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SHIFT MINER The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news

Monday 9th April 134th Edition 2012

M A G A Z I N E

FESS UP Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com

What you really think about FIFO HOW does FIFO and block shift work affect your sex life or your ability to join the local footy team?

A new study is hoping to uncover the answers to those questions - and here’s the scoop, researchers don’t expect the findings will be negative.

“There has been a lot of media hype that tends to suggest FIFO is all bad, apart from the money, said CQUniversity researcher Dr Karin Stokes.

“But we are interested in hearing from mining families themselves, because the ones we have spoken to so far seem fairly happy with their lot. That flies in the face of a lot of media reports.”

Dr Stokes is looking to interview 60 couples over the next two months on how FIFO, DIDO and block shifts affect their lifestyle - and if the findings back up her hunch, the research will be extended to a much larger national study.

“We are looking at everything from the financial decision to work in mining, to how you parent if one half is away at work,” she said.

The CSIRO-funded research comes off the back of a study carried out last year which found that, contrary to popular belief, FIFO was not breaking up marriages.

» continued page 9

UNITED NATION

Food promotes harmony » More pictures page 15

News Wet weather costly » page 4 News Collinsville gas woes » page 5 News Highway safety in focus » page 6 Around Town Bulls snipped in first rugby clash » page 13

Off Shift Forget the name - just relax » page 21 Money Matters Bowen Basin selling spree » page 23

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4 Mines fight wet weather

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5 Collinsville gas lingers 7 Bones and teeth broken 12

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Page 3 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

News

News

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Wet weather still causing problems UNSEASONAL wet weather has caused a wide range of problems across Central Queensland mining sites.

At least two central Queensland mines will need to discharge water into the Fitzroy catchment for the next 30 days.

The latest figures from the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) show 10 mines were discharging water over the weekend after the latest bout of wet weather.

Wesfarmers-owned Curragh mine says it needs to discharge into the Mackenzie River for an estimated 30 days while Sojitz’s Minerva mine will continue to pump out into the Sandhurst Creek for up to 40 days.

BMA’s Blackwater mine and Peabody’s Coppabella mine are among the others currently pumping out.

The need to remove water from sites is continuing to be problematic: Queensland Coal has been fined $2000 for an unintentional slow release of water in February.

The slow release was caused by a release valve remaining partially open at its Clermont mine.

Management at Ensham Mine was issued a warning and requested to review

Flooding across Central Queensland is more than an inconvenience. It is likely to have cost mines millions in lost production and man hours coping with the March deluge.

its pump start-up procedures after exceeding total suspended solids into the system.

Also warned was BMA, after repairs on a release valve pipe leaked water for 20 minutes into a discharge channel at Gregory Crinum mine; there were also two minor problems at its Goonyella Riverside mine.

DERM says compliance matters are being investigated at Peak Downs, German Creek, Cook and Callide mines.

In good news for the industry, the La Niña weather pattern responsible for the late wet season has now ended.

Tom Saunders, Senior Meteorologist with The Weather Channel, says autumn conditions for the short term could be expected to be normal.

“Near average conditions have developed in the Pacific Ocean and will remain until at least winter,” he said.

“With Australia’s northern wet season also coming to an end we can expect drier weather through most northern and central parts of the country during April and May.” The rain has had an impact on production across many sites.

Just last week BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) declared force majeure on its Bowen Basin coal contracts - blaming heavy rain in March and continuing industrial action.

Peabody Energy places early estimates of the impacts on its mines at approximately $50 million for the first quarter because of lower production and sales volumes and higher costs due to volume impacts and recovery expenses.

Actual quarterly results may vary depending on the pace of recovery from the flooding.

“Australia is the world’s largest coal exporting nation, and disruptions such as these point to the tight supply-demand balance that exists for seaborne metallurgical and thermal coal,” said Peabody Energy chairman and chief executive Gregory Boyce.

“Peabody continues to target significant increases in its Australia coal exports in 2012 to serve rising global demand for both metallurgical and thermal coal products.”

The company has predicted its first quarter 2012 financial results to be at the low end of the original targeted range of US $500 to $600 billion, due to the bad weather.

Peabody Energy is the world’s largest private-sector coal company.

Another miner “gassed” by burning stockpiles MINING union, the CFMEU, is threatening to prosecute the operator of the Collinsville coal mine after another worker was hospitalised last Tuesday night.

Poisonous gas eruptions have been making workers sick for the past two months, with 30 taken to hospital with symptoms including vomiting and nausea.

Most recently, a dragline operator and supervisor were taken to hospital on April 1, with CFMEU safety officer Tim Whyte ordering an end to night shift - when the gases are worse.

“I issued the directive that operations could not resume at night until the SSE could achieve an acceptable level of risk,” he said.

Operators Thiess then suspended mining operations in areas prone to high gas

“If you dump reject coal in big stockpiles and it mixes in over time with stone, air and dirt then it will burst into flames,” he said.

“Infrared imaging of the site shows every one of its five major stockpiles is burning white hot and there are cracks everywhere.”

He said the solution was simple.

“All night shift operations must stop, and on day shift you start smothering the stockpiles with overburden and product to starve them of oxygen.”

“It’s an easy fix, but it will cost them money and there will be no production at that time.”

Comment or SMS 0428 154 653

BHP wants unions out of Qld coal: CFMEU MINING giant BHP is waging a war to de-unionise the Queensland coal industry, according to the region’s largest mining union the CFMEU. The CFMEU represents about 4000 coal workers.

For the past 16 months, a bitter dispute has raged in the Bowen Basin as company and union delegates try to nut out a new enterprise agreement for seven mines.

Strike action has been ramping up over the past few months, with speculation that it has now cost BHP billions of dollars.

Last week, its subsidiary BMA (BHP Mitsubishi Alliance) declared force majeure on its Bowen Basin coal contracts - blaming heavy rain in March and continuing industrial action.

It’s clear there have been serious impli-

Page 4 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

emissions and spontaneous combustion, but have continued with coal handling, processing and loading tasks at night.

Day shift has been unaffected.

But Mr Whyte said last night another worker, who had been carting coal past the wash plant, took ill and was sent to hospital.

“We are now seriously considering prosecution,” he said.

“On a scale of one to 10 in terms of how dangerous this is for workers, I would put it at 9.5.”

The mine has always had a problem with gases at the site, in particular carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, but Thiess says it does not know why the problem has intensified lately.

Mr Whyte said the answer lies in the company’s mining methods.

cations for the company, but an internal memo written by BHP’s coal chief executive Marcus Randolph leaked to the media shows the company is sticking to its guns.

Mr Randolph wrote the long running dispute was the “fight we had to have”.

“Being asked to yield on something that we cannot accept means this battle is likely to get tougher before it is over,” he said.

CFMEU district president Steve Smyth said that memo was a clear message the dispute was bigger than just an enterprise agreement clash.

“We’ve had a meeting with our members in Dysart, Emerald, Moranbah and Blackwater this week and coming off the floor in those meetings is a lot of anger,” he said.

“They are frustrated by how long this is taking, and they think BHP is

spoiling for a fight.

“It’s not just officials, our members can sense that there is a real push on to de-unionise the workforce and BHP is doing what it can to go round us.”

Later this month, the company will once again bypass the union and put its latest agreement directly to workers to vote on, like it did unsuccessfully last September.

This time the vote will be conducted as a postal ballot.

“Postal ballots have a really poor return rate, and if you are a suspicious sort of person you’d say this was very disingenuous,” said Mr Smyth.

No minimum number of votes is required to validate the poll - a decision is made based on “50 per cent plus 1” of those votes casts.

FAST NEWS Resources spike valuations THE number of draglines and heavy excavators imported into Australia in February increased by nearly 50 per cent to 332, reflecting rising demand in the mining sector. Further indications of a buoyant mining sector was shown in other mining related machinery categories as well. One hundred and sixteen bulldozers were imported, which is a rise of nearly a quarter compared to January, and unassembled off road dump trucks rose by 63 per cent. At the same time, assembled dump trucks fell by 28 per cent.

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Australia best to invest

DESPITE the looming mining tax, Australian mines continue to rank as the top choice for investors according to a recent global survey of the sector.

Resources consulting firm Behre Dolbear placed Australia at the top of its 25-nation ranking, ahead of Canada, the US and Brazil.

Russia and Bolivia were at the bottom of the pile.

The survey examined how nations’ political policies and business conditions promote investment growth in the mining sector.

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DHL wins upstream contracts

LOGISTICS giant DHL has won the contract to manage all the transportation and freight involved in the “upstream” or gas gathering component of a major LNG project in Queensland. DHL will now manage all the domestic and international freight for the Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG) project - or more specifically, in the gasfields for Origin Energy which handles that aspect of the project. As part of the contract, the company will responsible for transporting 30 purpose-built compressor units, some weighing more than 1,500 tonnes for the gas processing plants.

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Coasters move in

Gold Coast entrepreneurs who have invested nearly $25 million in a central Queensland accommodation project have started building portable units for their sites. The first of the new buildings will be shipped to the coal and gas fields in the next week. The Village National group of companies has bought caravan parks and hotels across central Queensland. The major shareholders in Village National are Doug Lomas, founder of former listed childcare company Kids’ Campus, and Ashmore-based property investor Patwant Calais.

Page 5 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

News

News

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Contaminated pipes picked up at Port Alma A BIOSECURITY risk hidden in a cargo ship full of coal seam gas pipes was successfully detected in a small central Queensland port last week.

The ship, carrying steel pipes from India for the Santos GLNG project in Gladstone, was found to be contaminated with wheat and yellow pea.

It berthed at Port Alma, just south of Rockhampton, last Monday and has since been moved to the larger port of Gladstone.

Biosecurity Australia is now working with Santos to have the grain and residue cleared from the pipes and vessel.

“Finding the grains during the inspection and treating the ship and pipes is an example of Australia’s Biosecurity system working,” said a spokesperson for Biosecurity.

“The ship’s staff have been advised that they should ensure all products are clean from plant material or soil in the future,” she added.

The spokesperson said Santos GLNG had imported pipes previously through the Gladstone port with no issues on any of those consignments.

So far, two shipments of pipes have arrived in Port Alma for the company’s

GLNG project in the past week.

The pipes are being stored temporarily at Bajool, along Port Alma Road, and have turned the sleepy township into a hive of activity.

Shift Miner Magazine had a look at the temporary storage facility, which can be easily spotted from the nearby Bruce Highway, and the number of pipes gives an insight into how mind-bogglingly massive the project is.

Each piece of 42-inch pipe is 12 metres long.

“We are expecting further shipments into Port Alma over the next six months with approximately one shipment every two weeks,” said a Santos GLNG spokesperson.

Another three shipments of pipes have also been delivered at the Gladstone port.

The pipes will now be moved west, so work on the pipeline connecting the gasfields to the Gladstone LNG plant can begin.

“As safety is a priority in everything we do, we will be transporting a maximum of four pipes per load to laydown locations along the pipeline route,” the spokesperson said.

BUILDING UP: The ever growing stockpile of piles at Port Alma

“We have worked closely with the state and regional councils on mapping out the routes for transport of the pipe.”

The pipes will be transported via road, on the back of purpose-built trucks.

Meanwhile, another LNG project in the region - the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) project - is back on track after rain delayed work on its pipeline.

Contractors were laid off over Christmas due to wet weather, but QGC spokesman Jerry Maher said those contractors have been re-employed.

“It is business as usual,” he told Shift Miner Magazine.

The pipes have arrived in Surat Basin town of Miles and have been laid out along the track.

Broken bones & busted teeth all in a day’s work

THERE were 202 accidents or high potential incidents on Queensland mines and quarries in January this year.

That’s slightly more than the 193 incidents recorded for the industry in December.

In one incident, a worker was fitting a tyre on a loader when it ruptured and he was peppered with rocks. He lost some of his teeth, and his arm was cut badly.

Another worker broke his leg when he slipped over while inspecting a levee bank.

Two employees were bitten by brown snakes, and a diesel fitter was admitted to hospital suffering heat stress after working in 38 degree heat for most of his shift on a dozer.

During a heavy storm, workers were forced out of an underground coal mine when water flowed in from the surface, and limited them to only one egress.

A worker seriously burnt his foot and lower leg when a mesh grid collapsed and he stepped into a sump drain containing sulphuric acid.

A breakdown of incidents, showed there were 48 involving fire, and 22 explosions.

There were 28 reported vehicle collisions, and another 37 incidents where drivers lost control of their vehicles on site.

There were also 17 mechanical failures, and 9 occasions when equipment fell on top of workers.

Kestrel swoops on snakes SIX snakes were spotted at Rio Tinto’s Kestrel mine last month, prompting management to hold a snake safety course for workers.

If you’re someone with a pathologi-

cal fear of snakes here’s a statistic that will freak you out: there are more than 120 species of snakes in Queensland, and nearly two-thirds of them are venomous.

Kestrel mine has been running the snake safety course on site for four years now, and it is conducted by snake handler Sean McCarthy.

Employees learn how to handle a snake if they see one, and what to do if they are bitten.

“The most commonly encountered venomous snake in the Emerald region is the Eastern Brown snake, but locals also need to be aware of Death Adders and Mulga snakes, which are very dangerous,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Although different types of snakes have different features to distinguish them, it can still be difficult to identify a non-venomous snake from a venomous one, so people should always use caution and avoid contact with all snakes.”

Here’s Mr McCarthy’s advice on what to do if bitten: • Assume that all snakes are venomous and avoid all contact.

• Seek medical assistance immediately if a person is bitten.

• Lie down and keep the limbs completely still until medical help arrives.

• Do not wash or cut the wound but apply a bandage to the affected area to prevent the.

Road users meet over Peak Downs future IN the five years to the end of 2009, more than 240 people were seriously injured in road crashes on the Peak Downs Highway between Clermont and Mackay.

Fourteen of those died and another 71 were rushed to hospital.

This chilling statistic is the motivator for a summit on May 18 led by the Mackay Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) to discuss future design, use and safety of the highway.

RAAG spokesman Graeme Ransley says the figures are unacceptable but stressed the day was about positive solutions for future road users rather than laying blame for past or existing problems.

Major stock, fuel, freight transport and mining companies as well as the Coordinator General have been invited to the summit.

Most are expected to attend along with road pilots, tourism groups, regional councils plus state government agencies.

It’s part of the RAAG’s inclusive approach.

“This is about getting everyone in the same room and getting all the information together about the highway and the issues and come up with some ideas and solutions,” he said.

“We need to look at this now and where we are going with this road in five years and 10 years.”

Over that period traffic on the road is set to double. Already billions of litres of fuel are transported along it every year as well mine workers travelling to and from work, wide loads and buses and road trains.

The workshop will split the expected 80 delegates into five groups depending on their interest and expertise - road safety management; safer roads and mobility; safer vehicles; safer road users and post crash response.

Each group will be joined from road safety group 33900 to devise their key issues and solutions which will be collated at the end of the day. The group formed to reduce road fatalities and is so named after 33,900 people died on Australian roads in 2010. That’s about 5000 more people than Gladstone.

The organisation’s commitment is for a decade of action against road deaths.

Another coup for the event is Rob McInerney, chief executive of the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), will attend, which Mr Ransley says highlights there are some major problems with Peak Downs Highway. iRAP is a registered charity dedicated to improving safety on high risk roads.

Mr Ransley should know too. He’s the guy who puts out the road safety signs and says it takes a fair risk assessment to know where to stop and put them out safely.

He says some frequent users of the Peak Downs Highway are fearful of travelling on it.

The workshop will be held in Mackay and further information is available from Graeme Ransley on 0428 522 557.

Comment or SMS 0428 154 653

Page 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

A May 18 workshop in Mackay is seeking solutions to make the Peak Downs Highway safer.

Page 7 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

News

News

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Paget upgrade sparks mining delays THERE will be short-term pain for longterm gain in Mackay’s industrial precinct of Paget, as plans are finally underway for a major road upgrade.

Connors Road, which ranked as the fourth-worst council-controlled street in Queensland in RACQ’s Unroadworthy Roads Survey three years ago, is the key road in and out of Paget.

It is set for an upgrade over the next few months now council has appointed a contractor for the job, and the Strategic Paget Group met last Friday to discuss the impact of the major road works on local businesses.

“It’s a issue for the group as this is the key road in and out of Paget and it will significantly impact businesses out of Paget,” said group spokesperson Karen McIntyre.

Two companies in Paget are the biggest employers in town and want to know how people will be able to get to and from work.

“There are also wide load vehicles that need access 24 hours a day, so it will have a huge impact on the mining industry,”

said Ms McIntyre.

Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC) chief executive Narelle Pearse said the council and Department of Transport and Main Roads were being proactive.

“They have been very consultative in getting feedback from businesses,” she said.

The issues are around road access and networks in and out, how to manage the large volume of traffic and oversize vehicles.

“Because there are such large employers, any impacts on roads will impact on business, so Main Roads and Council are looking at ways to minimise this impact through various means, for example, staggering work times,” she said.

The Connors Road project involves construction of two lanes in each direction between Archibald Street and Boundary Road, as well as a single lane each way between Boundary and Farellys Road.

It is part of a $20 million upgrade package for Paget.

“They have been very consultative in getting feedback from businesses.”

Year-long wait for power in Paget BUSINESSES are having to wait up to a year before getting access to electricity in Mackay’s biggest industrial precinct.

Those businesses without power in Paget have had to install generators, adding thousands of dollars to their business costs.

Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC) chief executive Narelle Pearse said the delay in accessing electricity is because Ergon was not included in the planning of Paget’s expansion until the last stages.

“Energy supply [has been a problem] in terms of Ergon being able to keep up with the demand,” she said.

“At the moment, there is a 12-month waiting time for electricity, which is not great.”

Ms Pearse said it was a cautionary tale in industrial planning.

“Electricity, telecommunications, broadband and roads - are very important for planning an industrial area,” Ms Pearse said.

“It is really important to have a relationship with the infrastructure providers.”

Paget also has the slowest broadband, so it is important to ensure any new industrial area has access to high-speed internet, she said.

“The lack of electricity, lack of parking, lack of good roads and slow internet are distractions businesses don’t need. It can potentially bring in a higher costs,” Ms Pearse said.

The congestion problem in Paget, caused by the area only having two main access points, should be eased in the near future.

Connors Road, the key road in and out of Paget, is set to undergo major works.

“Energy supply [has been a problem] in terms of Ergon being able to keep up with the demand.”

Resources spike valuations QUEENSLAND Valuer-General Neil Bray says the state’s resource towns and regions were the only ones to escape the subdued property market reflected in the latest valuations.

Annual valuations were mailed to all property owners on March 28.

Mr Bray described the property market in Queensland as “generally subdued” with a 2.6 per cent reduction in total valuations.

“The exceptions are those areas influenced by the resources boom including the

mining, gas, energy and mineral processing industries,” he said.

“The largest increase was 19 per cent in the Gladstone Regional Council and the largest decrease was 13.7 per cent in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area,” he said.

“This is not surprising as the resources boom has driven values up in Gladstone, while towns and industry in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area are still suffering the economic effects and damage

caused by Cyclone Yasi in early 2011.”

Residential values have generally risen by 10 to 50 per cent in Gladstone and surrounding towns within the local government area.

“Some localities such as Gladstone and surrounding towns reflected large increases in median values due to large industrial and liquefied natural gas (LNG) developments in those localities,” Mr Bray said.

“For example, the median value of residential land in Kirkwood has increased 40.6 per cent from $160,000 to $225,000.

“Generally commercial lands have increased in value with less change evident in industrial lands at this stage.

“Rural residential values have increased strongly across the shire with variability dependent on location and proximity to Gladstone.”

Mr Bray said the valuations provided a snapshot of land values on October 1, 2011.

“The Gladstone region is experiencing significant growth driven by the establishment of LNG industries on Curtis Island and port expansion at Fishermans Landing and Wiggins Island,” he said.

“This growth is limited to the northern section of the local government area with softer market conditions existing in southern areas.”

Thirty-two local government areas record-

ing an overall market movement of less than three per cent in total rateable value.

Other value changes ranged from a 10.9 per cent dip for the Whitsunday Regional Council area to an increase of 10.3 per cent in Paroo Shire Council and Western Downs Regional Council areas.

The Western Downs is experiencing unprecedented growth from gas, electricity generation and mining.

More than 1.6 million valuations were undertaken across 58 rateable local government areas.

The updated figures will now be used to determine local government rating, State land tax and State land rental.

Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown recently expressed concern of how the valuations would impact his ratepayers.

Brisbane City recorded a 22 per cent increase in values and St Lucia a 19.2 per cent drop.

Mr Bray said it was important that landowners realised that valuation notices were not rate notices.

“Rates are set under the Local Government Act 2009 by local government authorities,” Mr Bray said.

“The setting of rates is based on a number of factors – valuations are only one of those factors.”

Can Rocky rake in investment? FIFO familyfriendly after all?

AS Mackay’s industrial area struggles under infrastructure woes, it could be a golden opportunity for the Rockhampton region.

The Gracemere industrial area, which lies just west of Rockhampton, is a blank canvas ready for development while Paget is predicted to reach full capacity within four years.

“We can learn from Paget,” said Capricorn Enterprise’s economic development manager, Neil Lethlean.

There is steep competition in the wider central Queensland region for the industrial dollar.

A recent conference in Mackay saw different regional councils hawking their wares in order to attract investors.

“Rocky’s future depends on this,” Mr Lethlean said.

He said Gracemere had a competitive advantage because being a greenfield or undeveloped site, planning could happen from the bottom up.

Slow internet, which plagues Paget, would not be a problem as the national broadband

network rolls out at a time when the cabling can be put into Gracemere, he said.

“Ergon Energy is also part of the planning. There is a traffic plan, and we already have certain streets designated for heavy traffic and measures in place to manage noise control.

“There is also major provision for parking and accommodation.”

Another major drawcard for the precinct is transport logistics, according to Mr Lethlean.

A feasibility study is already underway into an intermodal logistics hub - where non-bulk freight is transferred between different modes of transport, such as from ship to road to rail.

The hub would allow logistics, manufacturing and distribution companies to centralise their national warehousing and distribution operations.

“Queensland Rail will duplicate their rail to increase tonnage from the Bowen Basin.

This is all part of their 2011/2012 infrastructure plan with a Gracemere line and

“There is steep competition in the wider central Queensland region for the industrial dollar.”

Page 8 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

STEEP COMPETITION: Can Rockhampton beat other regional centres to seduce industrial investors?

is part of the Wiggins Island Rail Project in Gladstone.”

The Gracemere precinct will be largely driven and funded at the local level, and Mr Lethlean said it must be a priority.

In the past month, the issue has become a political hot potato, as debate rages over zoning and local council elections just weeks away.

“The hold-up now is the council

not adopting the temporary local planning instrument, but I am not going into detail as this has become political,” said Mr Lethlean. “[The Gracemere Industrial Area] needs a unified council support - and that is at the elected and bureaucratic level.

There are so many plans across Australia for industry to relocate to, so we need to market this estate with certainty.”

“We found the number of miners who are divorced or separated was no higher than other sectors - in fact, in some cases it was lower,” said Dr Stokes.

Alicia Ranford is a FIFO mum who set up the website Mining Family Matters as a support network for the increasing number of FIFO families in mining across Australia.

She agrees wholeheartedly that most FIFO families support the lifestyle and the rosters, despite the negative media.

“One of best things about the mining industry is that if FIFO or DIDO isn’t working for you, you have the option to move and live locally,” she said.

“That means families are making a choice to live the lifestyle they are, and they want to make it work for them.

“My family has been doing it [FIFO] for

five years and it’s worked really well for us, in fact I don’t think it’s had any negative impacts at all - if anything it has made us better communicators because we have to make the effort.”

Now, Ms Ranford’s husband is about to start work at a nearby mine, meaning the days of FIFO are over for a while.

“It is going to be a huge adjustment, we have actually sold FIFO so well to our kids that our daughter is really worried about it.

“She is really confused that dad is going to be home every night, and is worried she will miss out because he can no longer do things like take her to school on his days off.”

If you’d like to be part of the research, that takes about an hour, you can call Dr Karin Stokes on 4923 2186.

“My family has been doing it [FIFO] for five years and it’s worked really well for us, in fact I don’t think it’s had any negative impacts at all...”

Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

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INVESTMENT PROPERTY INVESTMENT EVENT PROPERTY EVENT

134th EDITION. 2012

Lady Annie slapped Climate change can’t with record fine stop mine: court

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A court has ruled concerns over climate ing released this week. change do not warrant stopping the devel“The issue of climate change is clearly a opment of one of the biggest coal mines in matter of general public interest and a matthe southern hemisphere. ter which may militate against the grant of Xstrata is planning a $6 billion, 11,000the proposed leases,” she said. hectare open-cut coal mine near Wandoan “However, it is only one of a number of that will produce 100 million tonnes of coal matters that the court must weigh up in cona year at full capacity. sidering whether the public right and interGreen group Friends of the Earth and est will be prejudiced by the project. nine landowners had attempted to block “I conclude that the climate change state government approval for the project objection did not justify a refusal of the through the Land Court in Brisbane. proposed mining leases.”

But the court recently ruled in favour of MacDonald recommended the minperfect time buy before Investment property can property property the can DURING the peak of your property portfolio inMrscoming portfolio in comingtoInvestment the mining giant. ing leases be granted, subject to a number form ofpart of a really good part of aagain. really good years funded largely by tax funded largely by tax form moves upward working years when the yearsmarket In a landmark case, and the environmental the exclusion of some investment strategy savings, still conditions, enjoyincluding the and still enjoy the investment strategy by giving money’s rollingby in, it’sgiving easy not savings, Where to buy? group argued for the mine to be dumped landowners’ properties from the lease areas. you the benefit of of current lifestyle that you you the benefit of $,000’s of current lifestyle that you to worry too $,000’s much about the based on fears surrounding climate change.

It has also been recommended that Xstraproperty tax savings each year, which tax savings locations each year, which work so hard for. taMoreover, so hard best for. Moreover, future. Work hard, play hard. workThe However, the strategy did not work and work closely with the Department of arein the those that are with close to combined with good rental combined good rental investing in the right type of investing right type of A new car in the driveway, the case was dismissed.

Environment and Resource Management to good infrastructure, schools, returns, will pay the majority, returns, will pay the majority, property, and better still, in property, and better still, in jetski for fun on the weekends, Xstrata argued it would be pointless to ban develop a system to monitor ground water in transport, services and if not all, of your property if not all, ofetc your property the can kind of location, can the mine, andright that demandkind for the coalof wouldlocation, the area and its effect on landowners. overseas holidays….

Life’s the right especially in positions that outgoings.

So that means you outgoings.

So that means you also provide you a nice holiday also provide you a nice holiday Xstrata later said the verdict acknowlgood. But the reality is, that to have such great economic benefit to the state good. But the reality is, that to cannot be repeated, such as it would outweigh save more today, while your home to escape to on those long save more today, while your the company had followed a “thorough toenvironmental escapeconcerns. to onedged those long maintain this sort expressing of lifestyle maintain this sort of lifestyle “DERM also received calls from downstream landholders concern that home Land Court President Carmel MacDonand rigorous environmental assessment and waterfront locations. asset goes up in value. asset goes up in value. weekends ...

An investment ... An investment into retirement, you’re going into retirement, you’re going weekends that poor water quality within Saga and Inca Creeks could harm livestock.” ald upheld view as outlined her rulreview process”.and thatthisyou canin enjoy now that you can enjoy now and

THE former owner of Lady Annie copper stream landholders expressing concern that mine in north-west Queensland has been poor water quality within Saga and Inca fined a record half a million dollars for seriCreeks could harm livestock.” ous environmental harm.

The Mt Isa Magistrates Court slapped CopperCo Ltd pleaded guilty in the Mt the company with a $500,000 fine, and also Isa Magistrates Court recently, after disordered CopperCo Ltd to pay more than charging contaminated water from the mine $80,000 in investigation costs. site in 2009.

It is on top of the $11 million the former “The offence relates to an uncontrolled operator was made to spend by DERM to release of contaminated water from stormclean up and rehabilitate the site following water ponds to surrounding creeks during the contamination. the 2009 wet season and isDURING the most serious The decision on the Lady mine the peak ofAnnie your water contamination in Queensland’s histoconcludes legal action against mines in working years when the ry,” said Department of Environment and north-west Queensland for serious breaches money’s rolling in, it’s easy not Resource Management (DERM) assistant of the Environmental Protection Act during to worry the too much about the director general Dean Ellwood.

2008-09 wet season. future.

Work play hard.

“The contamination extended for 52 kilOther hard, mines prosecuted include MMG A new car in the driveway, ometres and was highly toxic, killing freshCentury Limited which was fined $130,000, jetski for fun onHenry the weekends, water crabs and fish. and Ernst mine which was fined “DERM also received overseas calls from down$100,000. holidays….

Life’s

to need far more than your Super Fund is going to provide.

The easy way to use the The easy way to use the taxman to secure your taxman wealth, to secure your wealth, for now and the future. for now and the future.

one that will appreciate value for years to come.

in

need far more than your Why invest to now?

Rise above, or watch axe fall: Roche The good news is that with a little careful planning and THE Queensland Resources Council’s chief traditional bottomline compliance. the right structures in place, executive Michael Roche has delivered a The future is not about minimum standyou can build a substantial stern warning to mineral explorers and proards and ticking the compulsory boxes.

Why invest at all?

Why invest now?

Super Fund is going to one that will appreciate in more than 80% The Reserve Bank has valueWith The Reserve Bank of has for years to come. provide.

Australians retiring indicated that interest rates indicated thaton interestless rates Why Invest in Property?

Invest in$231 Property?a week The good news is that stay with Whythan living will either decrease or will eitherand decrease or stay a little careful planning and above the poverty line, on hold until mid-2012, This Let’s just on hold until mid-2012, This Let’s face it, you don’t want face it, you don’t want three from the start is what a social licence Increasingly, the industry’s opponents seek the right structures in place, investing for your future now coupled with today’s lower coupled with today’s lower to work forever, so let to work forever, so let to operate is all about in the 21st century. to tar the whole industry with the same brush. prices, is a your is your money work for you. money work for you. prices, means that now is a critical. youthat can buildnow a substantial Without the community’s confidence and The granting of an exploration permit means

Where to start?

Where to start?

Before you invest, Before you invest, it is it is essential to getessential the to opinion get the opinion of a professional of a to professional helpto you help you find the best value find theproperties best value properties on the market onand the market theandbest the best structures to help structures youto achieve help you achieve your goals. Here your goals. at TOTAL Here at TOTAL Wealth we Builders, provide we provide perfect time to buyBuilders, before the Wealth an advisory service an advisory to service assist to assist market moves upward again. you every stepyouof everythe step ofway. the way.

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ducers, in the wake of the new LNP governThe alternative of course is to ignore comsupport, we cannot hope to operate sustainably. is equated to the imminent start of openment in Queensland. munity expectations and wait for the axe to fall.

In Queensland – and across much of cut mining.

Here’s an abridged excerpt from his The axe of course is the inevitable regAustralia – there is no divine right to develAs an industry, we have much more speech to the Australian Copper Conferulatory burden – and then some – that hisop minerals and energy resources. work to do in explaining to the community ence held in Brisbane recently. tory has shown is the common cure for An explorer’s intentions must be commuthat exploration is “Premier Newman and the LNP have compolitical controversy. nicated effectively and negotiated openly. different to production, that identifying a mitted to delivering us investment certainty We need to satisfy the Queensland comOnce upon a time, the community would drilling target is different to proving up reserves.

PROPERTY OVERVIEW: Just 35 to Brisbane minutes totoBrisbane PROPERTY OVERVIEW: Just 35 minutes to Brisbane CBD and 20 minutes to Brisbane – in return for our sector delivering ‘world’s munity’s expectations in terms of our economcut minutes exploration companies some slack. CBD We and need 20 resource communities Airport, the luxurious Mon Komo development offersand luxury investment and Airport, the luxurious Mon Komo development offers luxury short-stay investment and best’ environmental and social outcomes. ic, environmental and social performances.

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They were seen hub as little companies NIMBY rule ofmost thumb is point that if youof don’t are saying and moving above and beyond isn’t going to wash. Aiming three out ofaswho were having a go andbest taking some risks. understand, it must be bad.”in Australia”.

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MINER ladder

GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

QGC announces new chairman CATHERINE Tanna has been appointed chairman of BG Australia - the owners of QGC. The announcement was made last Wednesday by the company that has a head office in Brisbane.

As Chairman, Ms Tanna will be responsible for BG Group’s key Federal and State relationships in Australia and the Group’s role in significant trade and industry bodies including the Business Council of Australia.

The company said in a statement that her appointment meant she would also ensure that BG Group’s decision making continued to incorporate the priorities of the company’s many Australian stakeholders.

BG Group also announced it intended to create an Australian Advisory Board which Ms Tanna will be appointed to.

In other moves, Derek Fisher has been appointed Managing Director of QGC with operational management responsibility for all BG Group’s Australian assets.

He joined BG Group from GE in 2000 and has extensive experience in BG Group joint ventures. He was most recently President and Managing Director of BG Asia, based in Singapore, a role that meant he was

responsible for BG Group business operations in China, India, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia.

BG Group Chief Executive Sir Frank Chapman said he was delighted with both appointments: “Catherine has done a tremendous job bringing the Queensland Curtis LNG project through sanction and well into execution,” he said.

“Derek, with 23 years’ operational experience, assumes responsibility for QGC as the project moves towards the operational phases and first LNG in 2014.”

Ms Tanna said she looked forward to her new role.

“We have achieved a great deal in a short period and I hand over a project to Derek that is on track for first LNG in 2014,” she said.

Mr Fisher said he was looking forward to the new role.

“I greatly look forward to my new challenge as the project moves towards the operational phases. This year will see a ramp up in operational activity with an 11-rig drilling programme and the full suite of upstream facilities implementa-

QGC owner, the BG Group, has made major senior changes with Catherine Tanna the new chairman and while Derek Fisher has been appointed Managing Director of QGC. The company has a range of challenges with its LNG project.

tion getting underway.

“Construction continues apace on the liquefaction plant on Curtis Island and work on the pipeline is progressing.”

Triathlon in for the long haul The Central Highlands Triathlon Club (CHTC) is looking for communities across the coal fields to host future triathlons.

The club has had some very successful events in Tieri, Springsure, Blackwater and Emerald recently but would like to make the sport more mobile in the future.

Helen Scott from the CHTC says the sport is trying to get more communities involved.

“We are based in Emerald - but we have members based all around, and we are trying to set up a situation where the club can travel from community to community.”

The company still faces stiff opposition to its work from landholders and the anti-CSG lobby, driven by farmers, despite having a significant program addressing social impacts.

US tradies to ease worker shortages THERE may soon be more Americans working in Queensland coal mines.

This week the federal government made it easier for specific trades from the United States to work Down Under in a bid to ease the skills shortage in mining and building.

From mid-April qualified electricians and plumbers can be assessed for work visas in the US before they leave for Australia. Currently they have to arrive in Australia and then apply which can takes months for approval.

Federal Skills Minister Chris Evans said while the priority would always be for Australian workers to secure jobs, overseas workers were needed to fill gaps in the jobs market in the next three to five years as the resources sector continued to boom.

Unemployment currently sits at 8.3 per cent in the United States after peaking at 10 per cent in October 2009.

Australia’s unemployment rate is currently 5.2 per cent.

Australia Pacific LNG CEO, Page Maxson, welcomed the announcement, agreeing overseas workers were needed because of the sheer scale and pace of development in the resources industry.

“Moving forward, this initiative may assist our project by enabling skilled US workers to temporarily fill skill shortages in Australia and providing opportunities for knowledge sharing between the two countries,” he said last week.

An Australian jobs expo is to be held in Houston, Texas, next month to provide information on working here.

Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

What’s happening in sport in your town?

From town to town: Central Highlands Triathlon club is exploring the region.

Courtesy of Julie-ann Carson.

“Five years ago we had to travel all the way to the coast to get a triathlon.

“At the time we had a really strong cycling club, and we thought why don’t we try and do something locally.

“And it seems to be working, we had the most juniors ever competing in the Springsure event a few weeks ago.”

Mrs Scott says the goal of the club is not to be super competitive, but rather to allow lots of people to participate, either in teams or as individuals.

The process for communities wanting to host an event, is that they first contact the CHTC, who then help them with all the paperwork, insurances, and logistics to actually host the event.

One issue that they are working to overcome is how to transfer all the equipment required to hold the race.

“We are currently trying to get funding or sponsorship so that we can buy a trailer that can just be towed from town to town.

“Things like the bike - racks, tents, star pickets and tables take up a lot of room, and we really need a trailer suited to the job.”

“So if there is a sponsor out there who can help, that would be really appreciated.”

Independent of the CHTC hosted events BMA Blackwater is holding its own triathlon in Blackwater in May. The race will be contested within the town limits, and organiser Ashleigh McNicoll form Healthy Business says it is the first of two events aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in mining.

“It’s going to be a small reverse triathlon event, and the aim is to get more people in our communities involved in a healthy lifestyle.”

“As you know, health and fitness is not at the forefront of everyone’s minds in mining, and we are hoping this might help to change that.

“It’s the first time we have tried this approach, so we are hopeful that it will be well supported.”

For details on the BMA event call Ashleigh on 0407 700 609, and if you would like to nominate your community to host a triathlon call the Helen Scott at the CHTC on 0406 319 826 .

photos it wants added to this page, you can submit your articles to angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

fields in the CQ region’s premier league competition.

The competition is the highest level of soccer played locally and comprises nine other teams from across Gladstone and Rockhampton.

The Eagles have already garnered strong support from mining - raising $30,000 in the first eight weeks of the year - almost half of which came from major sponsors Yarrabee Coal, Ensham Resources and Travelander.

However they are still hunting for a sponsor to help them with the significant travel costs of playing in a competition based largely on the coastal fringe.

Spokesperson for EEFC James Barley said they are still exploring all other possibilities.

“We were quite advanced in our discussions with Greyhound buses, but they lost their contract with Kestrel mine so are pulling out of Emerald,” he said.

“So we will have to look at using a Rockhampton or Gladstone bus company.

“We have never stopped looking for new sponsors, and we recently launched a loyalty club for small business who can afford to contribute $100 to $500.”

The Eagles have raised some eyebrows in the recent pre-season Stanwell Cup. They finished third in the competition, testing a number of sides including Clinton who won the CQ championship in 2011.

The Eagles will have their first home game on the April 28 and players interested in joining the club can call James on 0410 603 070.

competition and winning the minor premiership.

Much of that success has been linked to the jettisoning of “dead weight” coach Angus Peacocke who failed to steer the club to finals success in the years preceding the arrival of Jack Wright.

Coach Wright said he expects that this year they are likely to benefit from both experience and youth.

“I am actually quietly happy at this time,” he said.

“We have kept all of our players from 2011 and we have probably got seven new guys having a run for us this year.”

“It’s particularly positive for the club’s future because many of them are in the 19 to 20 age group and we have picked up a number of outside backs and a new five eight.

“We have also picked up a big Kiwi prop who has played at a decent level at home, so we will be welcoming him into the ranks.”

According to coach Wright most of the new players have come from mining or related industries in the Dawson Valley area.

They currently have 78 players on the books, although coach Wright says you need at least this many to field two sides in a mining roster environment.

Not to mention the inevitable losses to injury and other things as the season progresses.

The first game for reserve grade is on April 14 and the A grade competition starts two weeks later on April 28.

“All I would say about this year is that we have kept the whole A grade group, and a few of our younger players from last year are 12 months older and 12 months smarter,” coach Wright added.

“Whether they can win the competition depends on their work ethic.

“If they are prepared as a team to do the work that is required, good things will happen.

“If they aren’t well they won’t.”

Drovers back on horse and quietly confident Coach Jack Wright is quietly confident that the Dawson Valley Drovers Rugby Club (DVDRC) can match or better their 2011 result in this year’s central Queensland rugby competition.

The Drovers had a stellar return to form last year, making the grand final of the Rockhampton-based

Anyone one interested in joining the DVDRC can call secretary Ashleigh Dougherty on 0406 513 535

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sport Campdraft

Event Springsure National Finals

Date 11/4/12

Venue Springsure

Soccer

Emerald Eagles v Southside

14/4/12

Rockhampton

Greyhound no solution for Eagle problem

Rugby league

Dysart v Pirates

14/4/12

Hickey oval

Rugby League

Cowboys v Clermont

14/4/12

McIndoe park

Rugby League

Blackwater v Bluff

14/4/12

Hinricks Oval

The decision by Greyhound buses to withdraw its services from Emerald means the fledgling Emerald Eagles Football Club (EEFC) remains without a major transport sponsor this season.

For the first time, the EEFC is representing the coal

Rugby League

Springsure v Middlemount

14/4/12

Middlemount

Motor Cycle

Rolleston Enduro

22/4/12

Rolleston

Traithlon

Capella

May

To be decided

Want your club details here? Call Shift Miner 07 4921 4333

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is proud to be a part of the Clermont, Emerald, Capella, Nebo, Sarina, Mirani and Mackay communities.

The Kestrel Mine Community Development Fund is pleased continue its partnership with Central Highlands Development Corporation to support the Community Grants Officer and Outreach programme for the next two years.

This initiative provides the communities of Emerald, Capella and the Gemfields with the support to source, research, apply for and acquit vital community grants for local projects.

If your local club has any news or

Since 2010, more than $1M has been brought back into these communities. One of the projects includes supporting the long term future of the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative ve (pictured) to help them continue their work in improving natural resource management practices in the community.

We support a range of local projects W through the Clermont Region, Kestrel Mine, and Hail Creek Mine Community Development Funds.

For more information contact: • Clermont Region Alissa Gordon on 07 4988 3505 • Kestrel Mine Maureen Tutton on 07 4984 7694 • Hail Creek Mine Marie Cameron on 07 4951 6437

www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

around town

around town

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Moranbah Bulls snipped

Kuttabul and Moranbah Bulls went head to head in a trial match on Saturday, March 31. Good effort by the Bulls, but they went down fighting: Kuttabul 29 - Bulls 19. The 2012 season for the Moranbah Bulls kicks off in Emerald on Saturday, April 14, at 4pm.

Flavour hits right note

The Central Highlands Regional Council celebrated International Harmony Day and International Women’s Day by hosting the inaugural ‘Flavours of the World’ Festival. Festival goers experienced a range of delicious traditional cuisine including tastes from Mexico, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and more, as well as cultural music, dancing and games.

Lynda Connell, Annette Baker, Harjit Prasad and Lee Forbes cutting the cake for International Women’s Day.

Laureen and Amber Fenner with Angela Elliott.

Kelly, Charlie and Kim Huxley.

Easter Bunny left his footprints and lots of eggs.

Red group kindy children performing chicken dance and song.

Ben, Isaac and Emily parading their Easter bonnets.

Easter madness!

Ashish Prasad and his daughter.

Toni, Oliver and Harley Cameron.

Sam, Cael and Locky Wilkinson-Reid.

Moranbah Kindy red group enjoyed some Easter festivities recently, and have a look at who we snapped at the Moranbah markets.

Rowena Olsen, Emma Ross, Louise Hegarty, Leah fraser, Tania Bailey

Paul Augusthy and Rani Paul at the markets.

Dale and Robyn Blyth at the markets.

Red group children.

Anna and Leon Parfitt, Cassie and Jaydene Fudge enjoying the markets.

Amy Campbell and Sophie Greaves.

Sophie Greaves enjoying Easter craft.

Children’s Easter bonnets.

Linda Bull, with Kathie and Annette Bush.

Pamela Nugi and James Ehava.

Laura Riverstone, Kyrstin Turner, Rebecca Chan and Cassandra Weir with Dutch pancakes.

The Rotarians, Errol Rix, Debbie McIntyre, Brad Duke and Lee Forbes serving the Mexican food.

Bridie Anderson and Miriam Javati.

Troy, Wiraya and Jin serving the Thai food.

Linda and Alan Galloway.

Ashish and Harjit Prasad with the Indian food.

Angela, Sarah, Zoe, Hannah and Aiden Peterson hit the markets.

Holding a social event you want photographed? Call the Shift Miner office on 4921 4333 to let us know. You can also give our office a bell if you’d like a copy of any of the photos in this edition.

BUY THIS AND MANY OTHER IMAGES AT

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together Page 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

stuff to the editor

Sent in anonymously

FAIR DINKUM

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Stuff to the Editor Here’s a take you don’t often hear on Earth Hour: Earth hour should celebrate coal, not candles.

It was coal that produced clean electric power which cleared the smog produced by dirty combustion and open fires in big cities like London and Pittsburgh.

Much of the third world still suffers choking fumes and smog because they do not have clean electric power and burn wood, cardboard, unwashed coal and cow dung for home heat.

It was coal that saved the forests being felled to fuel the first steam engines and produce charcoal for the first iron smelters.

It was coal that powered the light bulbs and saved the whales being slaughtered for whale oil lamps.

It was coal that produced the steel that replaced shingles on the roof, timber props in the mines, wooden fence posts on the farms and the bark on the old bark hut.

In Australia today, coal provides at least 75% of our lighting, cooking, heating, refrigeration, rail transport and steel.

Without it, we would be back in the dark days of candles, wood stoves, chip heaters, open fires, smoky cities, hills bare of trees and streets knee deep in horse manure.

Coal is fossil sunshine as clean as the green plants it came from, and less damaging to the environment than its green energy alternatives.

Earth Hour candles are green tokenism for rich applause-seekers and nostalgic dreamers.

MOVIE REVIEW

BY JUSTIN CARLOS

We should spend Earth Hour saluting the real people who produce the coal on which most people on earth depend.

Viv Forbes, Rosewood We also received this letter from Bruce Currie, who stood as an independent candidate in the seat of Gregory: Thanks to the electorate of GREGORY. Now that the dust has settled with a resounding result to the LNP, I would like to thank all those people who voted and supported me during the state election campaign. Congratulations to Vaughan Johnson on his win in Gregory and to the other candidates for standing and having the courage to put their money where their mouth is.

To the electorate, it is still my belief that we need to put sound management in the state constitution. The on-going situation of the LNP balancing the books then losing office and the ALP again plunging the state back into debt is destroying job security and state government assets. If it continues then eventually we will have an unserviceable debt and no assets. This state deserves greater financial security and certainty, than just vote for a party and hope we get three years of good luck.

May the next three years for this state and its citizens be profitable and productive with a sustainable direction. At this stage I intend to contest the next state election.

Regards Bruce Currie

Got something to share?

Send us your text messages or phone photos to 0428 154 653 Or email to alex.graham@shiftminer.com

SEEN SOMETHING WE HAVEN’T? Prizes for the best mining photos.

Take it on your phone or camera and send it in

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FROM THE EDITOR TRAVEL the Peak Downs Highway for any distance between Mackay and Clermont just once and you know it’s busy, dangerous and needs re-design.

More than 240 people were seriously injured in crashes on the road in 2009 alone - 14 of those died.

A summit is now planned for May 18 in Mackay by Mackay Road Accident Action Group (RAAG) to discuss the road (see full story on page 6).

It’s an event everyone in the resources industry should be interested in and organisers are pushing to have all stakeholders - who most use the highway - to be involved.

Without the road in wet conditions or flooding, meeting organiser, and RAAG spokesman Graeme Ransley says the Bowen and Galilee basins would grind

to a halt as most equipment and fuel is carried along the highway.

It’s the same for stoppages caused by accidents or roadworks - the highway is the lifeblood to the region’s mining industry.

More seriously is the health and wellbeing of users is totally reliant on improvements being carried out as usage is tipped to double in the next five to 10 years. Already some workers say they are “fearful” of using the road to get to and from work and there are emergency services workers and crews having to deal with the physical and psychological impacts of continued incidents.

The Shift Miner will report on the outcome of the workshop and trust you travel safely and slowly when next on the highway. It’s in everyone’s best interests to do so.

Greg Sweetnam

Redmond’s Rants

The musings of a CQ miner...

On Wednesday I had a shift off.

I stay in the Nebo Mac Camp, so I decided to go check out something I been wondering about.

Between Nebo and Glenden is a turn off marked Mt Britton historical town, so I jumped in my ute and drove out there.

It’s a pretty easy drive, especially if you go steady on the dirt and roll the windows down.

I also enjoy the odd moo at a cow thing - it’s like doing a bicep pose in bathroom mirror (ie best enjoyed when you’re solo).

What I found at Mt Britton truly amazed me.

I have decided not to describe it in this article, as I feel it’s best left to be discovered and explored without introduction or pre-amble.

Standing amongst the bits and pieces of Mt B, I spent some time with my forefathers in a

really worthwhile detour through history.

I then drove the back way to the Eungella pub for a great lunch and two beers.

On the return trip I stopped at a creek and threw stones at nothing for a half hour.

Returning to camp I was thinking how simple yet rewarding my day had been.

Fast forward to Friday.

I’d heard a buzz at work that on Friday night a little low-key circus of some type would be set up at Nebo showgrounds.

No one seems sure what the deal was, so after dinner I ventured up there for a look.

In a dark corner there was indeed a little bigtop; measuring just 12 metres by eight metres, it only held 30ish seats.

Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

I caught a glimpse of some children seated through the opening of the canvas, and ducked through.

A mini stage was set up and the lighting was soft and luxurious.

The effect of entering the big top was magical - darkness and mystery outside, excitement and anticipation inside.

The show started.

An elderly, fit, energetic and loud gentleman danced into the centre and introduced himself and his goat!

He had two goats and an alpaca, and for an hour the four of them spent their energy entertaining us.

Maybe this was also a glimpse into the past, when entertainment was performed at local showgrounds by travellers.

Once the show finished the ringmaster (one man circus) invited us into car park to view his monkeys.

I have had a pretty interesting week even though I’ve worked five 12-hour shifts.

I did not set out to write a rave for little Nebo town but it is what it is.

Who is Redmond?

Redmond was born in a cross-fire hurricane and now resides in Queensland. Former Golden Glove champ turned champion shearer, his shearing career was cut short when he entered the adult film industry and made 3467 films in three months. He now enjoys semi-retirement and lives happily on his 100,000 acre property with his seven wives. He has received the annual Golden Pen award from the Writer’s Guild four years in a row in the Truth Telling category...

21 Jump Street delivers tongue in cheek laughs Based on the 80s TV show of the same, 21 Jump Street could be another lame Hollywood remake, you’d be forgiven for thinking.

As it turns out, however, this ‘remake’ is more a clever spoof of the action genre and a tongue-in-cheek look at the movie industry as a whole.

The film follows the story of two misfit cops, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum), who are sent undercover as high school students to infiltrate a drug gang.

As the pair attempt to blend into the teenage crowd they discover school has changed a lot since their day.

In the new high school hierarchy, Schmidt – the stereotypical ‘nerd’, and Jenko – the archetypical ‘jock’, find their roles reversed and Schmidt is accepted as a ‘cool kid’.

There are plenty of laughs on offer as Hill and (surprisingly) Tatum deal out a barrage of gags and one liners.

The film also pokes fun at Hollywood action clichés like freeway chases and explosions, and even takes a selfdepreciating stab at the inordinate amount of remakes the film industry is churning out.

There are some great cameos by Ice Cube as the typical angry black police captain, and Rob Riggle (The Hangover, Step Brothers) as the obnoxious high school gym teacher.

Keep your eyes peeled for an unexpected appearance by Johnny Depp, which instantly adds to the movie’s ‘cool factor’.

21 Jump Street is certainly one of the better comedies to have been released so far in 2012 and is well worth a look.

The blend of action and comedy is sure to entertain most movie goers, and there’s even the obligatory romantic subplot coursing through the film for those with a sappier side.

Very few movies are able to successfully ‘spoof’ a genre; if you want proof examine reprehensible films like Date Movie and Vampires Suck.

21 Jump Street succeeds in this endeavour, placing it among a rare breed of films (even rarer post 2000).

Fans of movies like Step Brothers and Tropic Thunder are likely to thoroughly enjoy the film.

Quality doesn’t have to mean slow Mining, Earth moving, Hydraulics and Agriculture

Transport

General manufacturing and Fabrication

Motor sport, boating and leisure

www.dweonline.net

“Streakin” good love advice

My 10-year high school reunion is coming up and since I wasn’t the most popular guy back then I really want to show people that I’m a success.

The only problem is, I’m not successful at all. I’m not married; in fact, I haven’t had a girlfriend in years. I don’t make very much money, and I drive a burnt out ’92 Ford Falcon.

Is there any way I can make my classmates think I’m successful, even though I’m not?

Luke, Rockhampton

For heaven’s sake, Luke, what have you been doing since you finished high school?

I was the life of the party at my 10-year high school reunion, of course, by that time I’d circumnavigated the globe in a hot air balloon shaped like a pair of breasts, knocked out Saddam Hussein in an invitational kickboxing tournament and French kissed Margaret Thatcher at a pub in London.

That’s quite a funny story, actually.

Maggie invited me back to her place after a few pints, but she unceremoniously kicked me out when I asked her to press my shirt and slacks.

In my defence it was an honest mistake. I thought her nickname was “The Ironing Lady.”

Anyway, it’s clear that you’re no Frank the Tank, so you’ll have to rely on alternative means to conceal your

Sensible Susan

Specialising in the timely delivery of on-spec components for your business.

M: 0448 243 343 E: darylweng@gmail.com

e h t k n a Fr Tank’s

dwe Daryl Watson Engineering

Luke, I’m not sure why you feel it’s necessary to impress people who you haven’t seen in 10 years.

dreadful lack of accomplishment.

Now, obviously the simplest way to seem successful is to lie about it.

You could quite easily rent a nice suit for the evening and attempt to convince your classmates that you’re a successful businessman with three BMWs and a house made out of gold.

A few years ago this might have worked, however since the dawn of Facebook it’s going to be extremely easy for people to fact check your story.

In about 2.4 seconds someone is going to find an image of you, dressed in your underpants, eating baked beans out of the can. Hardly the life of a millionaire.

So if you’re going to go down the path of lying, you’re going to have to be thorough.

I’m talking fake Facebook accounts, fake web pages, the whole box and dice.

I would also recommend saving up a little bit of money and hiring a prostitute, who is much better looking than you, to accompany you to the reunion — this will help create the illusion of vast wealth.

If you’re not prepared to spend weeks cultivating a lie, I do have an easy way out for you.

These days a lot of people go in for that ‘rich in spirit’ garbage.

Wear a fake wedding ring to the reunion and when people ask why you’re so unsuccessful say it’s because you spent all your time and money caring for your recently deceased wife.

They’ll be so moved by your touching dedication to your ‘wife’ they’ll forget all about your wretched failure in other aspects of life.

Frank

It sounds more like you want to convince yourself you’re a success.

If that’s the case, forget the high school reunion, get out and chase the things you feel will make you successful.

Find a girlfriend, look for a better job, start saving for a new car.

It’s never too late to make a change and start working towards what will make you happy.

Susan

If you have a question for Frank and Susan Email Us at: franksusan.shiftminer@gmail.com

Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

5 minute fiction

OFF SHIFT 134th EDITION. 2012

by Bernard S. Jansen

BOAT FOR SALE Cruising catamaran, solid GRP. Built 2001.

Well appointed and very comfortable with full amenities for living aboard and cruising. For full particulars see www.catspaw2011. blogspot.com $125,000 Phone: 0468 389 300 CHEV PACK FOR SALE CAR,TRUCK & TRAILER Only 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo factory S/S drag car LQ $XVWUDOLD VHOO VHSDUDWH $35,000.00 *0& &KHY 6HOO VHSDUDWH 2005 18 foot full tilt beaver tail tandem trailer– FREE with package sale Package Price $65,000.00 Phone 07 5424 6694 CLASSIC FOR SALE Chev 1955 factory right hand drive two door wagon V8 three speed manual with overdrive,All new upholstery New whitewall tyres,All new glass and chrome,New fuel tank,New cd player and speakers, $49,500 Phone 07 5523 0330 or 0409 209 246 PLOUGH FOR SALE Grizzly S24 plough very good condition new bearings discs about 1/2 worn located near rocky. $17000 plus gst ono.

MOTORBIKE FOR SALE HARLEY DAVIDSON 100th Anniversary XL 1200s Sportster Sports. Always garaged and covered.

Windscreen, saddle bags, cruise control. Plus many H[WUDV $OO RULJLQDO SDUWV keep. RELUCTANT SALE. 14500 km\’s.

Lady owner $13500 ono Phone Sue 0427570619 CLASSIC FOR SALE 1970 ht Holden ute immaculate original condition F\OLQGHU VSHHG PDQXDO ÂżUVW WR VHH ZLOO buy $26,950.

Phone : 0422 377 385

CAR FOR SALE '2'*( 5$0 SLT Lonestar Edition Heavy Duty 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel Allison auto trans. Wood grain inserts 5th wheel hitch, tow bar 4 door dual cab Dula Wheels 104000klms $89 000 obo Phone: 0432 429 264

CAR FOR SALE 4X4 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LTZ Z71 Crew Cab 3LFNXS / 'XUDPD[ Diesel Engine, Allison Transmission 75,354klm, leather LQWHULRU ÀDZOHVV RQH owner vehicle loaded with options. $89,700egc. bdunne151@gmail. com CRANE TRUCK FOR SALE

CAR FOR SALE 2002 Ford F250 XLT King Cab 4 X 4, 7.3ltr turbo diesel/gas.

Vic. rego March 2012. $8525$ VOLGH RQ FDPSHU fridge, 4 burn gas cook, +:6 'RXEOH EHG H[W shower, water, deep cycle batteries, 800W inverter, loads storage. STACER boat 3.9m 25HP motor, $80,000 Phone: 0417 587 425

Nissan Atlas Crane Truck

$TXDULXV IW

988 model, 79,000 k

Flybridge cruiser, chart

4495 GVM, Tadano 2T crane P XQGHU KRRN

BOAT FOR SALE

plotter, radar, auto pilot, bow & stern thrusters, zodiac, RFD, 5 berths,

RWC, Only car licence

shower, toilet, 250 lt fridge,

needed to drive

300 lt freezer, air con &

$13,500 07 4941 7147 or

much more. Immac cond.

Gladstone. $155,000 ono.

BOAT FOR SALE

330hp Engine with MPI. Meticulously serviced and cared for.

boarder.

3 Red Genuine

Security screens. Fully turfed & fenced $449,000 minus

Sunshine Coast’s best

and house sites $520,000 the pair will

$17,000 government grants if eligible

sell seperatly POA

Ph: 0421 601 710

Phone: 0447 031 588

HOUSE FOR SALE HOUSE & 43 acres 3 B/Rms, lounge etc, double garage & double carport, 2 water tanks & pump.

7kls from Rosedale town which has Hotel, P.O, handyman & general store, primary & high schools.

Price $270,000 partly furnished.

Phone: 07 4151 4500 LAND FOR SALE Land for sale, Hervey Bay. Turtle Cove Estate.

(OHYDWHG KDOI DFUH ÀDW EORFN ZLWK GHJUHH views of Fraser Island. Cannot be built out.

Underground power, phone and water at front RI EORFN PLQV WR $LUSRUW PLQ ERDWUDPS DQG barge to Fraser. About 10min to Town. ono. $262,000 ono Phone: 0411 098 241

Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

HOUSE FOR SALE Agnes Water, 4 acres, 3 Bed, 2 Bath.

3Metre verandah’s, Carport, 4 Day Shed, Fenced yard, Dam. 7.5 k to town and beach $485,000 Phone: 0409 254 525 ROADHOUSE FOR SALE Condamine Roadhouse.

Western Downs Coal seam gas hub Local & tourist & mining trade Freehold roadhouse w 3 bd house. ,GHDO IDPLO\ WRZQ school ,sports facilities, ÂżVKLQJ VNLLQJ FDPSLQJ lagoon nearby.all offers considered $895K negoitable Phone 07 4627 7106

point break!! Austar, gym, 150m lagoon pool.

Great investment BETTER lifestyle! More info/ pics avail. Be Quick!

Phone: 0424 108 784 HOUSE FOR SALE SUNSHINE COAST SACRIFICE Buy before 30/4/2012 Get $10000 govt bldg boost Brand New impressive Level, 4bed 2 bath, DLUG, Fenced, Side access Room Shed/Van Nth EntertWalk shops/school Fantastic Buy Offers NEAR $400,000 Ph. 0409 055 062 HOUSE FOR SALE Eungella, 90 mins from Mackay.

(FR DUFKLWHFW GHVLJQHG award winning 3 bdrm home on 5 acres, 2 yrs old, 4 bay shed, stunning views.

Adjoining optional 174 acres of improved pasture also for sale. $749,000.

Phone: 0420 104 278

5. On train

11

9. Noblewoman 13

10. Large showy flower 12. Shoulder decoration

14

15

13. Stupid

16

14. Factual

18

17 19

20

16. Barber’s trim

21 22

25

24

19. Stored secretly

23

21. Weather feature, El ...

26

24. Shopping mall 25. Pretended (4-5)

27

28

29

30

27. List of topics 28. Make legitimate 29. Rectifies (text)

Honda Lifejackets

30. Sheerest

85hrs $15,500 ono Phone: 0447 606 727 COMBINE FOR SALE 24 run Horward bagshaw

7 5 9 1 5

DOWN

9 8 8 2 4

1. Spider’s network 2. Aviator 3. Hackneyed 4. Award ribbon 6. Rio de Janeiro native 7. Pact 8. Local languages 11. College 15. Nabbed in the act, caught ... (3-6) 17. Fellow crew member 18. Geisha’s nationality 20. Plunges 21. Tidiest 22. Garb 23. Least busy 26. Conscious (of)

combine 12 new 12 old hoses ram rebuilt good condition.spare boots. $3000 plus gst.

Rural land 15 min cbd

Double garage with elec roller doors & separate laundry

1. Climbs with difficulty

10

12

RANDY strode out ahead of the others, determined to get a good start.

ACROSS

8

3 Seater 1500cc Turbo

YEPPOON, New 4 bedroom 2 bathroom brick home.

balcony overlooking the

7

JET SKI FOR SALE 08/09 Honda F15GPX Turbo

HOUSE FOR SALE

lots good grazing land

6

Phone: 0418 794 525.

Phone 0429 948 198

Fans throughout.

5

for the serious skier/

UNIT FOR SALE

SURVHUSLQH [ DFUH

4

&UDIWVPDQ PDGH H[FHOOHQFH

LAND FOR SALE

Aircon in main bedroom & Media room.

3

9

Mercruiser Black Scorpion

HOUSE FOR SALE

plan unit with a HUGE

2

*HQXLQH KUV

Phone: 0437 657 433 100sqm renovated open

1

Only used in FRESH water.

Phone: 0427 824 880

Phone 0429 948 198

The Drift

BUSINESS FOR SALE

GEARBAGS FOR SALE AUSTRALIA’S TOUGHEST Ideal for Shift Workers Interested in Interior Decorating?

Superior quality canvas gearbag. Duraproof Curtains/Blinds etc in Airlie Beach canvas, internal zip Owner has operated this business for 17yrs and wants up pockets, reinforced to retire. seams, heavy duty carry Largest showroom in the area. 120sqm air con shop handles & zip, 7mm s/s ÀRRU VTP DLU FRQ ZHOO HTXLSSHG ZRUN URRP ZRUN YDQ G ULQJV ZDWHUSURRI DQG 89 Established clientele resistant.

Large stock holding. Assistant of 12yrs prepared to $187 + P&H assist with take over. www.bilja.com.au POA to genuine enquiries Phone: 0407 027 565 Phone: 0409 898 430

3

Fully furnished fully a/c modern home on 7.5 acres 500 metres

5

9 5 3

8

4 5

1

from Midge Point beach, 2 bedrooms 2 HQ VXLWHV ODUJH RIÂżFH or 3rd bedroom large

Shift Miner equipped workshop Handy 15A blank grid

ShiftMInerHandyblank.pdf Phone 0428 476 001 ŠLovatts Publications 2010 HOUSE FOR SALE

carport 3bay shed fully

House on 40 acres near Agnes water QLD. Unique pavillion style home, 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms ZLWK [ VKHG FDUSRUW Partially cleared and fenced, waterhole and a small dam. Large deck and breathtaking views.

15 km from surf beach and town of 1770. $510,000 Phone: 0400 797 075 HOUSE AND LAND FOR SALE 6HOO DFUHV 3URVWRQ DUHD TXLHW FRXQWU\ JHW DZD\ VXLW FDWWOH KRUVH SRXOWU\ H[ FRQWUDFW piggery. 3Brm partly renovated home.

Photos & details our website: http://countrymilefarm.webs.com/ Phone: 0741689226

2

4 1 1 7

3 5 7 6 2

MEDIUM

# 22

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS P L A T ON I O W R L ME A T B A L P K I B OV E R T HR M S E H A RD S I P T OMC A T S I P T O F A I T H F F N E T E I GH T H N E I S E DUC E

C

I M E L EM S O EW R A I B E S E MA D E R A NC S R P L E A E T A S S E

P #A 21 L E N N B A R K L I A YON S D T I A L S E E D J H I S E V T S A N T N E S S E D

5 9 8 1 4 3 7 2 6

1 3 4 6 2 7 5 9 8

2 6 7 8 5 9 4 1 3

3 5 6 9 7 8 2 4 1

9 8 2 4 1 5 6 3 7

7 4 1 3 6 2 9 8 5

6 7 3 2 9 1 8 5 4

4 1 9 5 8 6 3 7 2

8 2 5 7 3 4 1 6 9

It wasn’t a race, of course, they’d all been told. But really, it was. Randy and the rest of the group were completing the final hurdle of their underground induction and familiarisation at Montrose Colliery: walking out the drift.

Randy was a clean-skin; this was his first time underground, ever. A month ago if someone had asked him what a drift was, he’d have said it was when a muscle-car got the back-end sideways in a corner. Now, a drift was the access tunnel into the mine – or right now, out of the mine.

It was only one kilometre long plus change, but it was a staggering 250 metres up.

The bulky weight of his underground belt with the self-rescuer and the massive cap-lamp battery was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. The belt dug into the meat of his hips, chaffing through his sweat-soaked clothes, and the rescuer and battery slapped against his thighs. He grabbed his belt with both hands and reefed it up above his hips, again.

After just a few minutes, Randy’s lungs began to burn. His throat felt clogged with mucus and he coughed and spat against the rib. It helped him breath for a minute, but the burning got worse and his chest felt tight. He stopped to take in precious air, bending over and holding himself up with his hands on his knees.

Randy looked back and saw two of the younger blokes were barely 10 paces behind him.

Break over. Randy powered off up the drift, faster than before. Within 50 paces he was paying for it. He had to stop to breathe or he knew he’d pass out. He was about to look behind him again when the two blokes he’d been worried about suddenly walked past him. He looked quickly down the drift in time to watch yet another man, this bloke older, and the only experienced

miner in the group, walk right past him too.

No one said anything as they passed each other. They wouldn’t think to waste oxygen on speaking.

Randy accepted that he’d come fourth. At least it wasn’t last. All he had to do was keep up with the old codger. One step at a time, he trundled up the drift, though now he was also beginning to notice the effect of the headwind coming down, pushing onto him.

Randy wondered why he was doing this. He had to, of course, to be approved to work underground.

The rule at Montrose was that if you couldn’t walk out the drift in 30 minutes, you weren’t going back down again, ever. It was a tough rule, but so was Randy – he thought.

Besides, he’d set his heart on working in a underground coal mine.

Actually, he’d set his heart on a Clubsport ute and a giant plasma and a hundred other things that the money could buy him. And the wife.

Keeping up with the old bloke turned into a pipe dream. In fact, he went past the two younger guys in the last 50 metres, and seemed to be picking up speed. At about that time, the last two inductees came past him, leaving him to take up the wooden spoon with the trainer-assessor.

The trainer checked his watch. Now it was a race against time. Before Randy took off again, the trainer said, “Take small steps.� “Hey?� “Try taking small steps. It’ll help.�

And so he did. And it did help. His lungs were burning, his chest was aching and his legs were like jelly, but he made it to the top.

He stood at the portal, blinking in the light and wheezing. “How did I do for time?�

The trainer-assessor glanced at his watch. “Twenty-eight minutes.�

Bernard S. Jansen is 32, married has three young boys. He lives in Emerald, works as an engineer at a local coal mine and is active in his local church. Read more of Bernard’s writing online at surgebin.blogspot.com or email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com GOT AN IDEA FOR A STORY? Let Bernard know - email him at bernard.jansen@gmail.com or hop on his blog surgebin.blogspot.com

Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

OFF SHIFT

OFF SHIFT

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

Bait shop Banter FOR something a little different in this issue of Shift Miner, we have Gazza from Pat’s Tackle World in Gladstone giving tips on how to land a large barra.

Take it away, Gazza...

Setting up for barra fishing This topic is hot at the moment. The Awoonga dam has gone over several times already this season and the rivers are primed and packed with BIG healthy tackle-busting fish.

I am going to give you some helpful hints on how to set up to stop one of these iconic fish because there is nothing worse than having inferior gear and losing a fish of a lifetime.

Overheads/baitcasters This is the most popular method to catch barra because of the directness you have with casting. The tackle of today is light, robust and easy on the arm when casting for long periods of time.

Set up This is just a guide and I for one am not product-specific. There are many combinations available, so make sure you do your research before you purchase an outfit, as with all things the more you spend the better the gear and quality.

Rod 6/10kg 6/8 foot preferably graphite good guides and rod grip.

Popular brands, just to name a few, include: • Shimano Raiders • Diawa Excellers • Samurai • ATC. Reels • Shimano Curado/Citica • Diawa HRF • Abu Garcia 5000/5500 Braid is the best line to use to fish these out-

Tide Times

April

fits because of its feel and diameter thinness.

For your leader (which attaches the fishing line to the hook for those of you who are absolute beginners), Fluoro Carbon is tough and translucent, meaning you can’t see it when it’s in the water.

Balance is critical as there is no point having a heavy reel on a light rod or visa versa. The most important thing of all don’t try to stop these fish by being undergunned; use 20/30 Ib Braid 50/60 Ib leaders and you will have the upper hand. Some of these fish are nudging 1.2 metres and weigh 60 Ib. And are all muscle.

If you can’t use a baitcaster, don’t worry.

You can set up a fantastic spin outfit using the same formula 400-size reel 6/10kg 7ft rods with plenty of butt grunt and a firm tip.

It is better to spend a little more on the reel as this is the critical part of the gear, especially in the drag department. There are some great combinations available, so speak to your local tackle store.

MACKAY Gladstone

Time Ht Time Ht

Time Ht

Time Ht

Till next time, tight lines and burnt thumbs.

If you have a good photo or fishing yarn send it through to our resident bait chucker-

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

With Mike Griffin

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0456 0.57 0546 0.80 0015 4.16 0117 3.92 0229 3.74 0350 3.68 0503 3.73 1055 3.87 1146 3.58 0643 1.07 0750 1.28 0908 1.36 1026 1.29 1132 1.13 1658 0.62 1741 0.91 1243 3.31 1351 3.11 1511 3.06 1633 3.18 1741 3.42 2322 4.38

1831 1.22 1942 1.48 2109 1.59 2237 1.52 2348 1.36

0010 6.05 0059 5.81 0153 5.48 0259 5.16 0421 4.97 0548 5.01 0042 1.61 0641 0.79 0734 1.13 0835 1.46 0952 1.66 1121 1.61 1238 1.36 0658 5.17 1230 5.07 1323 4.61 1427 4.20 1547 3.98 1720 4.06 1840 4.39 1336 1.08 1842 0.63 1929 1.02 2027 1.44 2144 1.75 2318 1.80

1939 4.76

Mon 16 Tue 17 Wed 18 Thu 19 Fri 20 Sat 21 Sun 22 MACKAY Gladstone

If you are in Gladstone come in and say hi. We are happy to chew the fat and set you up with the right gear and give you the best places to nail a barra.

This is a once-in-a-30-year event so get out there and get amongst it. They are an awesome adversary.

Your weather forecast

Mon 9 Tue 10 Wed 11 Thu 12 Fri 13 Sat 14 Sun 15

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht 0602 3.81 0041 1.20 0124 1.08 0201 1.01 0234 0.96 0305 0.95 0335 0.97 1224 0.97 0650 3.85 0729 3.85 0804 3.81 0836 3.75 0907 3.66 0936 3.55 1833 3.64 1305 0.86 1341 0.80 1412 0.77 1441 0.77 1507 0.80 1531 0.86

1916 3.82 1951 3.94 2024 4.03 2055 4.09 2124 4.10 2153 4.08

0145 1.36 0234 1.20 0316 1.13 0352 1.13 0424 1.15 0454 1.20 0523 1.29 0751 5.29 0834 5.31 0911 5.24 0944 5.13 1014 4.99 1042 4.82 1108 4.63 1422 0.89 1501 0.81 1535 0.79 1604 0.81 1630 0.85 1654 0.92 1717 1.03 2024 5.03 2102 5.21 2137 5.33 2208 5.41 2237 5.45 2304 5.43 2331 5.35

Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

Dramatically Dry Week 1 - After the heavy rain of mid March and the high humidity the air has dramatically dried. The afternoon humidity was an oppressive 95-98% around the 18 & 20th Mar; due to the monsoon low that move over the Coalfields and dumped heavy rain. Most areas received close to 100mm in a few days. This caused floods in the rivers and and creeks and cut the Capricorn Hwy in a few places. Now drier autumn air has arrived and lowered the humidity over the first week of April to as low as 20% in the afternoons.

What a relief!! This makes this Easter one of the best Easters for camping in many years. No threat of floods as the rivers are all falling and the Central Queensland coast is inviting.

This all commenced with the Monsoon Trough that caused the heavy rain over CQ and the Queensland Coast during the 3rd week of March. It moved east towards Fiji causing massive flooding similar to Queensland. Also sporning Tropical Cyclone Daphne which heads south towards NZ as an extra-tropical low. Helping drive cooler drier southerly air from NSW over the whole of inland Queensland; even reaching the Gulf.

A relaxing resort regardless of the name

OFFSHIFT SPECIALS

As the low looses it influence around the middle of the week a fresh SE/E causes coastal showers and cooler days for the Coalfields.

Boaties!! The mid-week winds look a bit rough for the remainder of the week. Seas should be over around 1-62.0 metres with the odd squally shower.

Week 2 - The SOI has fallen to well below La Nina criteria.

The value for the 4th Apr comes in at +0.3 and falling. The lowest value since July 2011. After two La Nina years we could be heading for a Neutral period in months to come.

If the large high develops in the Tasman Sea more comfortable conditions continue with maximums around the 28-29C. Then a slight warming later in the week as the easterly wind eases.

Marine Lovers. The coastal winds post Easter could continue into the 11-12th Apr. There is a chance of the winds easing along the Central Coast pre-weekend before the Capricorn followers; later in the weekend.

WHEN it comes to resort accommodation it’s not the name on the front gate but the experience that counts.

Clive Palmer’s Coolum resort, previously the Hyatt Coolum Regency, Golf & Spa Resort, is set to prove the point after the spectacular removal of the Hyatt as managers.

Staff say it’s now business as usual and the door are open for guests who want to relax, unwind and be rejuvenated at the coastal retreat.

Shift Miner recently checked out the place for two-nights as the resort tries to entice more miners to the sprawling complex that features a world championship golf course (home of the Australian PGA), six pools, kilometres of bike tracks and several tennis courts including grass.

All you need to enjoy the facilities is friends and family as it’s all laid on for you and your guests from the moment you arrive.

We spent the first evening recovering from a hectic day’s travel before a late check-in. The resort itself was recovering from one of the roughest storms to hit the Sunshine Coast in years, dumping inches of rain on Coolum.

Still, reception and valet parking staff we spoke to were friendly and informative.

Realising the need for food and a cool drink we were shown the Village Square by our golf buggy driver, Greg, who also helped with bags to the rooms and answered questions. The Village Square offers guests a range of restaurant options from wood-fired pizzas to five star dining. “There’s even a night club,� he said, pulling up outside a quiet building. “It gets going a bit later.�

More focused on revival than revelling, we opted for a cosy corner at Noodles Asian restaurant upstairs at the Village Square after picking a bottle of Astrolabe NZ Savignon Blanc at the bottle shop. At $35 it was $11 above the retail we pay at our local bottle shop but still cheaper than most restaurant wine lists. The shop is loaded with good qual-

ity reds and whites and you can take them along BYO to the restaurants. BYO is also an option for those who want to pack smart.

Reminding us of the unpretentious nature of the place, quality wine glasses are available at the bottle shop to use with your purchase.

It’s a nice touch wine lovers appreciate.

The food came quickly to our table, was superb quality and of the right proportion.

Ginger Beef and Mee Goreng suited the wine and we agreed the Hyatt has put us in a more relaxed frame of mind.

The next day it was time to laze in the main pool near the Village Square as we decided on the possibilities for the day. A trip to the on-site art gallery gives a great overview of the local art scene inspired by the beauty and ruggedness of the coast and Mt Coolum. As the host of the PGA the golf course is a test for anyone.

Play it or walk it - the course is spectacular.

The private spa has a range of treatments (and treats!) available for men and women, including massages and saunas but regular fitness classes aren’t available on Sundays so be aware if you want to do yoga and pilates.

It’s available every other day. Outside there is a 25 metre lap pool and heated jacuzzi.

Mid afternoon we played tennis badly for 90 minutes or so on the main court, with balls and racquet’s provided. Drenched with sweat after our workout in the very quiet resort (we only saw four people the whole time we played), we had a quick dip in the pool before showers and dining at Bruschetta.

Another fine meal of oysters, carpaccio, lamb and succulent beef, New Zealand savignon blanc and Australian Kilakanook blended red to finish with a very rich tiramisu from the abundant menu.

After two days there was a lot we didn’t experience and we were disappointed we weren’t staying a week. We’ll be back, no matter what the name on the gate, it will just be for longer.

More information including latest rates are available on www.wotif.com for up to the minute deals.

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Page 21 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

Your Health

MONEY MATTERS

134th EDITION. 2012

134th EDITION. 2012

EXPERT ADVICE

Bowen Basin investor selling spree

For those too busy or embarrassed to ask the important questions about their health Dear Tammy, Are there any foods I could be eating to help stop me contracting Macular Degeneration. My father has the disease and I’m worried about losing my eyesight too.

Regards, Shifty Dear Shifty, It’s great you want to tackle your eye health rather than become a possible statistic in the future. Macular Degeneration, or MD, is actually the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. It is a degenerative disease of the retina, which has the job to process the visual images you see. MD is painless and affects your ability to see fine detail, drive, read and recognise faces.

One in seven people over the age of 50 is affected in some ways and MD is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. People with a family history of MD also have a 50 per cent chance of developing the disease.

There are two types of MD – t he dry form occurs with a gradual loss of vision while the wet form causes a sudden loss of vision and is caused by

abnormal blood vessels growing into the retina. Early detection is vital, and while there is no cure for MD there are treatment options available that can slow down its progression.

Symptoms Key symptoms of MD include: • Difficulty with reading • Distortion of vision where straight lines appear wavy or bent • Difficulty distinguishing faces • Dark patches or empty spaces appearing in the centre of the vision.

In terms of nutrition and your lifestyle, there are plenty of things you can do to help ward off MD and a well-balanced diet is essential.

• Limit your intake of fat • Eat fish 2-3 times a week • Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits on a daily basis • Eat a handful of nuts each week • Don’t smoke.

You can also speak to your doctor about taking a zinc and antioxidant supplement to support your eye health, and don’t forget to wear your sunnies when you’re out and about!

Until next time, stay healthy, stay informed.

Tammy Farrell is a registered nurse, nutritionist and author of ‘The Real Man’s Toolbox – A DIY Health Manual for Men’. Tammy grew up in the Hunter Valley with two brothers in the local coal mines. In 2007, she started to give health talks in the Hunter, and that’s when she began compiling the book, helping hundreds of men answer questions about their bodies.

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INTERSTATE investors - and not mining companies - are rushing to snap up real estate in Bowen Basin towns, according to one real estate agent.

Ray White Mackay City agent Vicky Johnson had 10 houses in Moranbah and Dysart that were set to go under the hammer at a bulk auction in March.

However, torrential rain in the region meant the auction was cancelled, but already four of the properties have contracts drawn up on them.

“I have been fielding really strong inquiry mainly from interstate investors,” said Ms Johnson.

“Mostly they are from Sydney and Melbourne but we have also had a couple of South Australian investors.

“I approached the mining companies themselves, but they weren’t looking to buy, which surprised me a bit.”

The houses varied in price from mid $500,000s to high $900,000s, and Ms Johnson said more owners were interested in putting their properties on the market to cash in on record prices.

“I am still getting phone calls from

Moranbah properties are in demand - but not by mining companies.

people who are looking at selling; in fact I am heading out to Moranbah again on Thursday to meet a few potential buyers,” she said.

Ms Johnson said a bulk auction would be considered again in the future.

“Mostly they are from Sydney and Melbourne but we have also had a couple of South Australian investors.”

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Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

We build your future Page 23 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

MONEY MATTERS 134th EDITION. 2012

Workers fluctuate, but buyers still flocking DEMAND for real estate in Gladstone will rise and fall in line with LNG workforce requirements this year, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ).

Local agent and REIQ representative Mark Spearing said the market was steady, but linked to workforce requirements. “We are going to see a slight undulation in the market throughout 2012 in line with various workforce movements to and from the island [Curtis Island] as they start on workers’ camps,� he said.

Aside from that slight fluctuation, Mr Spearing said the overall picture remained constant for the medium term. “We will have continued pressure, particularly in the under $600,000 category, for at least the next three years. “We will continue to have a strong market for the next five years, it’s a long cycle.�

Mr Spearing was scathing in his criticism of the former Bligh government’s planning for the city, which is experiencing an unprecedented boom off the back of the burgeoning multi-billion dollar LNG industry. “State government planning has been extremely poor or, in other words, non-existent - and their lack of support has been

stand out,� he said.

However, he did not expect the situation to change under Campbell Newman’s new LNP government. “That is really a question for Campbell, but I don’t see things changing, no.�

Mr Spearing said the city urgently needed investment in community infrastructure such as roads, parks and recreational centres. “We are falling behind because the local ratepayer base is not large enough to cope with the pressures being put on them at every corner. “We have to make this city as liveable as possible to attract the workers we need, and that is just not happening.�

However, Mr Spearing admitted those factors were not slowing sales in the real estate market. “It’s not putting off investors, and local buyers tend to know the situation anyway,� he said. “But I think in the longer term it will be an issue.�

The median house price in Gladstone jumped 8.6 per cent in the December quarter to sit at $478,000, and the vacancy rate for rentals is now less than one per cent.

Lammermoor Conve Centre / Service St Lammermoor Convenience Capricorn Coast Centre / Service Station

Gladstone is experiencing an unprecedented boom off the back of the burgeoning multibillion dollar LNG industry.

Buyers are literally coming from far and wide. “We have local investing, developers who have been working in Gladstone for a long time pressing the go button, and buy-

ers from other resource markets,� said Mr Spearing. “It’s a mixed bag, there is interest from every corner.�

Capricorn Coast

Lammermoor Conven Centre / Service Sta

“We are going to see a slight undulation in the market throughout 2012 in line with various workforce movements to and from the island [Curtis Island] as they start on workers’ camps.�

Capricorn Coast

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Page 24 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

150 Scenic Hwy, Cooee Bay, QLD

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Page 25 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

MONEY MATTERS 134th EDITION. 2012

MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Making your money work for you

I’m looking to borrow to invest in a rental property and have been told getting an interest only loan is an option? Can you please explain how it works?

With an Interest Only facility, you can repay only the interest on your loan for the first few years of the loan.

The interest only period varies between financial institutions but five years is quite common.

This type of loan is often attractive if you are an investor, as it enables you to maximise your tax deductions, by claiming all interest payments, and free up any surplus funds for other investments.

I am in line for a pay rise and am considering putting the extra funds toward my mortgage. If I put the money into my mortgage, can access it later if something unexpected comes up?

Many lenders allow you to make extra repayments on your mortgage and also provide a redraw facility should you need to access your savings in the future.

Offset accounts are useful if you want to pay off your mortgage sooner.

A mortgage offset account is simply a savings account linked to your loan account.

The big difference is that the balance in the savings account is offset against that owing on the mortgage.

Your financial institution can advise you of the details regarding your mortgage loan to ensure the product you have qualifies for these products.

Maria Kananghinis Retail Banking Officer The Rock Building Society Phone 07 4931 5568

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Page 26 - Shift Miner Magazine, 9th April 2012

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