downs Regional Council

This was a testing year COMMENT Cr ROBERT LOUGHMAN Mayor, Maranoa Regional Council

Time to reflect on how to improve in 2016

We are working with Santos on plans for a new office space to complement the strategy and welcome the improved relationships after some protracted and difficult he festive time of year again and negotiations on things like the ‘Road there will be plenty of reflection from Infrastructure Agreement’ this year. your readers this year about exactly QantasLink scheduling also remains topical what happened in 2015 and how we can out here. improve on it. I got the distinct impression at the recent It’s no great secret that my Council has had QantasLink forum in Roma that the its fair share of issues to deal with this year reduction in passenger numbers came as a and resolving those conflicts occasionally total surprise to Qantas despite the demands some testing discussions and knowledge that they were largely servicing negotiations. a construction workforce with a finite To the untrained eye, some of those talks lifespan. might appear to some to be close to open Of course our main problem is that flights conflict. have been largely bunched into the middle The truth is of course we all have a job to do of the day, denying our community for the people we represent and the opportunities to fly to Brisbane and back on relationships in most cases will outlast the the same day. issues being discussed. Added to that, the primary point of contact My thoughts are that 2016 will be a highly to deal with some of these issues seems to productive year, but only if the decision change with every staff restructure as it makers in the resource sector have the does in almost every major company courage to better align their company’s operating in the Surat Basin. interests with the community values. One more talking point which I’m sure I’m not always an advocate of Santos smarter people than me will be writing policies, but their ‘Regional Employment about on these pages. Initiative’ is slowly gaining momentum and I Why on earth would QGC select one of fully support it. Australia’s biggest agricultural The policy aims to restructure the conglomerates to manage their agricultural organisation through the relocation of holdings in the Surat Basin? operational jobs from the city into our Perhaps the level of interest was not there among the local cattlemen and farmers, but region.

PAGE 24

surely those local stakeholders and neighbours who are in the same business could have been influenced into some sort of mutually beneficial partnership arrangement. I see that as an opportunity lost to the community, regardless of the fact that the QGC footprint is minimal in the Maranoa. Then again, big business tends to look after big business as we’ve increasingly seen throughout the last decade. So the challenges for Council in the next twelve months will be profound. Local government will need to maintain a strong focus right through the council elections in March so it keeps its eye on the goal and can get a few wins for the community on these, and many more important issues. To all of your readers and especially those living in the Maranoa, please enjoy a fantastic Christmas break and may 2016 be a great year for you and your family. Travel safely over the break and come home revitalised and refreshed. A special mention to our Irish editor Derek Barry who is refreshing his career in Mount Isa. Good luck Derek. Thank you also to all those people who I have had the pleasure of dealing with, and occasionally wrestling with throughout 2016. Happy Christmas to you all.

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

Thousands more new ideas ahead .

COMMENT MICHAEL ROCHE CEO Queensland Resources Council

ar from being ‘yesterday’s hero’, the resources sector is continuing as a major driver of Australian innovation. While there was much to like about the Turnbull Government’s Innovation Statement, it was diluted by suggestions mining and innovation are incompatible. Yet data from the Minerals Council of Australia confirms the opposite with 6,539 Australian mining inventions filed for patent between 1994-2011 by operating miners, service providers and publicly-funded entities like CSIRO. Mining spends nearly $3 billion on research and development annually in Australia – or put another way – it is responsible for almost $1 in every $6 spent by business on R&D. The resources sector welcomed the federal government’s focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education. Queensland Resources Council members including Surat Basin gas players – Origin Energy, QGC, Santos and APLNG – are closely involved in the uptake of STEM in Queensland schools through the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy. QMEA connects students at 34 secondary schools including Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Dalby, Miles, Oakey, Pittsworth, Roma, Tara, Taroom and Wandoan with future career pathways Marking 10 years and jobs for more 1,000 young Queenslanders this month, QMEA is Australia’s largest and most successful industry-education schools partnership between the resources sector and a state government. On that positive note after an otherwise challenging year for minerals and energy producers, I wish to extend season’s greetings to all Surat Basin News readers and thank publishers Australian Provincial Newspapers for their continuing support.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015

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HE Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise brought down the curtain on what its chairman admitted was a “very tough year” with a three levels of government enterprise evening in Toowoomba. TSBE chair Shane Charles said the continuing low price of oil – which plummeted to $37 a barrel last week – was a major concern for industry. “There’s more pain to come with pundits saying it could stay low for a while,” Mr Charles said. However Mr Charles said there were many green shoots including the QGC Charlie project, the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing and the Senex Western Surat project. The main focus of the TSBE evening was a discussion between four politicians representing three levels of government – Federal member for Groom Ian Macfarlane, state members John McVeigh and Trevor Watts and Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio. Mr Macfarlane came out swinging, defending his impending move from the Liberals to the Nationals. “This region is on the cusp of a huge expansion and now is not the time for this region to give up on a cabinet minister,” Mr Macfarlane said. “We are only going to grow.” Toowoomba Mayor Antonio was equally

matter the location or size of the job.

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PLACES & FACES

Fish ladder installed at Condamine

Fish step up to success Native fish to be helped on their way over the river weir

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Representatives from Queensland Murray Darling Commitee, Landcare, Queensland Main Roads, Condamine, Origin and Western Western Downs Regional Councillor George Moore opened the Condamine Fish Ladder this week. Photo Alana Calvert / Chinchilla News

HE Condamine Fish Ladder was officially unveiled earlier this month in an attempt to help native fish ‘step’ their way over the town weir wall. The ladder comprises a series of rising rock pools, designed to open the river stretch from Cotswold to the Condabri Weir and give species such as the Murray River cod a better chance of survival. Queensland Murray-Darling Committee CEO Geoff Penton said weirs that act as barriers to fish migration had been identified as a contributor to the decline of native fish species in the

Murray-Darling Basin. “This fish way is low maintenance and is expected to open up almost 100km of the Condamine River to fish passage which is a significant gain for fish needing to migrate to forage and breed,” he said. “The fish way is already working with sightings of dozens of native fish resting in the pools during a flow in the river from recent rain.” The ladder begins downstream from the weir wall with resting ponds allowing fish to recover between ‘steps’ of no more than 100mm, as many native fish are unable to negotiate large vertical

jumps in water levels. Native species expected to benefit from the improved connectivity include the Murray River cod, golden perch, eel-tailed catfish, carp cudgeon and bony bream. The opening ceremony was held at Condamine’s Pioneer Park rest area on Tuesday., December 1. Representatives from the Queensland Murray-Darling Committee, landcare groups, Origin Energy, Queensland Main Roads and Western Downs Regional Council, as well as members of the local community were on hand as the Fish Ladder was unveiled.

SURAT BASIN NEWS Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413 Printed by APN Print Toowoomba 50 Industrial Avenue Toowoomba Q4350 2013 General Manager - Erika Brayshaw 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413, PO Box 138 Chinchilla Q4413, Phone 07 4662 7368

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BRISBANE - CHINCHILLA - ROMA - BLACKWATER - MIDDLEMOUNT - MORANBAH - BOGGABRI - PNG

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 17 December 2015