Three new North West Queensland mining operations are likely to be banned from being 100 percent Fly In Fly Out under new state government legislation.
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In a letter to former Traeger Labor candidate Danielle Slade dated January 19, 2018, Queensland Coordinator General Barry Broe said MMG’s Dugald River, Glencore’s Lady Loretta Mine and Capricorn copper mine at Gunpowder were on a draft list to adhere to the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act (SSRC) 2017.
Mr Broe said the SSRC Act, which comes into force on March 30, ensured residents of communities near large resource projects benefited from the construction and operation of those projects.
“I have started consultation with councils, proponents, unions and key industry groups on an initial draft list,” Mr Broe said. “I can confirm that the draft list contains Capricorn Copper Mine, Lady Loretta Mine and Dugald River Mine as large resource projects with Mount Isa a nearby regional community for all three mines.”
Ms Slade contacted the Coordinator-General late last year and said his response was tremendous news for Mount Isa, Cloncurry and the wider region.
“The SSRC Act will prevent the use of 100 per cent fly-in, fly out (FIFO) workforce arrangements and amendments to the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991, also prevent discrimination against locals in the future recruitment of workers in these projects,” Ms Slade said.
“It will be mandatory for these mines to give preference to local people for employment. It will also be mandatory to give local Contractors and Businesses a 15% leeway on goods and services before using out of town businesses.”
Ms Slade said she was concerned mines and contract companies may find ways to get around the Act.
“Red Path’s two weeks on, two weeks off roster for Lady Loretta Mine makes it more ideal for FIFO rather than locals,” she said. “This is when we lobby our local state member to campaign and ensure mining companies abide by the principles and ideals of this legislation.”
“It is also vital that our federal member also lobbies for rosters that are family friendly and health and safety conscious for all Australians.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
