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Monday 27th August 144th Edition 2012
M A G A Z I N E
FIFO overhaul looms Changes essential: Windsor
FEDERAL hearings into fly-in, fly-out work have ended and are expected to make broad recommendations for sweeping changes to the practice to lessen the impact on workers and resource communities. The final presentations were in Canberra on Thursday and brought to a close almost a year of hearings across the country that included Moranbah, Mackay and Brisbane. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia hearings have been chaired by Independent MP Tony Windsor. His chief of staff, Graham Nuttall, has told Shift Miner a comprehensive report would now be drawn up from the more than 220 written submissions received and the hours of face-to-face hearings. These ranged from mining companies, such as Rio Tinto and BHP, to interest groups, such as the Scarlet Alliance, which represents sex workers. The big issues have been housing, social implications for major resource towns and the pressure on services. The town of Moranbah has become symbolic of the issues surrounding FIFO and DIDO and hosted hearings, which the then mayor Cedric Marshall criticised for being too short. It heard from students, residents, workers and businesses that gave the overall impression that the town just isn’t coping with the extra workers.
MARKET FUN
News QRC cautions on royalties Âť page 4 News New rail depot for Nebo Âť page 5 News Service key to contracts Âť page 9 News Carbon tax hits imports Âť page 10 Sport Bush Pigs defend like dogs Âť page 24 News Chinese buy Mt Morgan gold Âť page 12
Blackwater shrugs off winter Âť Â Â More pictures page 17
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Money Matters Borrowing to invest Âť page 25
9 CONTENTS NEWS 4 QRC cautions on royalties
10
8 Gas research 3 probes water impact
6 4
5 Pacific National opens Nebo depot
9 Gladstone anglers wait on court
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Page 3 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Government cautioned against royalty hikes
THE QUEENSLAND Resources Council is cautioning the State Government against any hikes in mining royalties in next month’s budget, saying mining companies are struggling. The QRC’s chief executive Michael Roche said most thermal coal mines in Queensland are either running at a loss or struggling to stay in the black and the contagion is spreading quickly among premium
coking coal operations. “The reality is that most QRC coal members are well down the track of extensive cost reviews. Further job losses are a certainty,” he said at the Coaltrans Australia Conference in Brisbane. The QRC has told the government that the Queensland coal industry is already globally uncompetitive - but that it would like nothing more than to make significant con-
Page 4 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
tributions via royalty payments to help get the state’s budget back in the black. “Of course industry’s clear preference is to be delivering that revenue through growth in volumes, not by an increase in royalty rates,” Mr Roche said. “The government of the day is elected to take hard decisions. We have to respect those decisions because they are never made lightly. “The bottom line in 2012 is that many Queensland coal producers are now generating cash losses.” The Queensland industry was also still feeling the effects of natural disasters, Mr Roche said. The main coal-producing regions lost about $7 billion in sales as a result of floods and Cyclone Yasi, which struck in January 2011. “QRC’s economics team estimates that as a result of the floods, Queensland lost at least six per cent of its global market share to American exporters alone. You can’t blame them for seizing an opportunity,” Mr Roche said.
Queensland coal mines were still holding enormous amounts of water, 19 months on from the floods, and that was also affecting production, Mr Roche said. Producers want permission to dump diluted pit water this wet season, and over seasons to come, so production can return to full capacity.
Last year’s floods are still impacting on the bottom line of mines, says QRC’s Michael Roche, and this means some are operating at a loss.
“The bottom line in 2012 is that many Queensland coal producers are now generating cash losses.”
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Pacific National opens Nebo depot FAST NEWS PACIFIC National (PN) said it will reduce bottlenecks, increase the amount of coal it carries and cut capital costs by adopting a new philosophy at its Nebo maintenance facility. Since 2009, PN has secured a number of coal haulage contracts in Queensland to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, the Port of Gladstone and Abbot Point. It’s venture into Queensland broke the monopoly Queensland Rail previously held for the transport of local coal. However to handle the maintenance of this service they have now completed construction of a new maintenance base. The multi-million dollar facility can handle up to 16 full trains sets but has the capacity to be upgraded to 25 should PN realise plans for an expanded service in the Bowen Basin. The most notable element of the new Nebo maintenance centre is that wagons won’t be “shunted” and “marshalled” around the yard when maintenance is being done. Instead they will use a “block changeout” system where a set of 40 wagons and a loco will be dropped off an operating coal train for servicing. Another fully serviced set will then rejoin the train for hauling duties.
PACIFIC National (PN) said it will reduce bottlenecks, increase the amount of coal it carries and cut capital costs by adopting a new philosophy at its Nebo maintenance facility.
RIO Tinto says it will take about six years to clean up the Blair Athol Mine that it will close in December. Once the site is rehabilitated for grazing or vegetation the Queensland Government will return the $84 million bond, known as land assurance. Rehabilitation work is expected to begin about a year after the mine shuts.
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Mine info on-line
General manager of Queensland operations for PN Geoff Featherstone says the new system will increase efficiency. “It’s all built on a batch size maintenance philosophy and what we term pit stop maintenance,” he said. “The train comes in and stops for an hour, and it is all very much about high utilisation of assets. “To achieve this we have had to rework contracts, change rosters and redesign the way we manage our time and people
“It will lead to lower inventory and will increase the number of trips per train per year. “It has also meant we could build the facility with six kilometres less track and we don’t have holding roads and other structures that you might see in other maintenance facilities.” The new depot, which officially opened last week, employed more than 250 people in the construction phase, and will employ around 100 in the operational phase.
...as QR National cuts 900 jobs QR NATIONAL is to cut 900 jobs as part of its restructure program. The job cuts were confirmed on Thursday as the freight company announced a massive 22 per cent rise in full year profit to $440.9 million in the year to June 30, from $360.9 million in 2010/11. The company also announced it would undertake an on-market buyback of up to 10 per cent of its shares. The details were released through a statement which outlined how the job cuts would be made.
Six years for clean up
About 750 voluntary redundancies will be part of the ongoing restructure with the balance being made up of roles that have been axed. Where the positions are and how services will be affected has not been released by QR National. “The benefits of transformation and restructuring, including the strong expected uptake for the current voluntary redundancy program, will deliver sustainable cost savings and efficiencies in coming years,” managing director Lance Hockridge said.
The cuts were expected after the company announced in June that more than 500 employees would be made redundant. Meanwhile, Mr Hockridge forecast only a modest increase in coal volumes for the year to June 2013 to between 195 million and 205 million tonnes for the company. “Clearly we’re cautious about the current environment,” Mr Hockridge said. Despite lower volumes the company delivered a 52 per cent increase in underlying earnings before interest and tax to $584 million for the year to June 2012.
LANDHOLDERS and regional councils throughout Queensland now have free and easy access to information about exploration and mining activity in their local area. The new Local Area Mining Permit Report has been added to the Queensland Government Business and Industry website. This free online service aims at keep the community and regional councils informed about any mining and petroleum activities in their local area. Users can search for resource activity by local government boundary, an individual property using real property descriptions, or within two kilometres of a property in their area.
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Pipe plant opens A NEW $28 million Toowoomba manufacturing facility that will supply pipeline systems to the Coal Seam Gas, mining and water industries has opened. The 60,000 square metre facility is owned by Iplex Pipelines, a division of Fletcher Building, and will supply about 7000kms of polyethylene pipe to QGCs Queensland Curtis LNG and Santos GLNG. Fifty permanent jobs have been created at the new facility that uses the latest pipe extrusion technology to achieve fast and efficient production with reduced energy use.
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Clive to show off cars CLIVE Palmer has announced he will build a vintage car museum on the Sunshine Coast to show off up to 50 vehicles in his private collection. These include the first Fiat ever sold in Australia and a pristine 1948 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith. A team of bidders recently jetted to Denmark on behalf of Professor Palmer and got the keys to $2.5 million worth of vintage cars from the Aalholm Automobile Museum sale including a 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost that cost $830,000.
Page 5 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
CSG centre announces first round of projects MEASURING the impact of the gas industry on underground water supplies will be one of the initial research projects at The University of Queensland’s Centre for Coal Seam Gas. Researchers will analyse underground water chemistry in the three-year project and this will improve the understanding of the impacts coal seam dewatering has on aquifers. “Incorporation of water chemistry data that is held by CSG companies into a unified database will greatly extend understanding of basin hydrology, aquifer interactions and processes controlling the water chemistry,” lead researcher Associate Professor Sue Vink said at the announcement of the first round of projects. “This project will result in publicly available databases that identify health and environmental risk indicators, provide a baseline for assessing aquifer connectivity, and guide water re-use, treatment and re-injection options.” In two more technically-focused projects, researchers will improve understanding of coal permeability and stimulation methods, including hydraulic fracturing, permitting better gas recovery, and establish how
unwanted solid particles resulting from drilling and well operation can be reduced. In another project, social scientists will assess and track cumulative impacts of coal seam gas development on the society and economy of a single region. They will look at the combined positive and negative impacts of multiple resource projects. “For industry, the impacts of one proposed project can become entangled with those of their competitors. But communities and the region as a whole are experiencing the sum of these impacts,” researcher Associate Professor Will Rifkin said. The project will focus on the CSG developments in the Surat Basin in south-east Queensland as a case study. Researchers will identify indicators of cumulative impact that government, business and members of the community agree on. “In other words, out of the mass of changes – housing prices, traffic levels, funding for infrastructure development – what does one track to determine how the impacts are really felt in the region? By identifying a limited number of key indicators, we can better make sense of a complex situation to assess cumulative impacts and determine how to respond
Pipes being laid to carry gas - measuring the impact of the booming gas industry on underground water supplies and the Surat Basin are two of the initial research projects at The University of Queensland’s Centre for Coal Seam Gas.
to them,” Associate Professor Rifkin said. UQ agricultural scientists are also leading research on the coexistence of CSG with oth-
er resource-using activities, such as farming. Full details of all research projects can be found at www.ccsg.uq.edu.au/research
“For industry, the impacts of one proposed project can become entangled with those of their competitors. But communities and the region as a whole are experiencing the sum of these impacts.”
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Page 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Black days no joke for workers
A “BLACK day” has long been something of a joke shared amongst fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers but a website found nothing to laugh about after experiencing an unprecedented 15,000 hits on the topic. Mining Family Matters, a website that offers support to FIFO workers and their families, suggests that “black days” are not only real, they’re also commonly experienced. The site’s resident psychologist Angie Willcocks recently wrote on the supposed black day, a term usually used by the person flying or driving out to describe either their last day at home, or the day they leave. After five months, the number of visitors to the column stands at 14,970 and is still climbing. “It took us completely by surprise,” says the website’s co-founder Alicia Ranford. “We’ve always known about black days but we didn’t appreciate just how strongly it was felt by those in the mining industry and their families.” For Bob, an electrician married with three children and working a FIFO roster,
feelings of extreme anxiety, being lost and unable to focus characterised his black day. “I’ve worked in mining for nearly 15 years and I’ve always had difficulty with this, it is something I’ve never been able to get used to,” he said. Max, an emergency response coordinator, said he didn’t label it a black day but recognised the symptoms and the timing. “I have a huge knot in my stomach and spend the last day of my break wondering if I’ve done enough work around the house, have I caught up with friends and family enough, and generally feel irritable and depressed.” According to Ms Willcocks, recognising that the issue is real is important for both the industry and its workers. “By identifying the problem, people can work on simple strategies to alleviate it,” she said. “Plus, it’s the old adage that a problem shared is a problem halved. Knowing that you’re not alone in feeling this way can be a huge help.” See the original column from Angie Willcocks: www.miningfm.com.au/ask-our-experts
“I have a huge knot in my stomach and spend the last day of my break wondering if I’ve done enough work around the house, have I caught up with friends and family enough, and generally feel irritable and depressed.”
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Page 8 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Better service needed to land contracts BETTER service and improved communication with customers could lead to more mining contracts for businesses in the Central Highlands. The observation is one of several made in an Industry Capability Audit for the region by Foresight Partners on behalf of the Central Highlands Development Corporation and DEEDI. The report looked at the complexities of local procurement in the mining boom towns. “Invariably there are challenges at all levels of the supply chain,” the report said. At $5.2 billion mining generates over half of the region’s 2010/11 value in produced goods. The report recommended businesses work harder to understand the mining supply chain and commit to a program of improvement to provide more added value. It said local businesses should also try to communicate better with clients and potential clients. “Focus on customer service level and communication. Most contractors and mining operators understand that smaller local suppliers cannot compete on price, but if they make up for it in other areas such as valueadded services they still have a great chance
of winning contracts,” Foresight Partners said. “Focus on improving systems and capabilities, such as e-commerce systems, quality management systems, occupational health and safety, which will improve competitiveness for the higher spend contracts which are more sustainable and will serve their business better over the longer term.” They also suggested businesses market their capabilities and services offered to the mining industry and seek government assistance for improving their business procedures. Eight supply and procurement managers from mines in the region were interviewed as part of the study to better identify what businesses could do to prequalify for contracts. Foresight Partners found each mine had key criteria that had to be addressed and this often included providing information on company structure, financial strength, work history and insurances. The report also highlighted through these interviews that some of the common qualities that made companies more successful in being taken on as contractors or suppliers included offering a high level of value added service, good communication and availability and a quick turnaround on work.
A report into business opportunities in the Central Highlands has found companies can land more mining-related work with better service and improved communication with customers.
“Focus on customer service level and communication. Most contractors and mining operators understand that smaller local suppliers cannot compete on price, but if they make up for it in other areas such as valueadded services they still have a great chance of winning contracts.”
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Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Tax pushes down imports CAUTION surrounding the Carbon Tax introduced on July 1 is the most likely cause of a dip in imports of heavy machinery for the month of June. In the latest Shelbourne Shipping data 1960 heavy machines, worth about $585 million, were imported to Australia in June. This continued the decline that started in March. Overall machinery units imported in June decreased by 11 per cent and their value was down 15 per cent. A total of 223 dump trucks were imported for the month and 16 drilling machines. Just under a $100 million worth of tyres were
imported for the month, slightly down on May. “We believe this decrease reflects the general industry uncertainty surrounding the government’s Carbon Tax,” the update said. “Customers seem to be placing fewer orders until the full effects of the tax are known and their own rising stock levels of equipment are reduced.” The Carbon Tax punishes the 500 highest carbon emitters in the country by charging them $23 per tonne of emissions. This rises to $24.15 per tonne next financial year and then to $25.40 per tonne in 2014-15. About $24.5 billion will be raised through the tax in three years.
Yancoal posts profit
Surat growth still a FIFO story AS MANY as one in 13 people employed in some districts are working on a FIFO or DIDO roster, according to new report into the Surat Basin in Southern Queensland. The Surat Basin population report released by Queensland Treasury found the number of people employed in mining and gas is growing in the traditional agricultural area. However, across the whole basin nonresident workers still only make up just 2 per cent of the total workforce, although that is an increase of 50 per cent on 2010. Currently there are around 3270 nonresident workers in the Surat Basin out of an estimated total population of 204,000. Not surprisingly, the more sparsely settled a region, the larger the percentage of workers who don’t live locally. In the Maranoa and Western Downs local government areas the proportion of FIFO/ DIDO workers ranged from 6 to 8 per cent. In the Toowoomba Shire they made up less than 1 per cent of the population. Chinchilla has the most non-resident workers with just over 500 people staying there for work. The population report forecasts that the total population of non-resident workers in
the Surat Basin will peak in 2015 when coal and gas projects reach a high point in their construction phase. Queensland Treasury is forecasting that between 3220 and 7030 non-resident workers will be employed in the Surat Basin at this time, falling to around 4000 in 2018. Other observations made in the report were that three out of five employees were working for mining contractors, with the remainder employed directly by mining companies. Around 68 per cent of non-resident workers were flying to and from work, and about two thirds are staying in mining camps. Meanwhile, the final day of the senate enquiry into FIFO and DIDO has heard a new government authority is needed to manage related issues. Dr Bruce Walker, from the Alice Springs-based remoteFOCUS, said unless the new body formed nothing will change in remote areas. “We don’t have anybody who actually looks after remote Australia as a place,” he said. The first report from the enquiry, headed by Independent MP Tony Windsor, is due in November. * For more on Surat Basin population issues turn to Money Matters page 25
“Currently there are around 3270 non-resident workers in the Surat Basin out of an estimated total population of 204,000.” Page 10 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
YANCOAL Australia has posted a profit after tax of $415.7 million for it first half-year report since it was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in June. The outlook for the next year is not so positive and Yancoal said it would reduce costs across it mining operations where possible and focus its capital expenditure on essential items and projects. The company operates Yarrabee mine near Blackwater in central Queensland, and has a
near 50 per cent share in Middlemount mine. Yancoal holds a 5.6 per cent share in the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal in Gladstone. “The next few months will be difficult for the company as lower coal prices and the strong Australian dollar impact the business,” said Yancoal’s chief executive Murray Bailey. “However, Yancoal has a number of quality assets, a highly capable workforce and is well positioned to ride through the current market downturn.”
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News
144th EDITION. 2012
Arrow shoots ahead with new drill technology
ARROW Energy has just signed a $135 million drilling agreement that will deliver four new hi-tech coal seam gas (CSG) rigs and related drilling technology. The all-purpose rigs use technology that allows the rig to be remote controlled and will create more than 100 jobs across Queensland. The rigs will be supplied by Australianbased Sirius Well Manufacturing Services (SWMS) - a new joint venture company formed by Arrow’s parent company Royal Dutch Shell and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). “SWMS will strengthen Arrow’s drilling and production future and deliver widespread efficiencies for the life of Arrow’s project,” Arrow chief executive Andrew Faulkner said. “We also expect these rigs to help further reduce Arrow’s operational footprint, which is part of our ongoing commitment to coexistence with agriculture.” SWMS chief executive Hu Xin Feng said Sirius was a significant technology investment that would improve the performance of CSG rigs. “SWMS harnesses CNPC’s cost-efficient drilling and service expertise with Shell’s proprietary drilling technology,” Mr Hu said. The rigs consist of a specialised, portable
truck-mounted system that will be the best drilling rig available for Australian CSG operations. It offers faster more consistent drilling on a smaller footprint. SWMS will oversee the building and operation of the rigs. They expect to deliver four rigs in 2013 and ramp up that figure considerably by 2015 with an associated support workforce of about 400 staff. Meanwhile, resource services company WorleyParson has been awarded Arrow Energy’s $2 million preliminary engineering design contract of about 1150km of gas pipelines for the LNG project. The scope of the Brisbane-based design, among the largest pipeline projects in Australia, includes Arrow’s two major pipelines that will carry natural gas from its gas fields in the Bowen and Surat basins more than 500km to Gladstone. Mr Faulkner said the pipeline design was an important milestone of Arrow’s LNG project. “WorleyParsons was chosen for its understanding of our requirements and its availability to complete the work appropriately,” Mr Faulkner said. “The pipeline design includes steel pipelines, isolation valve stations and a gas gathering hub in Gladstone.”
.... as debate flares over Dalby gas fire WHY methane gas in an abandoned coal exploration well near Dalby started burning is one of the questions authorities are seeking to answer in the days ahead. A meeting of Queensland Government officers and local resource companies last Wednesday developed a plan to remediate the site that started to burn the previous Saturday. Once the fire is out the test hole will be drilled out by heavy equipment. Mines Minister Andrew Cripps says there is no proof the fire is linked to coal seam gas activities by Arrow Energy. However, there has been widespread debate over the cause of the fire with Queensland Gasfields Commissioner and local landowner Ian Hayllor telling media a thorough investigation was needed. “It seems strange that it’s laid dormant for 20 odd years, 25 years, and now with CSG
activity in the area it’s started to move water and gas and obviously now ignited,” he said. He wasn’t the only one questioning the cause. Monash University engineer and geology expert Dr Gavin Mudd also weighed into the debate and said there was a strong chance the fire was linked to CSG mining, which involved extracting water to release gas. “By pumping out all that water, the ground water pressure drops allowing gas to start flowing in places it has never flowed in the past,” Dr Mudd said. “It could surface anywhere including from old coal wells. It beggars belief that companies fiddling with methane are trying to pretend there is no risk of gas leaks.” Arrow Energy has said the old well was dug decades ago for coal exploration, and its nearest CSG well is more than a kilometre away.
“It seems strange that it’s laid dormant for 20 odd years, 25 years, and now with CSG activity in the area it’s started to move water and gas and obviously now ignited.”
Page 11 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Chinese buy Resource red Mt Morgan gold tape targeted THE future of the once great Mt Morgan gold mine is in the hands of the Chinese today, following a successful takeover of Norton Goldfields by Zijin Mining Group. The Zijin Mining Group has acquired 89.15 per cent of Norton Goldfields at a price of A$229 million, and its off-market takeover bid fell just short of the 90 per cent compulsory acquisition threshold. In its prime, the Mt Morgan gold mine was the richest gold mine in the world and generated the seed capital that started the oil giant know today as BP (British Petroleum). For several years Norton Goldfields has proposed to reprocess the tailings at Mt Morgan to extract the significant amount of gold that was missed when it was first mined. However, despite record gold prices, the
proposal has been dogged by ongoing environmental issues at the site. Norton Goldfields is also looking at two other century old projects near Gladstone: the revival of an old gold mine in the Boyne Valley, and an old copper mine at Many Peaks. Earlier this month, Zijin obtained a 50 per cent share of Norton Goldfields. The board of Norton Goldfields has been reconstituted and Dr Dianmin Chen has been installed as chief executive today, replacing Andre Labuschagne. Chief financial officer, Robert Brainsbury, has stepped down and has been replaced by Dané van Heerden, who is acting chief financial officer. The new chairman is Jinghe Chen, who has been Zijin’s chairman since 2000.
“In its prime, the Mt Morgan gold mine was the richest gold mine in the world and generated the seed capital that started the oil giant know today as BP.”
FROM PAGE 1
Hearings expected to prompt widespread changes to FIFO The Moranbah Medical Clinic said its four GPs have a doctor patient ratio 1:2750 - well above the state average of 1:1824 and considerably higher than the national average of 1:1400. The ratio has been described as “unsustainable and unsafe” for doctors and patients. To highlight its plight the Isaac Regional Council paid more than $200,000 for leading Australian demographer Bernard Salt to carry out a report into FIFO and DIDO in the region. He found more than 8000 FIFO work-
ers are pouring into Moranbah every year to make the region one of the five fastest growing in Australia. He said there were 23,000 full-time residents in the Isaac region and another 19,800 non-resident workers living in accommodation villages and working on mining sites. That figure is expected to jump by more than 8000 to 28,224 next year, and again in 2013. Mr Windsor took time out from the hearings to say he was particularly concerned with pressures surrounding housing and what that was costing commuting workers and long-term residents. “The lack of affordable housing in regional and remote communities located near mining projects is an issue that has been raised by communities all across the coun-
Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
LEGISLATION to cut red tape in the resources industry has passed through parliament. Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Andrew Cripps, said while the Mines Legislation (Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2012 streamlines the approval process for resource projects, it does not water down rigorous environmental assessment mechanisms. “The resources sector is one of the four pillars of Queensland’s economy, and our aim is to support the sustainable growth of this industry,” Mr Cripps told Shift Miner. “Companies willing to invest in Queensland, with the aim of delivering jobs for Queenslanders, will not be hindered by this government. “We are in the business of getting Queensland back on track, not preventing economic prosperity for regional areas by drowning the resources sector in paperwork.”
The major features of the Bill are: • Streamlining the rules applying to the management and transport of water and brine produced by the CSG and LNG industries. • Clarifying legislation so that resource activities (such as exploration) and development activities (such as transport and infrastructure development) can coexist. • Modernising the tenure administration system and reducing the time taken for each tenure decision. Mr Cripps said the aim of the Bill was to deliver a modernised and more efficient regulatory framework for the resources sector. “20 years of Labor had created a question mark over Queensland’s reputation as a safe place to invest in resource projects,” he said. “We have replaced that question mark with an open for business sign.”
“We are in the business of getting Queensland back on track, not preventing economic prosperity for regional areas by drowning the resources sector in paperwork.” try,” he told Shift Miner. “Policies and strategies to provide affordable housing to families living in these communities is an essential focus of this inquiry.” Another clear issue presented before the hearings has been defining a suitable amount of money resource companies should spend in communities where FIFO and DIDO are prevalent to offset their presence. Maranoa mayor Robert Loughnan said Origin and Santos had contributed large sums of cash to the region in accordance with the recommendations of the Queensland Coordinator General but described the multi-million support as “not adequate”. Santos and Origin contributed $2.5 and $1 million each to the Roma Airport upgrade alone. “Considering that the APLNG project is
reportedly boosting the Queensland economy by $2 billion annually it is absolutely necessary that Origin’s funding within the Maranoa Region increase,” Mayor Loughnan said. “APLNG has been granted significant project status by the Coordinator General. A contribution of approximately $4 million to the Maranoa Region can be considered insignificant.” He added that Maranoa Regional Council was left to fund $7million of the $15million required for the airport upgrade. With hearings over, it is now up to Mr Windsor and his fellow politicians to make recommendations that carry some weight and ease the stresses on individuals and communities and companies associated with FIFO and DIDO.
News
144th EDITION. 2012
Gladstone fishermen still waiting for decision FISHERMEN seeking compensation from the State Government over losses incurred through the closure of Gladstone Harbour because of fish deaths are still waiting for a decision that will allow the matter to proceed. Judge David Searles heard the case in the Environment and Planning Court in
Industry has been blamed for poor fish health in Gladstone Harbour. Latest test results from the government show fish health is improving.
Brisbane recently but has reserved his decision on whether the case can continue. Commercial fishermen are seeking compensation from the state-owned Gladstone Ports Corporation for business losses linked to an outbreak of sick fish in the harbour. The fishermen blame the port’s massive
dredging program for causing the deaths and outbreaks of sores. The size of the claim has been put at up to $20million. The State Government and Gladstone Ports Corporation are opposing the legal action. Issues surrounding the health of water in the port decimated fishing and tourism industries almost overnight last year as the story was covered by national and international media that implied a link between the water woes and heavy industry and dredging. A Brisbane fish wholesaler even rejected a shipment of Gladstone fish because of concerns over the water quality. No date is available for when the ruling might be released. The anglers are being represented by Shine Lawyers. Meanwhile, fish sampling conducted in June and July has found fish health in Gladstone waters is continuing to improve, even in the tougher conditions of winter.
Fisheries Queensland released its latest survey report last week, which found fish to be in overall good health within Gladstone harbour. Fisheries Queensland biologist Dr Stephen Wesche said the most significant finding was evidence of fish healing from previous injuries. “We caught barramundi in the Boyne, Calliope and Burnett rivers with recovering lesions - there was clearly new skin and scales growing over the lesions,” Dr Wesche said. “Of the 93 barramundi observed, none had Neobenedenia parasites, eye problems or ulcerative lesions. “It is particularly encouraging to see this healing continue during winter, which can be a tougher season for fish such as barramundi.” A final sampling trip will be carried out in September which will make up a year’s data.
“It is particularly encouraging to see this healing continue during winter, which can be a tougher season for fish such as barramundi.”
Page 13 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
SHIFT Industry told more training needed MINER ladder
GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
SKILLS Minister Chris Evans has given the resources sector a serve demanding companies employ more Australian apprentices. He was speaking at a Sydney skills conference where he said if more is not done by
companies than Labor could be forced to rethink its support for the enterprise migration agreements that provide foreign workers jobs on massive mining projects. He said business had to increase its use
Hail Creek apprentices pictured here are just some filling the skills gap in resources. Skills Minister Chris Evans has hit out resources sector demanding companies employ more Australian apprentices before looking overseas for workers.
of the national adult apprenticeship scheme before turning to government to lobby for the right to import foreign labour. More evidence was also needed that resource companies were doing everything possible to employ Australian talent. The National Apprentice Plan has 3500 people registered who are at least 40 per cent fully skilled and who want to complete their qualification and will relocate or take up fly-in fly-out work. “If you want me and the government to argue the case for the use of overseas skilled workers to convince the public on the need to access enterprise migration agreements then I want to know why all 3500 have not been snapped up,” Senator Evans said. “I am not interested in employees complaining they have shortages of trade skills and labour if they have not signed up to a
strong local training program and opportunities like the NAP provides,” he said. Preliminary research released at an Australian Mines and Metals Association conference last week showed temporary migrant workers will fill shortages in oil, mining and gas operations that cannot be supplied domestically. AMMA spokeswoman Minna Knight said yesterday construction employers in the sector faced short notice of upcoming projects and it was “too simplistic” to say that apprentices should be available immediately. “The reality is that industry is implementing extensive workforce development and planning programs which will reap rewards in two to four years. However, in the immediate future, we need to plug some gaps which is why skilled migration is a small but important short-term solution.”
The National Apprentice Plan has 3500 people registered who are at least 40 per cent fully skilled and who want to complete their qualification and will relocate or take up fly-in fly-out work.
Facilitator appointed to Abbot Point
BARRY Golding has been appointed as a facilitator to test coal companies’ appetite to proceed with new coal handling facilities at the Port of Abbot Point. Mr Golding has been enlisted by the State Government for the role. He has more than 45 years’ experience in the mining industry here and overseas and has expertise in project management and infrastructure development. As part of the role he will meet with coal companies to discuss their immediate and longer term plans and port capacity requirements in conjunction with government staff and North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation. A report will then be delivered to the government on the options about how to go forward with expansion of Abbot Point’s coal handling facilities. In May the Newman Government scrapped Labor’s plans for up to nine coal terminals and a 12-berth multi-cargo facility at the port. The current government says its preference is to refocus the discussion with indus-
try around locating future port infrastructure at the existing Terminal 1 and the well advanced proposals for Terminals 0, 2 and 3. Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney told Shift Miner the Government considered the proposal to expand other terminals were unworkable. “The significant scale, complexity and potential impacts of the proposed development and infrastructure were extensive and given current information it would have been many years before the planned capacity would be realistically warranted,” he said. “The potential environmental impacts of such a large proposal had led to major delays in gaining approvals. “For this reason the State Government last May scrapped any further support for the proposed development of Terminals 4 to 9 and the Multi Cargo Facility.” The focus will now shift to the incremental expansion of port capacity to meet future demand and Government will be indicating its preference for multi-user terminals as a way to meet short to medium term development.
“The significant scale, complexity and potential impacts of the proposed development and infrastructure were extensive and given current information it would have been many years before the planned capacity would be realistically warranted.”
Page 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
SHIFT
MINER ladder
All the jobs torn out?
Don’t worry they are also available at www.shiftminer.com/jobs
GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE
Final report completed for new FIFO model THE final report into options for a reverse fly-in, fly-out model for a regions has been completed.
The Resources Channel’s Jody Elliott told Shift Miner that the information gathered during a survey of the Mt Gambier region
Results of a survey into the suitability of Mt Gambier as a fly-in, fly-out hub will have implications for Queensland, says The Resources Channel’s Jody Elliott.
recently had been assessed and forwarded to local, state and federal governments. They will now be asked to support further work to generate FIFO jobs for the city. Ms Elliott’s company had been contracted to do the work to establish interest in a new fly-in, fly-out hub for the region from the ground up, rather than ad hoc FIFO services being established. She said during the work that it had definite applications for Queensland as it allowed the local communities to decide their suitability for filling FIFO roles. Rather than establishing flights between the city and mine sites groundwork has been done with airlines, industry and the community to ask if they have an interest in FIFO and what skills are available locally to fill vacancies. Ms Elliott told Shift Miner some of the initial survey results had been surprising. “Respondents indicated a preference for
working longer stints away which aligns with construction rosters,” she said. “Respondents also cited the ability to do FIFO work without relocating as the most appealing factor of the FIFO hub initiative.” Two-thirds of 403 respondents to the survey indicated they lived within a one hour drive of the Mount Gambier Airport and would be willing to travel five to eight hours to work. Some workers said they would drive from nearby Victorian towns to fly out of the South Australian airport. Ms Elliott said other findings were highly relevant to the entire industry. This included almost half of the respondents were trade qualified and that a third had relevant operator or driving skills and licenses while a quarter had industry experience. This shows a hub approach could be carried out anywhere there is the worker base, such as the Gold and Sunshine coasts.
“Respondents also cited the ability to do FIFO work without relocating as the most appealing factor of the FIFO hub initiative.”
Be a part of our XSTRATA COAL OAKY CREEK Australian Mine of Year We’re the highest producing underground coal mine in the country. Operating three longwalls, including a world ƂTUV CWVQOCVKQP NQY UGCO NQPIYCNN 9GoTG GZRCPFKPI QWT operations and want you to learn and grow with us. You’ll have access to the latest technology. You go out of your way to do the right thing. We trust you. You take pride in your work and look out for your mates. You take accountability for your actions, your decisions and the consequences of pursuing these. We value you. We’ll pay you well, provide a lifestyle roster and subsidise your housing in a safe and friendly town to raise your young family.
www.xstrata.com/careers Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
around town 144th EDITION. 2012
2012 BLACKWATER GYMKHANA Blackwater junior riders put their horse through their paces recently.
Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
around town 144th EDITION. 2012
BLACKWATER MARKETS ROAR
Happy faces at the Lions winter markets in Blackwater
Kiera Leigh and Michelle Rogers
(L-R) Grace, Meggan and Jemma Campbell
Lorraine Sullivan and Koda McBeth-Wells
Jaimee and Natalie Garwood
Jade and Jason Scutt
Sue Fidler and Jenny Ryan
Rachel and Jaanelle Denman
Ayzlin Wood
JAPANESE CONNECTION CONFIRMED
A new sister city arrangement with Japan celebrated in Blackwater
(L-R) Andrew and Rebeka Comollatti and Gaye Saunders
Greg and Jaanet Latham
Lee and Don Forbes
Janice and John Moriarty
(L-R) Josh Garvey, Rebecca and
(L-R) Tom and Carmel Hall with
(L-R) Lisa Heather, Joanne Truelson
and Theresa and Hyden Foley
Joye Beath`
Alice Horsewood
Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
stuff to the editor 144th EDITION. 2012
Stuff to the Editor FIFO rosters has touched a few nerves (SMM P5 143edition): I am currently on a FIFO roster and would have no problem working a longer shift, but you also have to increase the amount of time we spend at home. While we are at work we may as well go for it, and then have a decent break. John, Peak Downs mine. yes as long as we get a decent break at the end of it. Anonymous
INER SHIFloTwdM own not land mining
The Queens
I don’t get this story. Why can’t the business owner decide who uses their business? I wouldn’t let someone use my ute for their work unless I wanted them to. Bill, Collinsville.
bes
tminer.com
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Monday 13th
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INJURY PERSONAL EXPERTS
My rosters are long enough thanks, and then we get this stupid swing day which is too short to go home and we dont get paid for it. We work hard enough. Jason, Moranbah. Still some confusion about the sex worker story:
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and they should be showing some loyalty to their workers. Anonymous
Some concerns about the slowdown:
Finally a slowdown, all those workers who have just left me at the drop of a hat, refused to work, and let me spend thousands on their training before clearing off, your time has come. Bring it on I say. I hope we get back to a fair days pay for a fair days work. Capella Contractor.
Well the prices may not be what they were, but these companies are making billions. What did BHP make this year $16 billion or something. Give us a break. They are making money hand over fist
I can remember when coal was less than $50 a tonne and we still made these mines work. This isn’t a slow down, its just companies trying to scare their workforce.. Bill, Moranbah
Got something to share? Send us your text messages or phone photos to 0428 154 653 Or email to alex.graham@shiftminer.com
Redmond’s Rants
n at Join the conversatio shiftminer m/ .co ok bo ace www.f
SEEN SOMETHING WE HAVEN’T? Prizes for the best mining photos. Take it on your phone or camera and send it in
Text to 0428 154 653 alex.graham@shiftminer.com
FROM THE EDITOR ARE we really doing enough to fill the skills shortage? That’s the question that has been posed loud and clear by Skills Minister Chris Evans (see story page 14). We hear about the companies that are. Their diligent media and marketing staff ensure news of adult apprentices starting work on sites across the state are well publicised. It’s good positive news. So are the new careers of fresh faced apprentices straight out of school. But it seems there are plenty of companies who are not doing anything at all to employ new entrants and would rather put their cash and energy into has gearing up to bring in overseas workers. Well, it seems the opportunity to do that is about to get harder with the government signalling it wants proof that companies are doing all they can to find apprentices domestically. It is one of the puzzling issues in the jobs market that there are thousands of people seeking work, thousands of roles vacant but they can’t be filled and few companies are willing to take on workers that need a lot of training.
Perhaps this is to the industry’s detriment. As of last week the National Apprentice Plan had 3500 people registered and willing to work FIFO rosters and who are at least 40 per cent fully skilled. Surely a percentage of them are worth the gamble of employment? The government thinks so and it’s ready to convince industry of the same. Senator Evans says he is not interested in employers who say it’s too hard to deal with workers that need training. So the industry is on notice. More training is needed before the influx of overseas workers begins. The question that all companies must answer is are they doing enough to find local workers or are they just saying they are while knowingly holding back on training and employment to protect budgets that will be put toward overseas workers?
Greg Sweetnam Comment or SMS 0428 154 653
KTM Adventure 990
Before I can complete this bike review, I need to explain something. I am worried about the 990A. Why? Because I share a lot of traits with this motorcycle. Allow me to do comparison: 1. 990 is large and orange (just like me). 2. 990 has bodywork that looks like it was designed by a blind German bricklayer (just like me). 3. 990 is unstable at speed on dirt (just like me). 4. 990 has a huge padded seat (just like me). 5. 990 - any attempt to kick start gunna get you hurt ( just like me).
Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
6. 990 is affected by wind (just like me).
7. 990 can hold a fair amount of liquid (just like me). 8. 990 is expensive to run (just like me). 9. 990 takes a good effort and a few lies to get a lady interested (just like me). 10. 990 gunna wobble and fall over if it’s full ( just like me). 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...
FAIR DINKUM 144th EDITION. 2012
Fair Dinkum! IN THE UNITED STATES - Would you rather be a looner or a loser? Well happy days, you can potentially be both: a “looner” is a term used by balloon fetishists to describe their unusual interest for of latexinfluenced love. Yep, some of these looners find the popping of an innocent balloon sexually stimulating. But before you go stereotyping looners, not all looners are alike. Elle, a Denver-based dominatrix considers herself a “popper”, the term for a person for whom the sound of a popping balloon is a metaphor for an orgasm. “I do get excited about the pop,” she said while filming an episode of the National Geographic Channel series Taboo. “I know I’m putting life force into that balloon and I’m excited by it. It feels wonderful.” However, “non-poppers” like Dave Collins, a 27-year-old Arkansas resident have a polar opposite attitude. He considers a popped balloon to be akin to death and gets deflated when one deflates in his presence. “Your heart just reaches out this beautiful, beautiful balloon,” he said on the show. “I believe these balloons are my children.” Yep, popper or non-popper, you can be guaranteed of sounding like a loser when you talk about being a looner. BACK IN THE US - Rabid beaver attacks boy scout leader! Not quite Jaws or even Old Yeller but a psycho beaver launching itself on to an unprepared boy scout leader does have its own peculiar charms. According to reports in The Poughkeepsie Journal, 51-year-old Normand Brousseau of New York was swimming in the Delaware River when a beaver swam through his legs and bit him in the chest. The beast then bit him in the leg, buttocks, arm, hand and torso before he man-
aged to grab it and hold its jaw closed. One boy scout pulled Brousseau to shore, where he flung the beaver away from him. The scouts then used rocks to kill the animal. The man is recovering and the beaver has been confirmed rabid...and dead. Unlike this beaver pictured, the rabid beaver preferred to gnaw on an entirely different sort of stick.
e h t k n a Fr Tank’s
“Streakin” good love advice
Dear Frank,
For the past few weeks my husband has had Olympic fever.
AND YET AGAIN IN THE US - All Seth Horvitz thought he was guilty of was buying a cheap flat-screen telly online and taking a sale away from his local electrical good’s store. But imagine his panic when the delivery arrived with a military-grade assault rifle instead. His new 39-inch flat-screen TV he ordered off Amazon had somehow morphed into a military-style SIG Sauer SIG716. So what did Mr Horvitz from Washington DC do? Fire off a few rounds, get round his mates for show and tell? No, he immediately called in the cops. Boo. “They were a little confused at first. They’ve never seen anything quite like it,” he told Fox 5, a local television station. While the box was addressed to Mr Horvitz, who had ordered a flat-screen television from a third-party retailer via Amazon.com, an invoice inside the box suggested the rifle was supposed to go to a Pennsylvania gun shop. Anti-gun lobbyists have expressed concern that high-powered weapons can be shipped across the United States with little or no checks.
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
As annoying as this obsession was, it has now become even more absurd; my husband recently told me that he’s going to start training to compete at the 2016 Olympics. Unless they add a category for the chronically unfit and untalented he’s not going to make it. how can I tell him that this idea is ridiculous and snap him back into reality? Betty, Rockhampton Betty, I understand how your husband could become obsessed with the Olympics. It’s a magical time that opens up an untold treasure trove of pick up lines. The other week some friends and I were at a bar watching Steve Hooker trying to defend his gold medal. A good-looking bird came in and sat down, so I walked over to her and said, “G’day, I’ll bet you’ve vaulted your fair share of poles.” Now, if I were to use that line at any other time I probably would have got a slap in the face, but instead I managed to get a start in the gymnastics…as the pommel horse…if you know what I mean.
Sensible Susan
Specialising in the timely delivery of on-spec components for your business.
M: 0448 243 343 E: darylweng@gmail.com
He watched basically every event that was televised, he was constantly on the internet looking up results and all he talked about for three weeks was the Olympics.
dwe Daryl Watson Engineering
Betty, Sounds like your husband really did get swept up by Olympic fever! I agree that it’s probably unlikely your husband is going to make any kind of
It sounds like your husband has gone a different way though, Betty, and he now believes he’s an elite athlete. I’m ashamed to say the same thing happened to me after the 2004 Olympics. I entered a local track and field competition with my eyes set on gold, but was unceremoniously disqualified for insisting on competing naked to eliminate wind resistance. There’s just something about the Olympics that hypnotises people into caring about sports they wouldn’t normally care about. Don’t worry, though. If you want to snap your husband out of this hypnotism, I’ve got just the thing. He says he wants to compete at the 2016 games, but he probably has no idea just how horrible physical exercise can be. Surprise him with a wildcard entry into a local wrestling tournament to help build his Olympic dream. After he’s wrestled into submission by a sweaty, hairy amateur wrestler it’s highly likely his dreams of Olympic glory will fade away instantly. I used the exact same technique on my wife when she became obsessed with the Olympics, although I really wish I’d researched the wrestling tournament I entered her in a little better. Turns out it was actually an underground fight club and slavery ring, where the losers become the property of the winners. My wife lost her fight and was doomed to slavery. Unfortunately for me she was sent back a week later; apparently her new master couldn’t stand her cooking either. Frank
squad for the 2016 games, but if he wants to get out there and train why stop him? So many people are overweight or unfit these days, so if your husband wants to start exercising regularly that can only mean good things for his health. If he becomes too obsessed and starts to place his ‘Olympic training’ ahead of his work and family responsibilities, then it might be time to have a word about taking things too seriously. Susan
If you have a question for Frank and Susan Email Us at: franksusan.shiftminer@gmail.com
Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
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Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
HOUSE FOR SALE residence. Large well appointed 5 bedroom home on 10 acres. Stables, yards, shed, bore. 3 km from new
bearings discs about 1/2 worn located near rocky. $17000 plus gst ono. Phone 0429 948 198 HOUSE FOR SALE YEPPOON New 4 bedroom 2 bathroom brick home. Aircon in main bedroom & Media room. Fans throughout. Double garage elec roller doors. Security screens.
For More Info Call:
$449,000
Phone: 0428 227 623
Phone: 0421 601 710
HOUSE AND LAND FOR SALE DARLING DOWNS 40 km west Toowoomba, Fully renovated 3 bedroom a/c house on 200 acres. Close to school Large sheds , Feed mixing gear. 168 acres presently with share farmer ZLOOLQJ WR FRQWLQXH LI UHTXLUHG Irrigation bore, yards,silos Smaller padocks for horses, cattle.
Phone: 07 4983 5207
Gracemere acreage and
good condition new
UNIT FOR SALE MACKAY The solution to accommodation in Mackay. Stay a few days, earn income while you’re away. 1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Beachfront Resort living, pool and restaurant onsite.
$650,000
Phone: 0428 679 297
CAR FOR SALE 2008 H3 HUMMER Luxury 6.2lt V8 LS3. Auto transmission. Full leather, BOSE sound, 22� American racing rims.Only known H3 V8 in Australia. Collector’s item. 27000kms. Excellent condition. Very classy vehicle with performance to match. $73,000 ono Phone: 0427 189 834
CAR FOR SALE
$300,000 Phone: 0409 391 254
Currently leased @ $385 inc gst/week
as new bike, registered
Rockhampton. Phone: 0419 707 249
Open Taxi Licence for sale in Rockhampton
LAND FOR SALE BURNETT RIVER FRONTAGE 100acres, 600m of river frontage, 10meg water allocation, ex dairy farm, power at front of block, cleared, dam, cattle yards, 20mins to Gin Gin – 25 mins to Childers
shopping centre.
$290K neg.
$700,000
Phone: 0439 861 946
HOUSE/LAND FOR SALE MOUNT PERRY � Main Top� Best most usable 40 acres in town. *RRG ODUJH OHYHO ÀDWV great mountain veiws, hay shed, machinery shed, GDP +RXVH UHTXLUHV work. Power to house. Plenty of feed, Potential to work 7 on 7 off roster at mount Rawdon Gold mine. $235,000 Phone: 0488 079 675 LAND FOR SALE PROSERPINE Rural land. 15 min cbd proserpine. 2x200 acre lots. good grazing land and house sites will sell seperatly POA $520,000 the pair Phone: 0447 031 588
Phone: 07 4933 3106 HOUSE FOR SALE GRACEMERE, Immaculate 4BR home BIR. 18 solar panels. Fully insulated & A/C. Ceiling fans. 2 bathrooms. 2 Toilets. 'RXEOH ORFN XS JDUDJH Stainless steel kitchen appliances. Spacious open plan kitchen, dining & lounge. Potential rental return above $22 000p/a. $429,000 Phone: 0418 796 074
UNIT FOR SALE VTP UHQRYDWHG RSHQ plan unit with a HUGE
HOUSE AND LAND FOR SALE 6HOO DFUHV 3URVWRQ DUHD TXLHW FRXQWU\ JHW
balcony overlooking the
away suit cattle, horse, poultry, ex contract
Sunshine Coast’s best
piggery. 3Brm partly renovated home.
point break!! Austar, gym, 150m lagoon pool. Great investment BETTER lifestyle! More info/ pics avail. Be Quick! Phone: 0424 108 784
Photos & details our website: http://countrymilefarm.webs.com/ Phone: 07 4168 9226
k.pdf 2010
K C O R 1 O T 0 1 S M U B L A
OFF SHIFT 144th EDITION. 2012
ACROSS
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1. Depositing eggs (of fish) 5. Principles to aim for 9. Looking sideways 10. Pastoral 12. Craving 13. Pull strenuously 14. Large deer 16. Met 19. Tussle 21. Loose hair strand 24. Cooking herb 25. Resign (5,4) 27. Kept (emotions) under control (4,2) 28. Unobtrusive (gesture) 29. Cease 30. Violent wind systems
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Last editions solutions
# 30
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A L A C A R T V S E L F R E C K L E R E T R E L S EWH E E R D OD E S E R S K I DN E Y S Y U S A L A C K S T A D E I GE T SON H O W T Y R A N T
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2 3 4 1 9 5 7 6 8 V E X D A C S T I E N G
T R C W R A D E N AME P N N A S P R A Y C A N E C E E P R A T T L E D
Bahnisch with James e r Magazin Shift Mine best e th n w o counts d e s of all tim rock album
Dark Side of The Moon unique flavour of experimental funkiness MYSTICAL drug-freaks captivate the world with soothing melodies and revolutionary methods. Pink Floyd are widely known for their obscure, druginfused music. Some people to this day claim that the music produced by these artists isn’t, in fact, rock and roll. However, when stripped down and analysed this album is pure rock and roll: only rock and roll developed with a simply unique flavour of experimental funkiness. Dark Side of The Moon (1973) is essentially the reason for the ever-lasting originality of this band. These artists’ ability to overcome adversity in a period of time when it was socially frowned upon to step out of the box. And this album was no mere step, but a gigantic leap. A gigantic leap that has landed Dark Side of the Moon at number nine in my greatest albums of all time. Pink Floyd generated an enormous sound for a fivepiece ensemble from England. The members included David Gilmour (vocals and lead guitar), Roger Waters (bass guitar and vocals), Richard Wright (keyboard and vocals) and Nick Mason on drums and percussion. They all played a vast array of peculiar instruments to collectively take popular music to a next level. These artists regularly rocked the boat by using outof-the-ordinary instruments such as the synthesiser. Synthesisers at the time were a revolutionary instrument and rarely used in order to avoid criticism from the general public. The courageous use of this unusual piece of equipment paved the way for generations to come. Throughout the 1980s it’s difficult to hear a song that doesn’t use a synthesiser. However, their abstract methods can also be seen in the use of very ordinary objects. The track ‘Time’ begins with the sound of numerous clocks. Recordings were taken in multiple antique shops to capture the authenticity of the clocks used. The first song on the LP is ‘Speak To Me’, an instrumental piece that begins with the dreary melodies of David Gilmour’s electric guitar and various sounds gently flowing from Wright’s keyboard.
8
Pink Floyd often made singular songs on their albums into medleys, thus the ‘Speak To Me’ became ‘Speak To Me/Breathe’. This was a genius tactic set in place to prepare die-hard fans for the band’s hypnotic live sets. These artists are well renowned for their spectacular live performances that would often go for several songs at a time without breaks. Floyd collaborated with many various artist throughout their career. But the help from soul singer Clare Torry on the tune ‘Great Gig In The Sky’ outweighs any previous efforts or any future collaborations that the band did. This song is the highlight of the album. It contains no lyrics, simply the soulful shrieking of Torry belting out one of the most intense and powerful singing performances in rock history. The album concludes with the epic ‘Eclipse’. It summarises the entire message of the album with the lyric: ‘There is no dark side of the moon really. Matter of fact it’s all dark’. It’s then followed by the very heart beat that started the album on ‘Speak To Me’. This implies the endless cycle of this album, which is so elegantly arranged. This majestic album incorporates all the key traits in a rock and roll band.
# 31
Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner. SHIFT MINER Handy Cross 2824 - (15A grid) ShiftMinerHandy108s. pdf © Lovatts Publications 02/03/2011
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Page 21 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
OFF SHIFT 144th EDITION. 2012
Bait shop Banter FISHING IN MACKAY
ing around a bit. “Go to where you think they are, but travel around til you find them, try a few different spots,” Bruce recommended.
“It’s been blowing the proverbial for more than a week now,” moans Bruce from Nashy’s Compleat Angler. That’s bad news for fishermen trying to get out wide and enjoy the warmer weather and schooling mackerel. Bruce reckons they’re not far away now, and have been caught off Eimeo and right round to Sarina on hooks and pillies or little chrome lures. While the weather settles, Bruce’s tip is stick to the Pioneer River, and head there at night time. “The best catches are coming from night time fishing in the river,” he said. “There’s good catches of grunter and whiting.” He advised using yabby baits and mov-
FISHING IN YEPPOON Salmon and flathead are in abundance, and being caught along most beaches and up most creeks. “I’d be pretty surprised if you went out and came home with nothing,” said Tony from the Secret Spot. “They are pretty much being caught everywhere, and the best time is to fish when the tide is half in until it is half out.” Mackerel are scarcer than usual for this time of year, but Tony thinks all that is needed is a bit more warmer weather and the numbers will pick up.
Tide Times
Aug/Sep
Those fishermen hunting the “wide grounds” - about 60 kilometres north-east of the Capricorn Coast, are pulling in plenty of trout and red fish.
FISHING IN GLADSTONE You’d have to have been living under a rock if you didn’t know barra were on the bite in Gladstone. It’s been a completely insane season for barra since Awoonga Dam spilled over and poured tonnes of fish into the Calliope and Boyne rivers. There has been eight months of sensational fishing, and even in the colder months they’ve been biting around the hot water outlet. Hollow bellies and slick rigs are the way to catch em, according to Josh from Pat’s Tackle World.
MACKAY Gladstone
Time Ht
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
0543 3.13 0048 0.79 0136 0.56 0218 0.42 0256 0.36 0331 0.37 0404 0.44 1143 0.98 0646 3.37 0736 3.56 0818 3.69 0857 3.77 0933 3.81 1007 3.80 1823 3.96 1249 0.77 1340 0.60 1423 0.49 1502 0.47 1538 0.52 1611 0.64
1917 4.16 2001 4.26 2039 4.26 2114 4.20 2147 4.08 2219 3.90
0151 1.08 0246 0.71 0333 0.49 0413 0.40 0449 0.40 0521 0.45 0551 0.55 0741 4.37 0836 4.68 0922 4.88 1002 5.00 1037 5.06 1113 5.08 1146 5.03 1347 0.82 1443 0.56 1531 0.42 1613 0.39 1650 0.44 1724 0.58 1758 0.79 2010 5.54 2058 5.77 2140 5.85 2217 5.82 2251 5.69 2324 5.48 2355 5.18
Mon 3 MACKAY Gladstone
Time Ht
Lake Awonga is home to the barra.
Your weather forecast
Mon 27 Tue 28 Wed 29 Thu 30 Fri 31 Sat 1 Sun 2 Time Ht Time Ht
He says there’s plenty of blue and threadfin salmon around too, and bream around the rock walls. “There’s also been good reports of whiting out on the flats, and the mackerel should start to come on soon.” Reef fishing is still patchy due to the weather, with not many opportunities to get out wide.
Tue 4 Wed 5 Thu 6 Fri 7
Sat 8 Sun 9
Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht 0434 0.57 0501 0.75 0523 0.95 0546 1.16 0021 2.85 0120 2.61 0251 2.48 1041 3.74 1114 3.63 1147 3.48 1226 3.30 0617 1.39 0719 1.60 0910 1.67 1642 0.82 1711 1.03 1741 1.27 1819 1.52 1318 3.14 1429 3.04 1556 3.10 2249 3.67 2317 3.40 2345 3.12
1916 1.74 2100 1.84 2242 1.69
0619 0.73 0024 4.81 0052 4.39 0122 3.96 0205 3.54 0333 3.22 0548 3.28 1219 4.91 0645 0.97 0711 1.26 0742 1.60 0826 1.94 0954 2.17 1148 2.05 1829 1.08 1251 4.71 1325 4.46 1410 4.18 1518 3.94 1701 3.94 1824 4.23
1900 1.42 1935 1.79 2022 2.14 2148 2.39 2359 2.26
Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
Fogs/thundery shower herald Spring Week 1 - Early morning fogs caused some havoc for the early motorists and delayed flights across the Coalfields. Clermont had consecutive fogs which reached east to Mackay and Rockhampton last Thr/Fri. This caused warm days with maximums around the 30c in the west. One or two late night thundery showers flashed across the skies last Tuesday around Aramac and Jericho and moved into Middlemount Wed/Thr. Not much rainfall: just a flash and a bang then gone! Temperatures like this have not been felt since May. Spring is on the way! A trickle of cold air early Sunday in the south then warmer northerlies raise the temperatures into the 30s west of Dingo/Dysart later in the week. Again late evening thundery showers could light the skies. This may be problem for the bushfire danger ratings. Then a cooler southerly could follow over the weekend. Watch for a thundery shower south of a line Blackwater to Gindie which could herald the change. Boaties! The thundery showers along the coast should clear during Mon. Then SE winds ease late week.
Mon: SE 15-20 G 25 early thundery showers clearing. Tue – Wed: SE/ESE 16-12 a brief shower in the north. Thur: ESE 15-10 tending ENE/NE 10-08 avo. Fri: NNW/ NNE 8-10 (could be 15 knots coast avo) then cool S/SE 15-20 in the far south with a thundery squally (gusts to 28 knots) shower reaches north by Sat. Sun: SE 15-20 with a squally shower. Week 2 - The SOI has plunged into -12. This value has not been seen since the dry hot years of 2006. If this value stays low into September then El Nino thresholds will be broken. Could the bushfire devastation of 2009 return?!! More warm days heralded by early fog as yet another trough approaches in this current seven day cycle. Warm days with spring storms in the Warrego could reach north later in the week. If the late snow in the south continues then (maybe!!) one of the last cold wintery bursts arrives over the weekend. Marine Lovers! Looks like poor start but a good window Thur/Fri. Mon: SE 15-20 with a squally shower. Tue: SE/ ESE 15-10 offshore shower. Wed: ESE/ENE 13-8 less in the south. Thr-Fri: Early coastal fog? NNW/NE 5-10 NNW could be NNE 18 late avo. The weekend could be tricky as a southerly change lurks in the south.
OFF SHIFT 144th EDITION. 2012
A year in beer WHY start a new year with dreary, all too droppable resolutions like ‘fight the flab’ or ‘spend more time with the kids’ when you could commit to a year of beer? Scott Ellis and Shane McGuire are two average Aussie blokes who didn’t just talk about it but made the selfless decision to devote themselves to drinking a different beer a day, every day of the year. Inspired by the story of a couple of beer-loving Americans who attempted (and failed) to down 365 beers in 365 days, our heroes decided since they also loved beer and having the natural advantage of being Australian to give it a crack. “Yeer In Beer” was born. At 232 days and 232 beers later, Scott Ellis is holding up well, his liver is intact, his wife is still talking to him and he and Shane have over 1000 followers on Facebook. Scott set out the ground rules in an article for The Age, “no ginger beer, no home brews and the different beer must be drunk on the day, no building up a bank in the bender”. In an interview with Shift Miner, Scott reckons over the course of their quest so far they have “tasted some truly awful beer but also some beaut ones from brewers that we didn’t even know existed”. One of the unforeseen challenges Scott found was that after very quickly exhausting the supplies of every pub and bottle shop within a five kilometre radius from his home in Sydney, physically getting his paws on his different daily fix became quite a logistical feat. Finding out about the brews isn’t a problem but as a working father with two kids under three, a 15-hour round trip to source booty from a brewery isn’t routinely feasible. Thankfully friends, family and followers have been more than willing to lend
a helping hand with Scott’s dad recently bringing some bevs from his old stomping ground. A resulting review from day 227: “West End Draught. The beer I used to pinch from Dad’s fridge when I was a kid, first bought when I got a fake ID and still get on tap when I’m home in Adelaide. A good all-round very drinkable draught perfect for pouring down your neck before heading off to shove someone in a barrel.” Blessedly sparing us tedious beer snob descriptions of “copper hues” and “hints of coriander”, Scott is comfortingly judgemental and openly sceptical of fancy labels, suspecting they are more along the lines of mutton dressed as lamb. Mac’s Hop Rocker pilsener was one such fancy bottle Scott anticipated would be dreadful – but happily there are exceptions to the rule and on Day 157 he gleefully recorded: “A cracker of a beer from Inzid. Sharp, hoppy (hence the name), not too fizzy, a choice drop bro! Now... MAKE ME SOME IGGS!!!” And the team from A Yeer in Beer (YIB) isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade or a rubbish beer a bottle of bong water. Take Cerveza Mexicali Beer, Day 218: “A rotten little brew that looked like a bad urine sample, smelled like a wet dog and tasted like someone had wrung out a bar rag into the bottle.” So after sampling dozens of international and craft beers, how do good old Aussie faithfuls like XXXX Gold stack up? Scott reckons: “Not bad actually! I can understand in a hotter climate on a hot day there wouldn’t be much better than throwing back a frosty one.” Thankfully XXXX Gold is also an exception to another YIB rule: be wary of beers with Gold, Premium or Export on the label and most of all avoid like the plague anything bottled in clear glass.
Scott Ellis in action on Facebook
So with all of this beer fixating, has Scott become a beer bore? “No we are just doing it for a bit of fun and don’t take things too seriously. We are
not experts, just a couple of blokes who like beer.” To follow YIB (or join in), search ‘’Yeer in Beer’’ on Facebook
“A rotten little brew that looked like a bad urine sample, smelled like a wet dog and tasted like someone had wrung out a bar rag into the bottle.”
Page 23 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
SPORT
144th EDITION. 2012
Bush Pigs to Clermont league defend like dogs extravaganza COACH of the Clermont Bush Pigs rugby side says his team will defend their home pitch this weekend like dogs. The Clermont side have dominated the Central Highlands rugby union competition this year, and progressed through to a home ground grand final after winning a fortnight ago. Clermont will either play Emerald or Cappella (results from last weekend unknown at time of print), although coach Lund says he has no preference as to who they would like to play. He says both teams have their strengths. “It doesn’t really concern us,” he said. “Capella has given us trouble and Emerald has been the team that has beaten us, so
we are pretty aware of how good each team can be on their day. “We haven’t settled on the final 15, and we won’t do that until the Thursday before the grand final when we know who is right to play, but we won’t be making too many changes. “We will focus on tightening up in a few areas and improving in a few other areas.” According to coach Lund, the turn around for the Clermont side this year has come about because of that tried and true technique of getting good attendance at training. “I don’t think it’s my brilliance as a coach,” he said “It’s got to do with the attitude of the players, we don’t have any stars, its pretty much the same team as last year.”
A HUGE day of rugby league was enjoyed in Clermont on the weekend with the town hosting the biggest double header of the season. The Central Highlands All Stars played the Central Highlands Multicultural side in a curtain raiser to the Central Highland’s grand final between Clermont and the Peak Downs Pirates. Rugby league talent was also recognised from across the competition in a post match awards ceremony. Mullie Watson from the Bluff Rabbitohs was awarded the “rookie of the year” and Mitchell Wyatt from the Peak Downs Pirates recognised for the most conversions. The highest try scorer prize went three
ways with Ryan Hansell (Middlemount), Joe Mua (Clermont) and Sam Miles (Emerald Tigers) sharing the honours. Ray Downie from the Emerald Tigers was the representative player of the year, while in women’s rugby league Karissa Deakin was most improved, Mari Rawiri the players player and Rhiannon Devine the player of the year. However, arguably the most important awards for year were the volunteers’ awards and they went to Lance Forsyth, Donna Harvey, Katrina Cavanagh and Julie Beilenberg. And from everyone here at Shift Miner we would like to thank Pat Booker for all her tireless help throughout the season.
“We haven’t settled on the final 15, and we won’t do that until the Thursday before the grand final when we know who is right to play, but we won’t be making too many changes.” COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sport
Event
Date
Venue
Rugby Union
CH Grand Finals
9/9/12
TBA
Triathlon
Springsure X Country Challenge
9/9/12
Springsure
Triathlon
Rainbow House Charity Bike Ride (Emerald)
16/9/12
Emerald
Rugby Union
CH Preliminary Finals
25/8/12
TBA
What’s happening in your sport? 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 We’re working with The University of Queensland on Australia’s longest running koala ecology research programme, the Koala Venture. As part of this partnership, Rio Tinto Clermont Region employees recently planted 560 seedlings to help create a two kilometre vegetation corridor for koalas living on Clermont Mine-owned land.
Since 1989 the Koala Venture has been playing an important role in informing the rehabilitation strategies at Rio Tinto’s Clermont Region operations to provide koala habitat. The project is also significantly improving the wider ecological understanding of inland koala populations, enhancing their conservation and management right across the state and the entire mining industry.
Page 24 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
Todd Williams from Emerald Cowboys being awarded the Jim Gallagher Medallion for 2012.
We support a range of local projects 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
NKER
MONEY MATTERS 144th EDITION. 2012
MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS
Borrowing to invest MANY people who think about building wealth often consider borrowing money to invest in property. The benefits of property investment include: ¡ Property can be a fairly secure, long-term investment. ¡ It’s a tangible and solid asset. ¡ It can pay itself off when rent covers the loan payments. ¡ Property can provide tax benefits through gearing. ¡ Deductions (expenses) can be offset against income from rent. If you own your own home you can borrow off this asset, or if you have built up equity in your home loan you could use this to help pay for your investment. You can use this equity towards the 20 per cent deposit required for an investment property and then get a new loan for the remainder of the purchase price. As an investor you need to take rental income into consideration and make sure you can afford the monthly repayments.
Once you have worked out your budget, it’s time to go on the hunt for a suitable location. Choosing the right type of property in the best possible location is an important step towards seeing the returns you want from your investment. When you’re choosing a location, try to buy in a growth area and consider the things a prospective tenant might look for. Public transport options plus proximity to shops, schools and parks can all be important to renters. I can help guide you through the process of an investment property as an Authorised Representative of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. I’m available around the clock to meet you whenever and wherever is most convenient. When we meet, I’ll take the time to gain an in-depth understanding of your situation and goals, then create a solution to match. Call Pam Pollock on 0466 136 925 email Pamela.pollock@cba.com.au to find out more.
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Page 25 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
MONEY MATTERS 144th EDITION. 2012
Farewell, boat AT Shift Miner, we took time out to conduct an important experiment and enjoyed a short mining fantasy. What, we asked ourselves, what would we do if we ever worked hard enough to earn a six-figure salary? First on the list was a new boat, followed by upgrading the house from a three bedroom brick ‘n tile number to a restored Queenslander along the Range in Rocky. We had a lovely time. Imagine taking a shopping trolley through the aisles at Woolies, and throwing in foods without looking at the price? Then it was off to private school for the kids. Oh, and the annual holiday to Samoa or skiing in Switzerland. Enough, said the nasty editor, when the conversation turned to Kleenex toilet paper versus Purex. Quit the dreaming, get out the budget calculator from our favourite budgeting website www.moneysmart.gov.au and see if you can afford your dream (he said). We entered in our fantasy salary. This was great. Then we had to enter our mortgage at $800 a week for our new home; car repayments of $400 a week for the Prado; pocket
money for the kids. This was not so great. In fact, it was becoming quite painful. There was $64,000 of our money gone right there. But we kept going. We had to fill in the boring stuff, like rates, home and contents insurance, house maintenance - and having a beautiful old Queenslander is not cheap. Maybe we’ll go for a brand new house, but we digress. Electricity, gas, water, pay TV, internet (and we want the biggest and fastest package). That’s $77, 760 so far. Now, we have school fees for two kids to go to private school, their uniforms, their extracurricular activities. Life insurance (better put that in, because we want to fund the lifestyle in what could be less happy times!), health insurance, doctors. Finances are not looking so healthy now - that’s $106,460 of our money committed already and we haven’t even touched groceries, entertainment or our annual holiday. Once we plug those in - and we put in $500 a week for groceries because we do want quality - our budget has gone through the roof and is now sitting at $132,650.
This isn’t fun anymore. Add to that the annual holiday and a trip to the movies each fortnight - after car maintenance and insurance - our budget is well and truly blown.
Our dream is going to cost $141,680. There is no money left for our boat, and our dream has left us in debt. Maybe it’s time for a second job...
This isn’t fun anymore. Add to that the annual holiday and a trip to the movies each fortnight - after car maintenance and insurance - our budget is well and truly blown.
YEPPOON BEACH FRONT LAND SALE Walk To Beach, Close To Coffee Shops, Shopping Precinct, Mercure Capricorn Resort And Golf Courses
9
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5 13
PLEASE CONTACT 4925 2484 Mob 0439661193 admin cap p ricornresort.com t.com m admin@capricornresort.com
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS IDEAL FUTURE INVESTMENT
Lot 5 + House e 1.68ha $3 $350,000 350 000 Lot 6 $250,000 1.52ha $2 Lot 7 1.39ha $180,000 Lot 8 1.45ha $220,000 Lot 9 1.41ha $230,000 Lot 13 15.6ha $1,100,000 Includes building approval for each block * Boundaries depicted in this image are for illustration purposes only. Please contact us for accurate boundary details.
Page 26 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
MONEY MATTERS 144th EDITION. 2012
Surat investments a bedtime story INVESTORS have been lining up to buy investment property in the Surat Basin (SB), putting faith in the idea that demand for houses will follow the trends established in the Bowen Basin (BB). However, to make an investment work you need workers to rent your building. Not only that, you need them to be desperate for a room so they pay a premium rent that compensates you for the generally lower capital growth you might expect in the bush. A new report out from the state governments Office of Statistical Research has cast some light on the nature of accommodation needs in the SB. The most notable difference between the BB and the SB is that in the SB around two thirds of the workforce is not local, which is currently the reverse of the BB. The implication here is that use of “mine camps”, motels and shared rental accommodation is likely to be larger than in the BB where a significant proportion of workers live with their families. According to the report: “Around one third of the SB mining and gas workforce (1360 people) live in the same LGA as their place of work”.
However while lots of the workers are living in camp-style accommodation there are again some important differences. Firstly there are no accommodation complexes that are classified as “mining villages” - being defined as a large long term accommodation facility in a population centre. That is unlike the BB, where there is at least one “mining village” in every population centre. Chinchilla has the largest single accommodation facility with around 500 people, although it’s classified as a “minor construction village”. The most common form of accommodation provided to workers in the SB are defined as “drilling and exploration camps”. There are 54 of those. The next most common accommodation facility is what is called a “mine gas field village”, which basically is an accommodation complex on site. There are 10 of those. Motels provide the next 28 per cent of accommodation to the mining workforce in the SB. Not surprisingly the motel vacancy rate in the Maranoa local government area is
very low at just 1 per cent. However with more motels available in the Western Downs and Toowoomba local government areas, vacancy rates are between 15 and 35 per cent. Private rental homes are not even listed in the report as providing part of the accommodation solution in the SB. The report also found as many as one in
13 people employed in some districts are working on a FIFO or DIDO roster. However, across the whole basin nonresident workers still only make up just 2 per cent of the total workforce, although that is an increase of 50 per cent on 2010. Currently there are around 3270 nonresident workers in the Surat Basin out of an estimated total population of 204,000.
LAND HOUSE AND $455,000 M O R PACKAGES F
Page 27 - Shift Miner Magazine, 27th August 2012
CHALLENGE P U E D A TR
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fers en f O ! y r r u H st st. 31 Augu Book a test drive today at Gold Coast Volkswagen Commercial Centre Your Volkswagen Partner
Gold Coast Volkswagen Commercial Centre 9A Indy Court, Nerang (Take exit 73 on the M1 motorway) 1005697 Tel. 07 5583 9330 www.goldcoastvolkswagen.com.au *Available at participating Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealers to approved Business Applicants of Volkswagen Finance** for new and demonstrator MY12 Amarok stock vehicles (all of which are dual cab vehicles with manual transmission) on a Hire Purchase over 36 or 48 months. Vehicles must be purchased and delivered between 1st and 31st August 2012. Offer ends 31st August 2012. While stocks last. Balloon restrictions apply. Full conditions are available on application. Offer excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. Standard fees and charges apply.**Volkswagen Finance is a trading name of Volkswagen Financial Services Australia Pty Limited. Volkswagen Finance reserves the right to extend or change this offer. Not available in conjunction with the advertised $5,000 factory bonus offer. 1 $5000 factory bonus offer is available at participating Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealers to qualifying ABN holders who trade in their current motor vehicle to purchase a new or demonstrator MY12 Amarok stock vehicle (being a dual cab vehicle with manual transmission). Vehicles must be purchased and delivered between 1st and 31st August 2012. While stocks last. Trade in motor vehicles must be registered and road worthy for use on public roads. A factory bonus of $5000 will be given to the customer against the purchase price of their new Amarok. The $5000 bonus cannot be exchanged for cash or any other product or service. The bonus is not transferable to any other customer. Offer excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. Please ask your dealer for further terms and conditions and to check eligibility for this offer. Offer ends 31st August 2012. Not available in conjunction with the advertised 2.8% finance/free scheduled servicing offer. 2 FREE Scheduled Service Package is for 3 years or 45,000kms (whichever comes first) free scheduled servicing (as set out in the Service Schedule booklet). Available at participating Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle dealers. Servicing offer does not apply to wear and tear items any other additional work or components required. This offer is only available to approved Business Applicants of Volkswagen Finance who take up the 2.8% finance offer as per the terms set out herein. Offer excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. Full conditions are available on application. Vehicles must be purchased and delivered between 1st and 31st August 2012. Offer ends 31st August 2012. Offer applies to stock vehicles. While stocks last. Not available in conjunction with the advertised $5,000 factory bonus offer.