Surat Basin News March 2018

NEWS

Thursday, March 29, 2018

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Surat Basin INSIDE: The $750 million Santos Roma East project is set to creat 400 jobs – PAGE 3

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WELCOME

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

SNAP OF THE MONTH

◗ GOLDEN HUES: The sun sets on an Autumn day west of Roma.

From the editor

Business is the backbone of the Basin WELCOME to the April edition of the Surat Basin News.

The resources sector continues to make a massive contribution to our diverse region.

With announcements of projects creating 400 construction jobs and the Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise shining a light on the energy sector through one of their informative enterprise evenings, it’s easy to see why.

The resources sector contributed $55.1 billion to Queensland’s economy in the 2016/17 financial year, and supported the equivalent of 282,633 full-time jobs.

That equates to one in eight jobs across the state being directly effected by the resources sector.

The region continues to expand and improve its bottom line by diversifying the economy with agriculture, manufacturing, and energy.

Small, sustainable businesses take front and centre stage this edition, with Col Wilkie’s Body Works clocking up more than 80 years of service to the Toowoomba and surrounding region.

Queensland agriculture is also calling for vegetation management laws to be rejected in the wake of parliamentary sittings and hearings.

These stories, and many others within these pages, are testament to the fact that the growth and success of the region starts with each community working together.

— Marguerite Cuddihy

PHOTO: ALEXIA AUSTIN

Contents IN THE NEWS Santos’ Roma East Project .........................................................3 TSBE shines light on energy sector ...........................................4 Coal battle blasts off ..................................................................5 Muckadilla TopCrop Field Day ...................................................6 Indian chickpea tariff .................................................................8 Land valuations ..........................................................................9

DOWN TO BUSINESS ..........................................................................................7; 21; 24 OPINION .........................................................................................10; 16–17 PLACES AND FACES .............................................................................................19–20

The newspaper

The team

The Surat Basin News publishes every month and is 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, professionally designed and regionally topical, is a must read for anyone associated with the exciting Surat Basin.

ONLINE: Surat Basin News has gone online to ensure our readers in every corner of the country have the latest news sent directly to them. Go to: www.suratbasin.com.au.

PURCHASE FROM: Newsagents in Chinchilla, Roma, Dalby, Gladstone, Moura, Toowoomba, Calliope.

VISION: Surat Basin News will allow local businesses to network and communicate with everyone in the 1200 sq km basin, providing unprecedented access to new clients and markets. It will give a revealing insight into major industry while lifting the veil on current and proposed developments. It will be there for each and every announcement shaping the region’s future while profiling the colourful characters.

GENERAL MANAGER

Erika Brayshaw, Chinchilla

Phone 4672 9921, email Erika.Brayshaw@chinchillanews.com.au ADVERTISING TEAM Jodie Williams, Chinchilla Phone 4672 9900, email Jodie.Williams@chinchillanews.com.au Greg Latta, Roma Phone 4672 9927, email Greg.Latta@romawesternstarnews.com Nicole McDougall, Dalby Phone 4672 5500, email Nicole.McDougall@dalbyherald.com.au EDITORIAL

Marguerite Cuddihy, Roma

Phone 4578 4119, email Marguerite.Cuddihy@westernstarnews.com SURAT BASIN NEWS 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 PO Box 138, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla Q 4413 The Surat Basin News is printed by News Corp Australia.

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IN THE NEWS

Thursday, March 29, 2018 suratbasin.com.au

◗ IN THE PIPELINE: Santos executive vice president onshore upstream Brett Woods, minister for mines and energy Dr Anthony Lynham, Santos vice president upstream Queensland Rob Simpson.

PHOTO: CRAIG PERRY

Roma East set to create 400 jobs

Santos announces $750 million project THE massive Santos Roma East project is set to create 400 construction jobs as well as boost the state’s gas production to 70 per cent of the east coast supply.

The $750 million project will be developed over the next three years.

Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Santos’ investment in the Roma East Field would mean jobs, business opportunities and royalties for Queenslanders, as well as more gas supply for the Australian market and LNG exports.

“This development will offer jobs as well as significant local business opportunities, with 430 wells to be drilled, 420km of pipelines to be installed and 670km of powerlines to support the new gas infrastructure,” he said.

Santos’ executive vice-president onshore upstream Brett Woods said that as a proud Australian company, Santos was delighted to support jobs and investment in regional Queensland.

“The Roma East Project is part of a $900 million capital investment that Santos and our GLNG partners will make in upstream developments in the Maranoa, Western Downs, Central Highlands and Banana regions this year alone,” Mr Woods said.

‘‘

This development will offer jobs as well as significant local business opportunities.

“This project will add nearly 50 petajoules a year to gas production in Queensland in 2020 - equivalent to about 8 per cent of expected east coast domestic gas demand this year. This is great news for both the domestic gas market and our LNG exports,” he said.

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The Roma East project, which started this month, will be developed during the next three years. It involves bringing online another 480 wells, including drilling about 430 new wells.

The project will also include about 420km of water, gas gathering and other pipelines, 120 terajoules per day of additional compression, 670km of powerlines and about 25km of fibre optic cables.

A new water-handling facility for irrigation and more than 200ha of additional irrigation in the Roma area will improve livestock-carrying capacity for some local landholders.

This follows QGC’s 2016 $1.7 billion Charlie development, which will also bring more jobs to our communities and further drive economic development in our regions.

“It is a further demonstration that Queensland has the right policy settings as we continue to pave the way for industry to help meet the shortage in gas supply,” Dr Lynham said.

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IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

TSBE chairman addresses ASEAN-Australia Summit OUR region’s window into Asia was opened a little further last month, when Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise executive chairman, Shane Charles, was invited to speak as part of the ground-breaking ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Canberra.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted the Leaders of the Member States of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Secretary-General of ASEAN at the Summit, which was the first of its kind in Australia.

Mr Charles was invited to attend, present and be part of the conversation with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council on its first visit to Australia.

This was quite historic as it was the first launch of ASEAN BAC’s initiative the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network outside ASEAN. ASEAN BAC is a council of successful business CEOs from all ten ASEAN countries, appointed by their respective governments, to advise ASEAN leaders on establishing and building the ASEAN economic community including global trade and investment connections.

Mr Charles spoke about our diverse economy and strength in energy, resources, agriculture, health, education and logistics.

Of interest to Mr Charles is that these countries are seeking assistance with growing their economies.

“Whilst they are interested in importing some Australian

◗ INNOVATION: The inaugural Western Downs Major Project Pipeline Enterprise Evening event is set to be held at the Chinchilla Cultural Centre on April 18 and 19.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

TSBE Enterprise Evening

Energy sector in the spotlight EXCITING and innovative developments within our region will be highlighted at the inaugural Western Downs Major Project Pipeline Enterprise Evening event being held in Chinchilla on April 18 and 19.

Organised by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, in partnership with Western Downs Regional Council, the Major Project Pipeline evening will demonstrate the breadth of major project owners working in gas, coal, renewable, and alternate energies, further positioning Western Downs as a hub for development.

The Western Downs, known as the Energy Capital of Queensland, is the ideal location for this extended edition Enterprise Evening, which will also feature a second day of site tours. TSBE Surat Basin Supply Chain general manager, Reagan Parle, said the event would highlight the mix of available and possible energy sources in the Western Downs region.

“The Wednesday night will showcase technologies and opportunities to the large conference audience, and the site tours on Thursday will demonstrate applications to end-users,” Mr Parle said.

“The Enterprise Evening will also serve to outline specific business/tendering opportunities from the projects that will be featured,” he said.

Mr Parle said attendees would also hear about these projects’ timelines for development and how they procured goods and services. Some examples of the current and proposed projects that will be highlighted during the event include: AGL Coopers Gap Wind Farm $820 million (commenced); BOC’s Micro-LNG plant $80m (completed), Senex’s new gas project to Wandoan (proposed); and new solar farms (proposed and underway).

Over the past decade, the Western Downs has become the central point for resource development and with this in mind

TSBE has created this event, to present a snapshot of major projects in the region.

Mr Parle said the resource development had also promoted the growth of the renewable sector due to the upgrading of the network power grid capability.

“For example, traditional coal fired power stations are now sharing the modern grid with gas and renewable energy developers,” he said.

Western Downs Regional Council mayor Paul McVeigh described energy as “one of the four pillars” of his region’s economy.

“The renewables sector in the Western Downs is progressing at a remarkable pace," Cr McVeigh said.

"We currently have $5.5 billion worth of renewables on the books for the Western Downs, and of that $1.2 billion is under construction – this is happening right now, and it's a very exciting time for the Western Downs,” he said.

"The real strength of the Western Downs is our diverse economy, made up of energy, agriculture, intensive agriculture and manufacturing.

"We are also proud to have an agile and skilled workforce capable of working across these sectors, and our unemployment rate being one of the lowest in regional Queensland is evidence of that."

It is anticipated more than 200 guests will be in attendance to hear from an impressive line-up of speakers from the various resource sectors.

For more information about the Enterprise Evening event or to book, contact the TSBE office on 07 4639 4600.

VENUE: Chinchilla Cultural Centre TIME: 5.30pm, Wednesday, April 18, 2018 TO BOOK: www.tsbe.com.au/events

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Australia has much to offer this dynamic region and now is the time for Australian businesses to focus on our nearest neighbours and contribute to the once-in-ageneration opportunity the ASEAN region offers. products, an emerging need is for professional services to assist with growing their agricultural capability, and growing infrastructure needs,” Mr Charles said.

“ASEAN embodies opportunity, as in less than two decades, ASEAN’s combined GDP has more than doubled, accompanied by rapid growth in consumer spending, urbanisation and internet penetration,” he said.

ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organisation comprising ten Southeast Asian countries which promotes Pan-Asianism and intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational and socio-cultural integration amongst its members and other Asian countries, as well as globally.

Since its formation fifty years ago, by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, the organisation’s membership has expanded to include Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Its principal aims include accelerating economic growth, social progress, and sociocultural evolution among its members, alongside the protection of regional stability and the provision of a mechanism for member countries to resolve differences peacefully.

Mr Charles said that between 2012 and 2020, the ASEAN middle-class would more than double, from 190 million to 400 million people.

The cities of Southeast Asia are booming, with more than 90 million people expected to move to urban areas by 2030.

“Australia has much to offer this dynamic region and now is the time for Australian businesses to focus on our nearest neighbours and contribute to the once-in-a-generation opportunity the ASEAN region offers,” he said.

The Business Summit was aimed at helping Australian and ASEAN businesses with the know-how and connections needed to strengthen their economic partnership.

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IN THE NEWS A “SARCASTIC” exchange has emerged with a judge comparing a space shuttle trip to a mining firm’s pledge to convey respect for the court.

How’s the serenity?

Coal battle blasts off in first day of court THE latest legal battle involving New Acland Coal took a cosmic turn on Monday, March 19.

A “sarcastic” exchange emerged, with a judge comparing the chance of the mining firm following through with a pledge to improve respect for the court to him getting in a space shuttle.

NAC is asking the Supreme Court to review Member Paul Smith’s decision to reject the planned $900 million Oakey Stage 3 expansion.

The company submitted Mr Smith’s personal feelings may have “coloured” his objectivity in the lengthy case.

An exchange from the Land Court hearing a year ago, where the judge and an NAC barrister both admitted using sarcasm, was played to the Supreme Court.

Mr Smith was concerned NAC staff made comments to media which potentially brought the Land Court into disrepute.

The judge said TV and newspaper stories wrongly implied his personal holiday contributed to delays in the case.

An NAC barrister said his client never intended “any disrespect” of the court or the judge.

“Is NAC going to communicate that to media outlets involved?” Mr Smith asked.

“Well, we can,” barrister Peter Ambrose QC replied.

◗ COURT TRIAL: A community group previously objected to the proposed stage three of the New Acland mine.

“Well, I could get in a space shuttle...it doesn’t mean I’m going to.”

Mr Smith said he cancelled a holiday and held late-night sittings during the case.

NAC previously accused Mr Smith of “bias”.

On Monday, March 19, NAC also raised concerns about him referring in his judgment to The Castle.

The film reference was made in relation to one of Acland’s last residents, Glen Beutel, who refused to sell his properties to NAC. Mr Beutel was portrayed as an underdog, like character Darryl Kerrigan was in the movie.

from this investment.

“The program will save our schools an estimated $10.2 million a year.

“Our state schools are among the government’s largest energy users, with an annual energy bill of more than $50 million.

“This program will be a game changer and the reduced environmental impact will be significant.

“By reducing costs and reinvesting savings into the program, we can ensure state schools across Queensland have more sustainable energy use into the future.”

Mrs Grace said the Advancing Clean Energy Schools program would be delivered in different stages.

“In many ways the truth of Mr Beutel’s positon is far in excess of the fiction of The Castle,” Mr Smith wrote in one paragraph of his 450-page judgment.

On Monday, NAC said Mr Beutel never suggested removing buildings in Acland was part of any dirty tactics.

NAC counsel Damian Clothier QC said the company was concerned about alleged insinuations it had behaved in “sneaky” ways.

Issues including noise, intergenerational equity and groundwater were also mentioned on Monday.

The trial continues.

— John Weekes, NewsRegional

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Solar set to power region’s schools SCHOOLS across southwest Queensland have been given the green light to receive solar power in the near future as the Palaszczuk Government begins a major push on renewable energy in Queensland state schools.

Education Minister Grace Grace said the $97 million Advancing Clean Energy Schools program would be a benefit to rural schools.

“Dalby State High School, Charleville State High School, Roma State College and St George State School will be part of the more than 800 schools over the next three years to have the installation of solar power and energy efficiency measures,” Mrs Grace said.

“This isn’t just great news for our local schools but is also an opportunity for our local suppliers, businesses and tradies to benefit

PHOTO: FILE

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IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

Driving job growth THE Queensland resources sector was “ready, willing and able” to drive stronger employment growth in the state’s economy with confirmation in March that unemployment remained stubbornly above 6 per cent.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the resources sector delivered 12.7 per cent growth in direct full-time equivalent jobs growing to more than 38,000 men and women across the state.

“Queensland’s resources sector is driving jobs and investment. It made a $55.1 billion contribution to Queensland’s economy last financial year (2016-17), supporting the equivalent of 282,633 full-time jobs or one in every eight jobs in Queensland,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been committed to maintaining an unemployment rate with a ‘five in front of it’.

The resources sector shares the Government’s ambition, and we are ready, willing and able to deliver.

“The sector is determined to work with the Government, through stable policy and access to resources for sustainable coal, mineral and gas developments, to attract new investment to Queensland and generate new jobs for Queenslanders.”

Snapshot of resources jobs this financial year: ■ Santos to invest $900m in gas developments – 400 construction jobs ■ New Century Resources and Santos gas supply deal – 240 jobs ■ BMA apprentices start work in central Queensland – 40 jobs ■ Batchfire Callide – 450 jobs ■ Glencore Copper – 200 jobs ■ Arrow and Shell’s QCLNG sales agreement – 1000 jobs ■ Senex wins petroleum tender – 150 jobs Employment growth in the sector is leading to greater diversity. Indigenous employment in the Queensland resources sector has outstripped growth across the total resources sector workforce, doubling in ten years. In 2006, Indigenous people comprised 3 percent of the state’s workforce in resources, whereas in 2016, it had grown to 4 percent. Queensland’s Indigenous population is 4 percent which places the resources sector as one of the few industries with a genuine representation.

◗ TOP CROP: Jon Hacker, Scott Loughnan, Cr Cameron O'Neil, Cr Janelle Stanford, Shaun Nolan, Gavin Burey and Rhonda Toms-Morgan at the Muckadilla TopCrop Field Day. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Council supports field day WITH the latest farming technologies on display, Maranoa Regional Council was pleased to support Muckadilla TopCrop Field Day, with $9868 provided by Council’s Community Grants program.

Councillor Cameron O’Neil said that with over 100 landholders, speakers and sponsors in attendance, the TopCrop Field Day held at Gavin Burey’s property, Maree Downs, in March, was a great success.

"Councillor Janelle Stanford and myself went along for the day to support the TopCrop Field Day team for what was an informative agricultural industry field day," Cr O’Neil said.

"This is the second year this event has been run and the first with Council’s assistance. I strongly support initiatives like this field day and I encourage groups interested in running events like this to apply for support from Council’s community grants program.

"Given the recent rain, there was a real sense of positivity from the landholders who attended – it was great to see."

Council provided over $45,000 to community groups across the region in the last round of community grants.

The next round will open on August 1 and close on September 30, 2018.

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WITH Queensland and in particular the Darling Downs at the forefront of the nation’s solar farm boom, new planning and community engagement guidelines are in the development stage to help foster what is a thriving industry.

These guidelines will help provide much-needed information to stakeholders, including those in local government, on the requirements throughout the project development process to ensure they meet their social licence to operate.

The Queensland Farmers Federation, local government and prominent government officers have been working in unison to develop the most effective guidelines to guarantee the prosperity of the state’s renewables boom moving forward.

Natural resources, mines and energy minister Dr Anthony Lynham said with 17 large-scale solar farms under construction across the state and another 40-plus potentials, specific planning guidelines were needed.

“We are becoming the solar energy state,” Dr Lynham said.

“Large-scale solar brings jobs and economic benefits for communities, but they can also bring their own set of planning challenges.

“The right planning guidelines need to be in place to ensure communities, developers, councils and investors are all on the same page about what is best for Queensland.”

The guidelines are expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

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DOWN TO BUSINESS The team can complete almost any job that comes their way and with the latest products and tools of the trade, the business works hard to be environmentally conscious and to stay green.

80 years and going strong

Wilkie family gets down to business FOR a family owned business to have not only survived but prospered in 80-plus years of trading – it goes without saying – they’re doing something right.

Col Wilkie Body Works, a smash repairs and painting business in Toowoomba, is a force to be reckoned with. The secret to their success, it seems, has always been in the Wilkie family’s ability to stay ahead of the curve.

Fast forward 82 years and a few things have changed. Back in 1935, Ben Wilkie was a one-man band in his workshop until his son Col and wife Gail took over in 1968.

Col’s son, Steve, is the third generation of the Wilkies to take the reins, along with his sister Kerri Crisp, who has stepped in as office manager with Steve’s wife Hannah to make sure the administration side of the business runs seamlessly.

The pair have also come on board to help maintain the business’ dedication to professional and exceptional service.

Steve said the business had evolved with changes in technology and advancements in repair methods and paint systems.

“We do smash repairs, all big and all small jobs and everything in between,” he said.

“We deal directly with your insurance company to make sure

◗ ON THE JOB: Steve Wilkie, owner of Col Wilkie Body Works and Bert Webster, estimator.

a claim is stress free and have you back on the road as quickly as possible. A lot of people do not know that you have a choice of repairer – your policy, your choice. We also offer a lifetime warranty on our repairs.”

With around 20 staff on the ground, Col Wilkie Body Works can take on just about any job, even light commercial work.

They offer a courtesy pick up in the Toowoomba region as well as cost effective rates for towing and freighting from regional areas.

Bert Webster has joined the team to take on the role of estimator. Bert makes regular trips to Western Queensland and regional areas for quotes and inspections and is available by appointment.

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Works can provide Dominator scratch resistant spray on tub liner. They also offer windscreen repairs and replacements, air conditioning and radiator repairs, parts, service and repairs.

The team can complete almost any job that comes their way and with the latest products and tools of the trade, the business works hard to be environmentally conscious and to stay green.

Steve said the business employs strict environmental control over its use of materials.

“We only use the best water-based paint now as well as low VOC primers,” he said.

The business has recently been environmentally accredited, awarded green stamp from the Motor Trades Association of QLD. Col Wilkie Body Works is truly a one-stop shop when it comes to body works and smash repairs.

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IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

Policy surprises tarnish state’s investment appeal QUEENSLAND’S attractiveness as an investment destination for mining has dropped out of the global top ten, according to a report from Canada’s Fraser Institute. Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the clear message was that global investors have marked Queensland down because of policy uncertainty.

“Investors don’t like surprises, which is why the sector is always talking about the need for policy certainty,” said Mr Macfarlane.

◗ LOCAL PRODUCERS: Warra farmers Jeff and Brendan Taylor on the family farm, Broadlea.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Tariff creates market uncertainty THE region’s farmers will reduce the quantity of future chickpea crops as the Indian tariff on the export remains at 60 per cent.

The increase hit at the start of the month, impacting the Australian market which in 2016-17 exported $1.1 billion worth of chickpeas to India.

Warra farmer Brendan Taylor said the tariff would affect the quantity of chickpeas he grows, but due to high prices in recent years, he doesn’t expect it to be too problematic.

“Our area will be scaled back probably, as a result of the Indian tariff. At this point in time, it’s had a dramatic impact on the export of chickpeas, but one thing you have to keep in mind is that largely, one of the largest reasons why the chickpea price over the last four years or so has been so high, has been because India’s domestic production has been very low due to drought. Australia did happen to be in the right place at the right time to take advantage of that.”

In a statement, Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud was said to continue to make representations to the Indian government regarding the tariff.

“Chickpea exports to India have increased by 991 per cent over the past five years and our farmers have been getting world record prices for their produce,” the statement said.

“The decision by the Indian Government to increase chickpea tariffs is disappointing but demonstrates why this government is constantly focussed on developing new markets, particularly to minimise market disruption.

“Since December 21, 2017, the department has assisted Australian exporters to change the destination of exported lentils and chickpeas from India to other importing countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. As of March 2, 2018, 60 consignments have been redirected.”

‘‘

The clear challenge in the year ahead is to deliver policy certainty that investors expect.

“The Queensland Government needs to be aware investors are watching every potential change in policy as having a direct impact on the investment profile of the State. The clear challenge in the year ahead is to deliver policy certainty that investors expect. A stable regulatory environment is the only way to see Queensland recognised as the best mining jurisdiction in the world."

On a positive note, Queensland continued to receive recognition for its quality mineral deposits moving up one spot to number three in the world – leapfrogging Western Australia to become Australia’s most geologically prospective jurisdiction.

“Queensland’s geological assets are globally well known, with one of the richest and diverse mineral provinces in the world, including the North West Minerals Province, bauxite across Cape York and some of the best quality coal,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“We have the geology the world wants, investors just need to see a steady hand on the policy lever.”

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9

IN THE NEWS

Thursday, March 29, 2018 suratbasin.com.au

Applying biosecurity on your property

◗ VALUE ADDED: A 2018 annual land valuation program snapshot from across the southwest.

Shock land valuations

Market optimism Jan Chambers, said the council would be discussing rate changes in the wake of increased valuations.

"We were surprised by the extent of the rise. We knew it would go up some, but didn't realise to this extent. In relation to the valuations, they have increased significantly in the Maranoa and, therefore, as part of our next budget discussions, we will have to look into it.”

Murweh CEO Neil Polglase said the valuation rise was positive in the face of the current climate.

"While the region is in drought, I think it's obvious that cattle prices are holding their own and maintaining current (land) value. The Murweh Council understands that there is a reduction in the residential valuations for the shire, so we will be determining our grading policies (for rates) based on the new valuations.”

The Balonne region, which was excluded from this year's report, was valued in 2017. In that report, Balonne Shire Council land values had an overall increase of 17 per cent, with the value of rural production land rising 32.6 per cent and residential land falling 35.4 per cent in comparison to 2015 values.

The 2018 valuations will take effect on June 30.

◗ The GasFields Commission hosted a biosecurity workshop in Kogan last month with representatives from AgForce Queensland, Livestock Biosecurity Network and the CSG Compliance Unit.

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

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RESIDENTS in Murweh and the Maranoa woke up to a surprise last month with the new land valuation release detailing large increases in the value of land across the southwest.

Maranoa boasted a 59.6 per cent increase in the value of rural primary production land, with Murweh following suit with a 52.9 per cent rise. The sharp increase to economic activity and a "continued level of optimism that surrounded rural land markets during 2017” are the reasons given for the sharp increases by State Valuer-General, Neil Bray.

"Land values are generally static since the last valuation in the urban centres with significant increases in the rural property market.

“The median residential land value within the town of Roma remained unchanged at $66,000. The continuing effects of strengthened beef commodity prices and low interest rates have generally resulted in significant increases in rural property markets throughout the regional councils.”

The figures were less staggering when it came to residential values. Maranoa recorded a slight 5.8 per cent increase, and residential value in Murweh dropped 57.9 per cent.

Maranoa Deputy Mayor and portfolio chairman for finance,

THE GasFields Commission is holding a series of community information sessions on biosecurity management in response to concerns raised by landholders.

The Commission hosted the first workshop in Kogan last month along with representatives from AgForce Queensland, Livestock Biosecurity Network and the CSG Compliance Unit.

More than 20 people attended the session with presentations on the Land Access Code, property mapping, gate signage and biosecurity risk assessments.

“One of the Commission’s main functions is to engage with landholders and local governments, find out what concerns they may have and then address those concerns in a range of ways including community meetings like this one at Kogan,” GasFields Commission CEO Carolyn Collins said.

“Landholders around Dalby raised biosecurity as one of their concerns a few months ago so we worked with the experts to create this session, a simple checklist and other information to help them work through the issues.”

The main biosecurity issues raised by landholders were the spread of weeds and strategies to control them.

Resource companies are obligated to minimise any biosecurity risks from their activities and landholders are being urged to work with the companies to establish clear priorities specific to their properties.

The GasFields Commission and AgForce have developed a simple checklist for landholders working with resource companies on biosecurity planning so they can tick off the various stages as they work through the process.

Anyone interested can download it from The GasFields Commission website http://www.gasfieldscommissionqld. org.au/landholders/farmbiosecurity.html.

The Commission is planning to hold similar information sessions in other areas where biosecurity is raised as a concern. The GasFields Commission is committed to informing and engaging with all stakeholders involved in the gas industry and addressing issues of concern.

10

OPINION

Exploration means more gas and jobs

Maranoa Electorate leads the way

RHYS TURNER

DAVID LITTLEPROUD

APPEA Queensland Director

THE recent announcement that more Queensland acreage has been opened up for gas exploration means two things, more gas and more local jobs.

Just last month Central Petroleum and Armour Energy secured the rights to 400 hectares just north of the townships of Miles and Surat.

This announcement is the latest in a string of new Queensland industry projects designed to bring more gas supply to market.

Building on these two, in the past year we have seen other significant announcements from Arrow Energy, Shell Australia, and Senex to bring on new supply.

Santos has also announced that it would spend close to a billion dollars on its Roma East project, whilst APLNG CEO

‘‘

While other states dither or, worse, lock-up urgently needed gas resources, Queensland gets on with the job.

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Warwick King revealed that his company is expected to spend $3 billion on activities this calendar year.

While other states dither or, worse, lock-up urgently needed gas resources, Queensland gets on with the job.

Queenslanders are ultimately the major beneficiaries of gas development.

In 2015-16 alone, Queensland’s gas industry directly and indirectly supported almost 40,000 jobs, and provided more than $12 billion in total value-added activities in the state through direct, indirect and consumption-based activities.

With a further 6000 square kilometres being made available for exploration, Queensland is keeping this momentum going.

The gas industry stands ready to invest, bring on even more supply and create more jobs.

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Federal Member for Maranoa

NEWLY signed trade agreements, the local roll-out of super-fast internet and energy projects are set to push our region forward and were discussed when I attended the Miles and District of Commerce and Community Business Year Ahead Dinner in March.

Our produce is world-renowned for being clean and green so it makes sense to harness the value of our quality products and services and market it on the world stage through significant international trade deals – like the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement – to grow regional economies. This month the TPP was signed and is one of the most comprehensive trade deals concluded and will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone worth $13.7 trillion.

In Maranoa, this agreement means our agricultural and horticultural industries are set to be the biggest winners from tariff reductions on more than $4.3 billion of Australia’s agricultural export products, with preferential access or tariff reductions on a further $2.1 billion of our agricultural exports including beef, dairy, cereals and wine.

The TPP’s 11 countries include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam and with the NBN currently being rolled out in our region, access to the world stage is truly at your fingertips in the Surat Basin.

Work has already started to connect about 1000 homes and businesses in Miles to the fibre-to-the-node network with the service set to be available during September.

In Chinchilla, NBN should be available at the end of this month and Dalby was the first town in Maranoa to be connected since January last year.

Better access to communications infrastructure is one of my key commitments and this roll-out sets out a clear

message – the NBN’s super-fast broadband is continuing to roll out across our rural communities.

Bush communities in Maranoa will greatly benefit from e-learning, tele-medicine, video conferencing, tourism and business opportunities which a faster internet connection will provide. The progress of renewables was also a discussion topic at the dinner and coal, especially local jobs and reliable electricity generated down the road at the Kogan Creek Power Station, remain an important part of our baseload power. There are some exciting renewable energy projects in Maranoa but I believe coal remains a vital part of our baseload system because we can’t replace our base with something intermittent and very costly.

Whether you’re a senior, family, producer or small business owner – sky-high energy prices hurt us all and we need to stand up against Queensland Labor’s reckless rush towards renewables as wind and solar power cost considerably more than coal.

Nationally we’ve seen Labor close coal-fired power stations without any attempts being made to replace them with other sources of reliable baseload power and Queensland Labor released a report which included an option to close one of our state’s coal fired power stations – this would be a disaster for Western Downs communities with jobs reliant on the state-owned Kogan Creek Power Station.

It makes sense to capture Queensland’s sun through renewable energy – like the federally-funded solar projects at Longreach and Dalby in this electorate – but not at the cost of sky-high power prices. I’m critical because the likely outcome of Labor’s unrealistic target is that consumers, particularly those who can least afford it, will be hit hard by high energy prices in Queensland and we’ll go down a path like South Australia’s compromised energy security where they endured a state-wide blackout. The Coalition Federal Government is on track to meet and beat our Renewable Energy Target of 23.5 per cent by 2020 and we’re set to achieve this through responsible and sustainable measures.

Clearing fodder to feed stock not an issue LANDHOLDERS will still be able to maintain their land and clear fodder trees to feed their stock, for firebreaks and along fence lines, under vegetation management legislation introduced by the Palaszczuk Government.

The Government is very conscious of the fact that the vast majority of landowners are and are continuing to do the right thing in balancing their agricultural needs with those of the environment.

We also are meeting our commitment to retain the self-assessable codes that allow landholders to maintain their land. Reinstating a responsible and vegetation management and protection framework for Queensland does not create competing interests between agriculture and conservation.

We greatly value the contribution our $60 billion agricultural industry makes to the Queensland economy and we continue to work with them to grow their industry.

In fact, history shows that Queensland’s farmers can and have flourished previously under Labor’s sustainable vegetation management laws.

This legislation introduced last week, reflects Labor’s proud record of protecting our climate, wildlife and environment, and meets our election commitment to the Queenslanders who re-elected us to restore our world-leading vegetation management laws.

This legislation is backed by science, expertly prepared by the Queensland Herbarium and peer reviewed by the CSIRO. The final makeup of that legislation will be guided by the multi-party State Development, Natural Resources and Agriculture Industry Development Committee through their report back to Parliament on April 23.

There will be a number of public briefings and metropolitan and regional public hearings.

People also are invited to make public submissions to the Committee via sdnraidc@parliament.qld.gov.au I would encourage those wishing to have their voice heard on this make representations to the Committee.

— Dr Anthony Lynham, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy

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16

OPINION

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Communicate, engage and inform

Ill-informed laws will affect agriculture

CAROLYN COLLINS

ANN LEAHY

SHANE CHARLES

CEO Gasfields Commission

Member for Warrego

THE State Labor Government’s Vegetation Management Laws are offensive, ill-informed and will tie farmers up in red tape and threaten food and fibre security.

Landholders in southwest Queensland have every reason to be outraged by these laws thrust upon them by a Labor Government who came to power on preferences from the Greens, Katter Party and One Nation.

The LNP and I are taking up the fight to defend farmers and their property rights and we will fight Labor at every turn.Katter and One Nation parties have masqueraded as conservative to voters – only to deliver through their preference decisions, a devastating outcome on vegetation management to landholders from a green leaning Labor State Government.

The Katter and One Nation Party leaders have to take responsibility for misleading the voters of Queensland – their decision to preference Labor candidates ahead of LNP candidates has given Queenslanders a majority Labor Government with a green ideological agenda that is not based on science or fact. These preference deals resulted in the LNP losing seats like Redlands, Aspley, Mansfield and up to five others. Labor’s Vegetation Laws will devastate landholders’ ability to sustainably manage their properties, hurt small businesses in local towns, and rip away millions of dollars worth of future growth in the agricultural sector.

The LNP is fighting tooth and nail to defend farmers – join the fight by signing the petition: www.fightforfarmers.com.au At the time of this edition going to print, formal submissions have closed to the State Development, Natural Resources and Agricultural Industry Development Parliamentary Committee. However people can still keep up to date by signing up to the alerts from the Committee, as there is likely to be public and regional hearings on this legislation. Go to http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au if you wish to receive the email alerts.

The Surat Basin continues to grow TSBE Executive Chairman

THE GasFields Commission has just 11 staff. We can’t be all things to all people. That’s why one of our key values is teamwork and collaboration – if we don’t know the answers then we’ll find out who does. Over the past few months the Commission has held and supported a range of different community information sessions about alternative dispute resolution, the workings of the Land Court and most recently biosecurity. Working in collaboration with our colleagues from AgForce Queensland, Livestock Biosecurity Network and the CSG Compliance Unit, the Commission pulled together a range of expertise to address biosecurity concerns raised by landholders at Kogan. The information session followed months of planning, with more than 20 people taking advantage of presentations on the Land Access Code, property mapping, gate signage and biosecurity risk assessments. The primary biosecurity issue was the spread of weeds and the need for strategies to control them.

As a result, the GasFields Commission and AgForce developed a simple checklist for landholders working with resource companies on biosecurity planning so they can tick off the various stages as they work through the process.

Anyone who is interested can download it from our website.

It’s all part of what the GasFields Commission is about – communicate, engage and inform so that people can make decisions based on facts. We work closely with people and institutions such as the University of Queensland, CSIRO, the Land Court of Queensland, AgForce, Livestock Biosecurity Network, the CSG Compliance Unit, Department of Environment and Science and a wide range of others to bring our stakeholders the latest information.

Our regional engagement officers in Roma and Dalby are always watchful for issues that need addressing and our whole team is equipped to be mobile and responsive to that need. We’re planning to hold more biosecurity information sessions in other areas identified as needing our services.

THERE is nothing one dimensional about the Surat Basin Region. Economic Development is an odd term that I suspect many people here are a little unsure of what it actually means. Quite simply – it means improving the economic outlook for a community. The difficulty lies in how to measure it, but particularly for regional communities we are able to identify that a wide and diverse economy is important. That makes sense right? In rural communities, if we have a drought, the town struggles. What if however, we have resources, education, tourism, health and professional services? Encouraging a whole range of industries is important so that we can better ride out any bumps in the economy. TSBE gave evidence recently to the Senate Inquiry into Regional Development and Decentralisation.

We were able to talk about how the region is actively looking to different types of agriculture, including intensive agriculture, to value add, we are living with and embracing the resource sector, and we are embracing and welcoming the renewable industry. For too long rural communities throughout Australia have been declining in population due to a lack of opportunities and education for their residents, and their children. We have stemmed this tide in the Surat Basin since the gas industry has come to town.

There is a continual need for all levels of government to look to new opportunities to ensure that our economy continues to grow and diversify.

One quarter of the year is nearly through and as expected economic conditions are improving.

TSBE held a fantastic Intensive Agriculture Conference in Dalby recently that identified a number of opportunities in that space, and of course we have seen two domestic gas announcements in the region being awarded to Armour Energy and Central Petroleum. There is a lot of interest and a great deal of activity in the Surat Basin. As always, there is nowhere else in Australia that I would rather be.

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Insecure work is out of control DAN MCGAW

ETU South West Queensland State Organiser

2018 will provide a much needed boost for jobs in the southwest and Darling Downs, with over 14 solar farms either under construction or planned to commence. Projects up to 2000 MW are proposed and will see an influx of thousands of workers, giving a much needed boost post the Surat Basin Gas construction boom. Unfortunately the projects so far are utilising labour hire workforces on a flat rate with no allowances. This is not a new trend but something that needs addressing before it’s out of control. There has been a massive shift to labour hire in the corporate world over the last few years and it is definitely a planned business model, designed to drive down wages, water down safety and create insecure workplaces.

Done well, labour hire arrangements offer a convenient means through which employers can fill short term vacancies or respond to temporary periods of high demand and provide employees with opportunities for flexible working arrangements, alternative pathways to ongoing employment and development of a diverse range of skills and contacts through working with multiple employers.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that compared with their permanent employee counterparts, labour hire workers are paid lower wages, afforded fewer opportunities for training/promotion or advancement, are made to perform higher risk duties and have lower levels of financial and employment security.

Thankfully the ALP State Government have an inquiry into the labour hire industry in Queensland that will introduce licensing for labour hire companies. Put simply, labour hire is used by big business to drive down wages and conditions and to have a complaint workforce. If you’re employed as a casual through a labour hire company, you are less likely to speak up about a safety issue because you will be let go with only four hours’ notice. Insecure work is out of control in this country and its time to change the rules.

17

OPINION

QRC is calling for award nominations IAN MACFARLANE QRC Chief Executive

THE Queensland Resources Council is calling for nominations for its annual Indigenous Awards to celebrate excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the state’s resources sector. QRC Chief Executive Ian Macfarlane said the Queensland resources sector was providing more jobs and opportunities for Indigenous Australians, as acknowledged in the Closing the Gap report last month.

“The Closing the Gap 2018 update reported 6599 Indigenous Australians were employed by the mining industry and increased by 250 per cent since 2006. The number of non-Indigenous Australians employed in mining had increased by 150 per cent over the same period.

Mr Macfarlane said the fifth annual awards, to be presented during Reconciliation Week in May, provided the opportunity to showcase Indigenous role models and ambassadors for the Queensland resources sector.

QRC is now accepting nominations across six award categories: ■ Indigenous Advocacy Award ■ Exceptional Indigenous Person in Queensland Resources Award: recognises exceptional achievement by an Indigenous person working with the Queensland resources sector in any occupation or profession ■ Exceptional Indigenous Business in Queensland Resources Award ■ Best Company Indigenous Procurement Initiative Award ■ Best Company Indigenous Employment and Training Initiative Award ■ Exceptional Indigenous Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy Student Award For more information and to access the nomination forms, visit www.judgify.me/2018IndigenousAwards.

Showcasing our community PAUL MCVEIGH

Western Downs Mayor

WE HAVE just enjoyed an incredibly exciting month here on the Western Downs, with so much happening that showcases the liveability of our community.

It was with great pride I watched our 33 baton bearers for the Queen’s Baton Relay, supporting the Commonwealth Games, as the baton made its way through our region and stopped in Dalby.

Our region has a reputation for producing great sporting talent, and it was a great atmosphere with our residents out in the street supporting the Commonwealth Games in our regional centre.

March also saw the official launch of our inaugural Big Skies Festival, which kicks off this month with the Dalby Picnic Races and ends with a bang on our Day on the Plain rock concert and the Food and Fibre Festival.

We’re really pleased to bring local boys Luke and Cody Cook on board as Big Skies ambassadors, and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors that will be travelling to our region this month. We recently travelled with some of the councillors up through the more remote parts of our region as part of council’s regional road tour.

Travelling through the country north-east and north-west of Wandoan, we held onsite and property meetings.

This gave our more isolated residents better access to councillors and allowed them to discuss their concerns and share feedback about the council initiatives they are enjoying in our community.

I’d also like to recognise the work being done through Food Leaders Australia and TSBE with their Emerging Exporters Program. This program is about helping food and agricultural businesses to take that next step in becoming exporters and reaching national and international markets.

Council is proud to support the opportunities provided by FLA and TSBE, and the economic diversity this continues to bring to our region.

18

IN THE NEWS

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

Supporting a bold vision to grow agriculture into a $100 billion industry MINISTER for agriculture and water resources David Littleproud has welcomed the release of the National Farmers’ Federation blueprint, Talking 2030: Growing agriculture into a $100 billion industry.

“A bold vision for a bold industry,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The Coalition Government is investing to grow agriculture and its support of NFF’s ambitious vision for agriculture to become a $100 billion industry by 2030.

“Nothing worth doing is ever easy and this won’t be, but with a clear strategy in place and good policies in place, the sector will be prepared to take on the challenges ahead.

“Agriculture has always been one of the key drivers of the Australian economy and was the largest contributor to national GDP growth in 2016-17, driven by our dedicated, resolute and innovative farmers.

“We are a trading nation and our future growth in agriculture depends on opening up more markets and adapting to consumer preferences.

“More than ever before people are interested in where

‘‘

Agriculture has always been one of the key drivers of the Australian economy and was the largest contributor to national GDP growth in 2016-17, driven by our dedicated, resolute and innovative farmers.

◗ GROWTH: Penelope (Penny) Nugent is a civil engineer with Aurecon. Engineering is among the top sectors increasing job ad growth on SEEK across Australia.

PHOTO: ANNETTE DEW

Where are the jobs in 2018?

SEEK reveals where the work is NEW infrastructure projects and an ageing workforce are opening up the Australian job market, with 16.2 per cent more job ads on SEEK this February than last year.

The good news for jobseekers is driven largely by ad growth in mining, resources and energy (up 45 per cent year on year), farming, animal and conservation (32 per cent), information and communication technology (26 per cent), engineering (25 per cent) and trades and services (25 per cent).

All states and territories experienced annual job ad growth, led by Tasmania (34.9 per cent), Victoria (19.1 per cent) and Western Australia (18.9 per cent).

More than $34 billion of engineering construction work was done in the September quarter across both public and private sectors, Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed.

“There are a number of key infrastructure projects underway across Australia, including the Perth-to-Forrestfield Airport Rail Link,” Ms Banks said.

“We are seeing particularly strong demand for engineering skills in Western Australia ... and job growth in this sector is expected to continue.”

Aurecon civil engineer Penny Nugent, based in Brisbane, said she had noticed increasing numbers of engineering jobs since she entered the sector through the company’s graduate program five years ago.

“The demand has definitely increased,” she said.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time to become an engineer. You have the opportunity to lead change and leave a legacy.

“You need to have the technical skills but also need the soft skills, such as being able to apply and communicate what you know.”

ABS data showed the average Australian farmer was aged 56, meaning many were approaching retirement and putting jobs back on the market.

Ms Banks said there was solid job ad growth in sectors including sheep and wool, grain and cattle.

She said demand was pushed along by digital disruption, increased data volumes and insights-hungry internal departments keen to reduce costs and boost revenue.

“New sources of data, such as from Internet of Things (IoT) devices, social media and mobile devices, means business now has huge inflows of data but need skilled analytics professionals to transform the data into insights the business can use,” she said.

“Today you’ll find an analytics team in all industries and across all departments.”

The SEEK research revealed job ad growth in every employment sector in the year to February except advertising, arts and media, which dropped 7 per cent year on year.

— Melanie Burgess, NewsRegional

their food comes from and how it is produced. Australia stands to benefit as a producer of high quality, highly sought after produce.

“The trade deals we are putting in place in Asia and across the world will be a key driver to reaching this target—70 per cent of our agricultural production is already being exported.

“Asia is expected to be the 2nd largest contributor to future world population growth, growing by 750 million people by 2050, so that’s a lot of mouths to feed.

“Our investments in the Inland Rail, water infrastructure, rural R&D, innovation and technology will also help drive the sector over the next decade.

“I have a real sense of optimism for the agriculture sector and the potential it has for the future.

“Thanks to NFF President, Fiona Simson, CEO, Tony Mahar and the team at the NFF for developing this comprehensive roadmap for agriculture for the next 12 years.

“I encourage everyone to get involved as the NFF heads around the country on its Talking 2030 tour.”

View the report at: www.nff.org.au

◗ BOLD VISION: Minister for agriculture and water resources David Littleproud has welcomed the release of the National Farmers' Federation blueprint, Talking 2030: Growing agriculture into a $100 billion industry. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Thursday, March 29, 2018 suratbasin.com.au

19

PLACES AND FACES

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PLACES AND FACES

◗ Janine Milne and Tania Fraser from Dalby State High School’s ag program.

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

◗ Jason Lipp of NAB Agribusiness, Toowoomba, and Mark Young, Young's Farm, Kingaroy.

◗ WDRC’s Jodie Taylor, WDRC Cr Carolyn Tillman, and Craig Leschke, Retracom Toowoomba.

◗ Mitchell Sharrock, Colliers International, Toowoomba, chats with Rob Fraser of Fraser Values, Chinchilla at the conference.

◗ OUT AND ABOUT: Tracy Cooper and Maria Nolan of Seechange Consulting, Brisbane, catch up with WDRC Cr Kaye Maguire (centre) at TSBE’s Intensive Ag Conference in Dalby at the beginning of March.

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DOWN TO BUSINESS

Thursday, March 29, 2018 suratbasin.com.au

Countdown to bin the plastic bag

◗ STILL OPEN: Guri Singh said his cafe will not be closing down.

PHOTO: MICHAEL DOYLE

Stores here to stay DALBY residents will not be losing some of their favourite stores, as recent issues with Retail Food Group will not affect the region.

The retail giant said it would be closing up to 200 stores across Australia, but none of these closures would affect the Brumby’s Bakery, Donut King or Michel’s Patisserie in town.

Michel’s Patisserie manager Guri Singh said his cafe would not be closing down.

“We have had lots of people come up and ask when we are closing, but we will not be closing down,” Mr Singh said.

“I have spoken with the owner and he said we will keep going.

“Recently I have actually seen an increase in business.”

Donut King manager Deb Short said her store was doing very good business, and she did not foresee a closure any time soon.

“We have been going strong for 12 years and plan on continuing to serve the Dalby community,” she said.

“I think we would have a lot of people disappointed if we closed.”

A spokeswoman for Brumby’s Bakery in Dalby said they were experiencing good business and had no intention of shutting their doors.

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THERE are less than 100 days to go before retailers across Queensland will be forced to permanently bin the plastic bag when the state-wide ban kicks into effect on July 1, 2018.

The ban includes all single-use, lightweight shopping bags with handles and a thickness under 35 microns.

NRA manager of industry policy David Stout said it was vital that businesses and consumers alike are well-prepared for when the ban comes into effect.

“In 100 days Queensland retailers will no longer be able to provide light-weight plastic shopping bags to customers,” Mr Stout said.

“The new laws will apply to all Queensland retail outlets regardless of size or type and shoppers will have to either purchase an alternative bag or bring their own from home.

“Whether it’s grabbing groceries at the supermarket or picking up dinner from the local takeaway, conventional plastic bags will no longer be available to shoppers.

Mr Stout said that from May 1 retailers may provide shoppers with alternative bag options that comply with the new laws should they request one.

“Queensland retailers have known for some time that this ban is coming, and we have begun to see some outlets already implement alternative bag options that are not captured by the impending ban.

“After May 1 if a customer requests an alternative bag that is not banned under the new laws, the retailer may provide them with one and can charge a fee for the alternative bag.

“Retailers who do not comply with the news laws from July 1 face hefty fines of over $6000, not to mention disruptions to their business and upsetting customers.”

“In conjunction with the Queensland Government, the NRA has been conducting workshops across Queensland to ensure that the industry is well equipped to handle the transition,” Mr Stout said.

For more information on the NRA’s tours or to arrange a one-on-one meeting, business owners should visit www.qldbagban.com.au, email qldbagban@nra.net.au, or call the NRA’s hotline on 1800 RETAIL.

Dr John Esler &

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IN THE NEWS

Thursday, March 29, 2018 suratbasin.com.au

“No topics are off limits and we value the unique insights each of you shares as this is a fundamental element to helping our industry evolve best practice.”

Queensland mining conference

Have your say to progress health and safety THE 30th Queensland Mining Industry Health and Safety Conference will be held at The Star, Gold Coast.

The conference will take place from Sunday, August 19, through to the conference dinner and award presentations on Wednesday, August 22.

As one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the conference provides the industry with the opportunity to exchange information, network and foster proactive health and safety management techniques relevant to the Queensland mining industry.

Up to 700 delegates across the country are expected to attend the four-day conference themed ‘Recognising Opportunities Together’.

Those wishing to take an active role in the conference are encouraged to consider presenting a paper during one of the concurrent sessions or to enter the renowned Innovation and Health Program Awards.

Conference chair, Russell Albury, said everyone from the resources and related industries was invited to submit a paper

◗ RECOGNISING OPPORTUNITIES: Last year's Queensland Mining Industry Health And Safety awards.

abstract to be considered for presentation in one of the concurrent sessions.

“The committee can’t express how integral these paper abstracts are to improve health and safety management in the Queensland mining industry,” Mr Albury said.

“We encourage those in the industry to make a positive impact on their industry by sharing their knowledge and expertise with their wider community at the conference.”

“No topics are off limits and we value the unique insights each of you shares as this is a fundamental element to helping our industry evolve best practice.”

PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

Entrants will be acknowledged in the conference’s award programs around ingenuity and advances in systems technology and processes, as well as the practical solutions to personal and occupational health problems.

Paper Abstracts submissions are due Friday, March 30 and submission for the Innovation and Health Program Awards are due by Friday, May 18.

The Conference Committee will be announcing shortly the presenters for the important keynote presentations.

Refer to the following website for full details of the conference and its submission guidelines: qldminingsafety.org.au.

Queensland agriculture calls for vegetation management laws to be rejected agricultural development in Queensland is strangled.

By scrapping sensible and considered clearing provisions for high value agriculture the State Government is effectively shutting down agriculture reliant rural and regional Queensland communities.

Farmers, regional communities and the environment deserve stable, workable vegetation management laws.

The proposed changes do not deliver this.

The committee must listen to and consider the positions of those living in rural and regional Queensland.

A failure to properly do this will only fuel the already politicised city-country divide.

— Queensland Farmers’ Federation

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Following presentations to the parliamentary committee, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation alongside members of CANEGROWERS, Cotton Australia, Growcom and Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation; as well as AgForce stood united in calling for the unbalanced vegetation management laws to be rejected.

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View the last edition The latest news online online Read our last issue at www.suratbasin.com.au

Keep in touch with the latest news with just a mouse click. www.suratbasin.com.au

suratbasin.com.au Thursday, March 29, 2018

Surat Basin News Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd 12 Mayne Street, Chinchilla, Q 4413 Printed by APN Print Warwick General manager: Erika Brayshaw

Mayors focus on the southwest

Councils talk opportunities for region WIDER rail network upgrades beyond the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Project will help to unlock more economic benefits for producers and enterprises across southwest Queensland, according to the Darling Downs and South West Queensland (DDSWQ) Council of Mayors.

Friday’s local government leaders’ meeting at Roma resolved to keep pressing for rail upgrades around the state’s southwest at every opportunity.

Group chair, Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio, said he was heartened by the commitment to continue pushing the case to transfer more freight to the rail network.

“Given the focus on the current Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project, it makes sense to plan for extending the rail freight network to service the wider southwest Queensland area,” Cr Antonio said.

“The state and federal governments, along with other supporters, are pressing ahead with new rail freight hubs at Morven and Mitchell. In addition, a former branch line has been re-opened to allow direct rail access to Oakey Beef Exports, but we need to look at making rail transport easily accessible for more beef producers and other users.

Mayor Antonio said he was heartened that the DDSWQ Council of Mayors had evolved into a forum to promote the interests and voices of people from the member councils including, Bulloo, Quilpie, Paroo, Murweh, Balonne, Maranoa, Goondiwindi, Western Downs, Southern Downs and Toowoomba.

“These local government areas, which comprise around a quarter of Queensland’s land mass and are home to 25 per cent of the state’s beef herd and 75 per cent of the grain crops, are desperately short of infrastructure and this needs to be conveyed to higher levels of government,” Cr Antonio said.

“As a member of the South East Queensland Council of Mayors, I’ve seen the advantages that can be derived from speaking with a wider and collective voice when dealing with state or federal governments and other peak bodies.

“Friday’s meeting sparked the interest of numerous groups, including an address from the Port of Brisbane’s chief operating officer Peter Keyte, who outlined their push to see the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail project be extended from its

◗ AT THE TABLE: The Council of Mayors held its annual meeting at the Maranoa Regional council in March, with representatives Balonne mayor Richard Marsh, Murweh mayor Annie Liston, Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh, Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio, Maranoa mayor Tyson Golder, Goondiwindi mayor Graeme Scheu and Quilpie mayor Stuart Mackenzie.

PHOTO: ALEXIA AUSTIN

current end point at Acacia Ridge to the port proper.

Mayor Antonio said other keynote speakers included representatives from the Queensland Treasury Corporation, Trade and Investment Queensland, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, the Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Regional Development Australia (Darling Downs and South West), the University of Southern Queensland and the Local Government

Association of Queensland.

Friday’s meeting also discussed vegetation management legislation, funding opportunities under the Federal Government’s new Regional Growth Fund, plus topics covering impending changes to Royal Flying Doctor funding, telecommunication, water issues and electric vehicle charging stations.

The group’s next meeting is scheduled for Charleville in June.

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