Bowen Basin Feature

REGIONAL BANK CLOSURES STRIKE DYSART

National Australia Bank (NAB) closed its Dysart doors last month due to dropping customer numbers.

The bank said more and more customers are choosing to do their banking online, over the phone or by video conference. Approximately 58% of NAB’s customers in Dysart had only visited the branch once in the last year and more than 74% of customers are also using other locations. “As (customers) continue to bank differently, it’s important we continue to adapt with them,” read a statement from NAB. “Closing a branch is always a difficult decision and we understand the change can be a big adjustment for some customers.” The nearest alternative branch for NAB customers is in Moranbah, while customers are still able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques and check account balances at Dysart Post Office. Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry is calling on the NAB to stop closing regional branches. “The closure of the NAB branch in Dysart is a massive blow to the local community and will have an impact on the local economy, with those local jobs being lost,” Ms Landry said. “In regional towns such as Dysart, many of the elderly members of the community have only ever had the experience of faceto-face banking with bank staff that they trust and are friendly and familiar to them. Kerry of IGA Dysart said while the closure won’t affect her business, many locals are disappointed. “I know there’s a lot of unhappy people,” she said.

“It’s yet another business closing down, another service we’ve lost.

“They had a lot of trouble for the last few years manning the NAB bank. “I know from running this place, finding people is ridiculous.” A fellow Dysart resident agreed that while most banking services are offered by the post office, the closure is disappointing. “There’s only two ATMs in town so it’s hard for people to get cash-out,” they said. “We can understand, because there’s no staff and it’s hard, too, because it’s a small town.

“It’s still hard for many people because everyone relies on the one bank in town, everyone has a NAB account, so that’s a bit hard.”

Another five towns are set to lose their last bank over the next two weeks with the big four banks giving notice to 35 more regional towns that they will be closing branches in the first half of 2023.

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Josh Sondergeld became a carer from a young age after his younger sister was involved in a motor vehicle accident

Josh Sondergeld has embraced Moranbah, and word has it that Moranbah has in turn embraced Josh. The registered nurse arrived in the town he’d never even heard of before, three years ago. “My partner Ashleigh, who is a teacher, finished uni the same year I did and she got a contract here in Moranbah,” Josh said.

“I had absolutely no idea about Moranbah at all.”

Though Josh has been a carer from a very young age, nursing wasn’t his first career choice.

“I did concerts; sound and lighting, for 15 years,” Josh said. “My grandmother was a nurse. She passed away, but beforehand I was up at the Wesley hospital spending time with her, and I just thought ‘I’m going to do it (nursing)’. “I also have an aunt who’s a nurse at Baralaba (in Central Queensland).” The sad circumstances that led to Josh adopting a carer role from an early age relate to his little sister being involved in a motor vehicle accident when she was just two years old. “I’ve always had an interest in nursing because my sister was reversed over by a car, which left her with an acquired brain injury," Josh said. “I’ve helped to look after her pretty much my whole life, along with mum and dad, because I was the eldest in the family. “I’ve always been around the medical field, and I loved looking after people.” After finishing a two-week placement in Moranbah Hospital, Josh was given a parttime contract immediately. Moranbah Hospital Director of Nursing Mel Hornery said they saw potential. “Josh was mature, and a quick learner,” she said.

Over the past three years, Josh has embraced both the town and the hospital, and thrown himself wholeheartedly into community life. He took a lead role in preparing for the hospital’s most recent accreditation and has also been promoted into the acting nurse unit manager role. He is just as active outside of work volunteering in the community, and he was snapped up due to his sound and lighting skills to help with the recent @MoranbahCarolsByCandlelight event. He also has a passion to see the rural facility through the build of its new hospital. “I love Moranbah – I like the community, and I’m heavily involved,” Josh said. “I think that also helps a bit with the job, because you develop a rapport with people. “A familiar face puts people at ease. “I have a huge passion to see this hospital through the next stage, to see the new hospital built and operating.” By Mackay Hospital and Health Service

Royalties Reinvestment Backs Excellence Hub

Isaac mayor Anne Baker (left) said royalties funding of $120 million is a win for investment in critical community infrastructure

The Isaac Resources Excellence Hub has been named a top priority commitment following last month’s coal royalties announcement. Isaac region, Queensland’s largest mining region, will be sharing in a $120 million investment for critical community infrastructure.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick announced funding in December, 2022 with priority commitments to the Isaac Resources Excellence Hub and the upgrade of Phillips Creek Bridge near Dysart. Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said the funding is a win for resource regions following years of advocating on behalf of Isaac communities.

“Coal mining is in Isaac’s DNA. This is about ensuring our communities are set up to embrace a future in a changing world,” Mayor Baker said. “This announcement follows critical new Moranbah Hospital investment to service the Bowen and Galilee basins, the beating heart of Queensland’s resources. “We are absolutely thrilled to see the return of royalties especially when Isaac coal mines continue to support the growth and prosperity of Queensland and the nation. “On behalf of the community, we look forward to working in partnership with the Queensland Government to ensure consistent royalties reinvestment.”

Council has advocated for the Phillips Creek Bridge replacement project to both the Queensland and Australian governments for a number of years. The bridge on Saraji Road is a key link between Dysart and Moranbah that provides access to several coal mines and for community safety. The Isaac Resources Excellence Hub’s vision is to help unlock innovation and access to technology to support research into mine rehabilitation and decarbonisation while also delivering education and reskilling opportunities at the coalface. The Queensland Government’s royalties reinvestment announcement follows budget commitments from the Australian Government in October this year.

2023 MORANBAH AUSTRALIA DAY TRIATHLON

BACK BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2023

Isaac Regional Council had to make the difficult decision to cancel the 2022 Moranbah Australia Day Triathlon, which was postponed in January. Despite Council’s best efforts to deliver the triathlon later in 2022, staffing and volunteer shortages have meant Council was unable to deliver last year’s event, once the swimming season had recommenced from September. The Moranbah Australia Day Triathlon will be back on 26 January 2023 with Council committing to a refreshed event in the new year. Individuals and teams who registered for 2022 will receive an invitation to register for the 2023 triathlon.

Council would like to thank the community for their support and understanding. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the 2023 event, please call Council’s Community Engagement, Programs and Events team through our Customer Service Centre on 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).

EVENT DETAILS Thursday 26 January 2023

6.30am - 8.30am Greg Cruickshank Aquatic Centre Jump start your health and fitness for 2023 by joining us at Moranbah's annual triathlon.

Entry is free, with the first 100 registrations getting a free singlet! There will be a free BBQ Breakfast and Presentation of winners when all competitors finish.

SCHEDULE

6.00am - Registration opens 6.20am - Race Briefing 6.30am - Adult start 6.45am - Mini kids

LONG COURSE (ages 16+)

• TRIATHLON 600m Swim | 20km Cycle | 5km Run • AQUABIKE 600m Swim | 20km Cycle • AQUATHON 600m Swim | 5km Run • DUATHLON 2.5km Run | 22km Cycle | 5km Run

TEAMS (ages 12+)

• TRIATHLON 600m Swim | 22km Cycle | 5km Run

ENTICER (ages 12+)

• TRIATHLON 300m Swim | 12km Cycle | 2.5km Run

MINI KIDS (ages 7 - 12yrs)

• TRIATHLON 50m Swim | 2km Cycle | 500m Run • AQUATHON - 50m Swim | 500m Run

FREE

• REGISTRATION

• RACE SINGLET

First 100 Receive a FREE Singlet* • BBQ Breakfast

• Roofing • Shed & Carport Kits • Flashings • Purlins & Battens • Rainwater • Merchant Steel • Insulated Panels • Outback Patio Kits • Cyclonic Colorbond® Fencing • Glass & Aluminium Fencing

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Is The Cancellation Of A $2 Billion Qld Mine A Sign Of Things To Come?

Glencore’s decision to withdraw from plans to develop a $2 billion coal project south-west of Emerald is a sign of things to come, says Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane, in the wake of the State Government’s decision to impose “excessive” new royalty taxes on coal producers. Glencore’s Valeria project south-west of Emerald would have created 1400 construction jobs and 1250 operational jobs. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said Glencore had made it clear the Queensland Government’s royalty hike was a factor in its decision to cancel the project. “Companies take into account a broad range of factors when considering multi-decade, large-scale investments in projects like this, and regulatory stability is one of those factors,” he said. “Glencore has commented that ‘abrupt decisions like the Queensland super royalty hike have damaged investor confidence, increased uncertainty and raised a red flag with key trading partners’, which is consistent with the QRC’s position from day one – this royalty hike will affect long-term investment in this state.”

Mr Macfarlane said previous Queensland governments have offered stable and consistent investment environments for resources projects, but that was no longer the case in Queensland. “The Queensland Government does not appear to appreciate the impact of its decision to lift coal royalty taxes to the highest rates in the world,” he said. “Short-term political decisions like this make it harder for companies to invest here and send a signal to shift their focus to other destinations that offer better returns to investors.”

Mr Macfarlane said the QRC has repeatedly warned the government of the longterm impact of its decision to over-tax coal producers on investment in resources projects across the board, not just coal. “Unfortunately, our concerns have fallen on deaf ears,” he said. “We now have a situation where major mining companies such as BHP, Peabody and Glencore are rethinking their investment plans for Queensland, which means every Queenslander loses out in terms of new jobs and business opportunities and the flow-on benefits from that.

“Sudden changes in the rules for investment discourage investors from future job-creating projects, which should be a major concern for any government.” Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox echoed the concern, saying the recent decision from Glencore to can their $2 billion investment into a mine in Queensland shows the cracks beginning to appear in Queensland’s coal sector. “One of the biggest tragedies in the withdrawal of the Glencore Project, are the job opportunities that will be lost. Regions like ours are built on these jobs. They bring so much local investment and boost our local economy,” Mr Willcox said. “Mining companies are used to the boom & bust cycle. So in good times like these, they use profits for further exploration, upgrade their mining equipment and rehabilitate previous mines sites which creates job opportunities within our region. “Instead, the coal royalties hike squashes further development, which will affect our region when coal prices reduce”. Mr Willcox criticised the State Government for making decisions that impede regional communities. “The profits being generated in Central Queensland should be reinvested in Central Queensland and not spent in the southeast corner”.

“This is happening again and again, and the people of Dawson are sick of it, especially when their roads are crumbling, the health infrastructure is failing and critical services aren’t being maintained,” Mr Willcox said.

“When we have city centric, and suburban obsessed governments, the whole nation suffers. Regions like Dawson do so much to generate the nation’s wealth, but we are being flat out neglected by a government who is happy to shout their own praise and boast of their budget, having little regard for those who bring about the profits. “Labor needs to govern for the entire state of Queensland, not just for the cities of the SE corner. They need to start looking after our rural and regional powerhouses.”

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is concerned that high coal royalties will result in the withdrawal of future coal projects in Queensland

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