A union and the Queensland Resources Council said the report was inconclusive because data did not consider FIFO workers. 

However, Councillor McMillan said the review of FIFO workers did highlight important local aspects. 

“It is extremely difficult for resources communities to compete with the outflow of cash both in royalties – $119 million for the Cloncurry Shire – and only receive back 1.7 per cent and in wages, which are $150,000-plus per worker,” she said.  

Cr McMillan, a registered nurse, said it was also “pleasing” the review panel observed FIFO’s pressure on local health services.

It was an issue Cr McMillan raised with Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt when he visited Mount Isa the week after the release of this year’s state budget. 

“Small communities need to have funds to support services like physios, social workers, occupational therapists, dentists - the list is endless,” she said. 

“Small communities need efficient road, rail and air networks; they need reliable, sustainable water supply.” 

Families were the key to the shire’s growth and the facilities to support them were health, education, sport and recreation.

“Otherwise we run the risk of losing entire communities,” she said.

The state president of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Steve Smyth, said the report did not mention exploitation of FIFO workers. 

“The report recommends doing nothing with the existing compulsory FIFO arrangements or to ensure workers have greater choice,” he said. 

“This means many workers will never have the option to live locally or in regional Queensland.”