sm150_Shift Miner Magazine

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

Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com

Monday 19th November 150th Edition 2012

M A G A Z I N E

SAFETY FALLOUT

Reform sparks rebellion

THE Pike River Mine Royal Commission has looked to Australia as having best practice when it comes to safety but the very same issue is fuelling a mining union’s fight against reforms in Queensland.

The CFMEU is rejecting the Queensland government’s move to amend its mining safety laws for a consistent national approach. “Australia’s coal mining industry has world-leading safety laws and practice but there’s always pressure from companies to cut back on red tape, as we see with the current demand from Queensland industry to remove the powers of safety check inspectors,� the union’s general secretary Andrew Vickers says.

The government has already sought submissions from stakeholder groups and the community and its draft report is due out any day.

The union has threatened statewide mine closures if any changes are made to mine safety laws and has singled out the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), an industry representative body, for stinging criticism.

The CFMEU’s Queensland district president Stephen Smyth says 29 men died at Pike River because mine management pursued production at any cost.

Âť continued page 10

Feature Capricorn dreaming Âť page 15

Curragh takes charity match Âť   More pictures page 27 / ĂŠ* ,/ ,-\ ÂœÂ…Â˜ĂŠ/>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ ° -Â…>Ă€ÂœÂ˜ĂŠ-Â“ÂˆĂŒÂ…ĂŠÂ‡ĂŠ VÉ ° ĂŠ ÂœÂ˜Ăƒ

Ă€>ˆ}ĂŠ7ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ?iÞʇÊ ° Ă€i}ĂŠ >Ă€Ă€ÂœÂ?Â?

* ,-" ĂŠ 1,9ĂŠ -

/7", ĂŠ

/ "/",ĂŠ6 ĂŠ

/URY CLAIMS -1, É/* Ê

News Aussies build Indo road Âť page 13

News West like another country Âť page 14

The Partners: John Taylor - LL.B Sharon Smith - BEc/LL.B Hons Craig Worsley - LL.B

Greg ĂŠ

Carroll

6 9

News Bechtel wants locals Âť page 6

MEN OF LEAGUE

/ 9 ",-" /",-

"

News $100m pipe deal signed Âť page 5

*…œ˜iĂŠ{™xÇÊә{{ĂŠĂŠ >Ă?ĂŠ{™xĂ‡ĂŠĂ“Ă¤ÂŁĂˆ ĂœĂœĂœÂ°ĂŒ>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ‡ĂƒÂœÂ?ˆVÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ°Vœ“°>Ă• i“>ˆÂ?\ʓ>ˆÂ?JĂŒ>ĂžÂ?ÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ‡ĂƒÂœÂ?ˆVÂˆĂŒÂœĂ€ĂƒÂ°Vœ“°>Ă• iĂ›iÂ?ÊÓÉ£ÇÊ Ă€ÂˆĂƒL>˜iĂŠ-ĂŒĂ€iiĂŒĂŠ >VÂŽ>Ăž

ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠ -/ / ĂŠ 7ĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠĂŠ " , ĂŠ 7

Money Matters Tame your mortgage Âť page 30

7 CONTENTS NEWS 5 Transfield to manage pipes

13

7 Coal dust anger

14 8 Asbestos clean up

4 5

Numbers You Numbers Numbers Regulars Can CountYou On** You *

15 Living the dream

Can CountCan OnCount On 21 Miner’s Trader

*When audited by the CAB Numbers You

Can Count On

* by the CAB *When audited by the *When CAB audited *When audited by the CAB

M A G A Z I N E

www.shiftminer.com M AE G A www.shiftminer.com I N E M AMGA AG ZA I Z N I N E Z www.shiftminer.com

Queensland mining community's best source of local news

SHIFT MINER

Proudly Audited by

Proudly Audited by

Proudly Audited Proudly Audited by by

Locally Owned and Operated

26 24 25 30

Frank the Tank Stuff to the Editor Weather & Tides Money Matters

www.shiftminer.com

Phone: (07) 4921 4333 Fax: (07) 4922 6908 angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com Editor: Greg Sweetnam Advertising: Angus Peacocke 0428 154 653

www.shiftminer.com

M A G A Z I NForEmore information visit www.auditbureau.org.au For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

Published fortnightly by Fitzroy Publishing Pty Ltd A.B.N 72122739879 PO Box 1440, Rockhampton Q 4700

For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

Invoice Today & Get Paid Today!

*

Yes, there is an alternative to a business overdraft.

We’ll show you how to take the handbrake off your business & put your cashflow back into gear.

Call: 1300 788 945 or Bruce Meredith: 0448 052 069 www.cashflowfinance.com.au

Reliable Debtor Finance Solutions *Conditions apply.

Page 3 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Pollution a big issue for Hay Point group

MOST current members of the Hay Point Community Reference Group (HPCRG) are expected to seek re-election now that their current tenure has expired.

The HPCRG is formed on a two-year basis and it is understood by Shift Miner that most current members will seek re-election to ensure continuity in the representation of their community.

According to the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP), the primary role of the group is to provide a “diversity of viewpoints” on the Hay Point Coal terminal expansion.

However, NQBP was quick to point out in its terms of reference that the: “HPCRG was not a decision-making body, and it is not a requirement that consensus be reached on the issues discussed.”

The $10billion expansion will involve the construction of a new coal loading facility at Dudgeon Point and will generate more than 1500 jobs during the construction phase.

A tradeoff over the massive capital injection into the region is that locals

fear their lifestyle and property values could be undermined.

One outgoing member of the group says the primary issue for Hay Point, Salonika and McEwen beaches residents is how pollution is managed.

“The big issue is the level of contamination from noise and dust,” he says.

“Obviously with the amount of rail activity that there is going to be, Timberland is going to be heavily affected, and McEwens beach is going to have issues with dust and noise.

“We are not against the port development, but like everyone we just don’t want the effects of it in our own backyard.

“Like all new industries there are many guidelines that industry has to meet, but at the end of the day the question is whether those guidelines are acceptable to the community.

“We just want our lifestyles and property protected.”

People interested in nominating to the group can do so by going to www.nqbp.com.au.

NQBP says it expects to have a new group in place by late January.

“Like all new industries there are many guidelines that industry has to meet, but at the end of the day the question is whether those guidelines are acceptable to the community.”

Page 4 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Transfield to maintain pipeline network

TRANSFIELD Services has secured a contract worth more than $200 million over five years for the maintenance on gasfield and pipeline facilities for the Queensland Curtis LNG Project.

Under the contract, Transfield Services will support daily operational checks on equipment from the Surat Basin to The Narrows in Gladstone as well as scheduled maintenance.

Transfield Services, which began as a small family-owned outfit in the 1950s, was listed on the Australian stock exchange in

2001 and now employs more than 24,000 people across 20 industries and 11 countries.

Their work will help to ensure the safe operation of above-ground equipment such as well heads, natural gas processing and compression facilities, water storage ponds and the project’s 540km

underground pipeline network.

The contract runs from January 2013 until 2017 and includes an option for an extension, and demand for maintenance and operations employees will rise to a peak of up to 300 late in 2015.

Transfield Services says it will open an operational base, including a workshop for fabrication and repairs, in Chinchilla.

QGC managing director Derek Fisher says QGC and Transfield Services are committed to employing local people and using local suppliers of goods and services where possible.

“Using local businesses keeps skilled workers in regional areas, provides local employment and allows businesses to grow,” Mr Fisher says.

About half of capital expenditure on QCLNG until 2014 will be spent in Australia and about 80 per cent of operating expenditure will be spent in Australia from 2014.

Last month QGC awarded an $80 million contract to a joint venture between Transfield Services and Clough Projects Australia for engineering works near Wandoan and Miles.

“About half of capital expenditure on QCLNG until 2014 will be spent in Australia and about 80 per cent of operating expenditure will be spent in Australia from 2014.”

FAST NEWS Western mines await LIVE in Cairns, work in Perth. That may not be as obscure as it sounds as fly-in, fly-out options for the far north Queensland city’s workers are canvassed. A national industry skills group, SkillsDMC, is surveying workers to see if those living within 90 minutes of the airport want to travel to Western Australia for work. Cairnsbased FIFO coordinator Jeremy Blockey has told media an online survey currently underway will provide data to convince resource companies to look to the far north for workers. ..............................................................................

Harbour post empty

APPLICATIONS for the chairman’s role on the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Science Panel closed four months ago but there is yet to be an official appointment to the critical position.

The science panel is to provide independent and objective scientific advice to the Gladstone Healthy Harbour partnership about the long term management and monitoring of the harbour.

Earlier this year 20 water-related businesses, including anglers and charter operators, attempted to take a multi-million class action against the Gladstone Ports Corporation and Queensland Government over losses incurred through poor water quality in the harbour that lead to partial closure of the waterway.

Livin' the Dream with finance arranged by

money now Buy your dream vehicle

with finance arranged by Money Now

and get a Bonus # $250 Gift Card* call us now

or SMS your name to

1300 937 937 0448 345 345 fast finance

competitive rates

w w w. m o n e y n o w. c o m . a u / l i v i n g

# This offer is available to all customers who are approved for finance and have their loan settled by 31st December 2012 as a result of responding to this advertisement.

*Coles Group & Myer Gift Card: Conditions and exclusions apply.

For full Terms of Use visit giftcards.com.au or phone 1300 304 990.

Page 5 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Locals are being employed says pro-active Bechtel

CONTINUED grumblings from Gladstone tradies that locals are not being employed

by US construction giant, Bechtel, for the LNG facilities work on Curtis Island have been dismissed.

A spokesperson for Bechtel told Shift Miner this week that its recruitment strategy is to employ locals first, statewide and then nationally, but jobs depended on the schedule and milestones to be achieved.

“While we say we have a peak workforce of about 8,800 people for these projects, we do not need everyone today,” he says.

Different skills are required at different times.

“Our projects are gradually moving out of the earthworks and into the next phases. We need varying skill sets through the different phases. These currently include areas such as scaffolding, pipe fitting and carpenters.”

Electricians in Gladstone told local media that despite being in touch with Bechtel recruiters about employment at the end of last year, they have not had a response.

Recently, a qualified electrician told Shift Miner he had been in contact with countless companies in the resources industry, and had not been acknowledged.

“It’s who you know, I’ve discovered,” he says. He declined to be named because he will be applying for work again in the New Year.

Bechtel’s spokesperson says 4000 Gladstone locals are working on Curtis Island,

which is half the workforce, and the other 40 per cent are from other parts of Queensland.

“About 6 per cent are from outside Queensland and 4 per cent are international Bechtel professionals brought in for their expertise to oversee and support the construction of the three projects in Gladstone,” he says.

Over the next three months, the recruitment team is looking for skilled workers in areas such as electrical and instrumentation trades, steel fixers, riggers, pipe fitters and tested/special class welders.

The spokesperson says the company has been successful in finding many employees locally through its recruitment centre on Alf O’Rouke Drive and through online registrations at www.gladstoneprojects.com.

“In an effort to ensure we are continuing to attract local workers to our projects, our recruitment team recently ran a six-week campaign through the local media and at the local shopping centres to ensure locals were aware of what opportunities exist on our projects,” he says.

“Our projects are gradually moving out of the earthworks and into the next phases. We need varying skill sets through the different phases. These currently include areas such as scaffolding, pipe fitting and carpenters.”

Registration figures reveal hunt for gas dollars MORE than 47,000 registrations of interest have been received from Australian businesses seeking to supply to the QCLNG project.

The figure was revealed last week at the annual QGC local contractor workshop at Chinchilla, which attracted 250 Surat Basin businesses.

QGC’s upstream operations manager Richard Schokman says business representatives heard about current and long-term opportunities to work with the company.

Tradespeople, suppliers and other businesses were among the crowd with the event supported by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise.

Speakers included representatives of Industry Capability Network Queensland, the not-for-profit advocate for local industry, and Australian Export Finance and Insurance Corporation.

Mr Schokman says QGC aims to award contracts to support long-term operations and maintenance during the next two years.

“We will be a partner of local businesses in the long-term so this is just the start,” he says.

“QGC is delivering significant benefits to local communities, with nearly $400 million already spent in the Western Downs region between Toowoomba and Roma.

“Last week, QGC awarded a contract to Transfield Services worth more than $200 million over five years for regular maintenance on gas field and pipeline facilities.

“Transfield Services will open an operational base in Chinchilla and they are committed to employing local people and using local suppliers of goods and services where possible.”

More than 20 similar events have been held by QGC for local businesses across the Queensland Curtis LNG Project area during the past three years.

QGC’s major tender documents and contracts include clauses requiring it to give Australian suppliers full, fair and reasonable opportunity to participate in the project.

“Last week, QGC awarded a contract to Transfield Services worth more than $200 million over five years for regular maintenance on gas field and pipeline facilities.”

Page 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Uncovered coal trains rile residents group

PRESSURE is mounting on coal companies and QR National to reduce coal dust from trains that pass through dozens of city suburbs en route to the Port of Brisbane.

Air testing of the trains has been conducted by the State Government after complaints from the public and results will be released next month.

The fight is already on, however, to get more information on how much dust is escaping from the 9 million tonnes of coal shipped through more than 30 suburbs each year including Darra, Goodna, Tennyson, Yeronga, Coorparoo, Norman Park and Lindum.

Wind can carry coal dust for kilometres.

At Coorparoo the trains travel on an overpass within metres of busy Coles and Woolworths shopping centres and across Wynnum Road, while the trains are also passing through stations where commuters wait for passenger trains.

Stop Brisbane Coal Trains (SBCT) has launched a Facebook page to campaign against the uncovered trains. The page shows clods of coal that have fallen

from trains and onto roadways and paths.

There are also numerous images of protests against coal and coal trains.

The group wants all coal loads covered.

SBTC has described as “bogus� the recent testing, claiming drivers knew where and when testing was taking place and slowing down to reduce dust particles flying off their loads.

QR National denies that drivers acted differently during testing or that any form of go-slow was in place, or that the drivers were told where tests would be carried out.

The Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts conducted the testing at Tennyson in September.

This was after complaints to the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection from residents along the railway tracks.

Test results will be used to determine any further action that needs to be taken.

Meanwhile, an estimated 9.2 million tonnes of coal is expected to be exported from the Port of Brisbane this financial year, up from 6.3 million in 2009-10.

An estimated 9.2 million tonnes of coal is expected to be exported from the Port of Brisbane this financial year, up from 6.3 million in 2009-10.

Page 7 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Explosives a silver lining in clouded results

INCITEC Pivot’s ammonium nitrate plant at Moranbah has quickly become the company’s star performer since opening in July.

At the release of its annual results recently, Incitec Pivot highlighted the explosives plant generated 60 per cent of total earnings before interest and tax.

Overall earnings for the company dropped $40 million for the year because

of lower fertiliser prices and the strong Australian dollar. The company is the dominant player in the Australian fertiliser trade.

But the explosives plant is a new division and is on track to produce 250,000 tonnes in its first full year of operation in 2013 to provide a further $75 million in earnings.

Incitec recorded a net profit after tax of $404.7 million - a drop of 24 per cent.

The release of the data coincided with a blowout of the boiler at its sulphuric acid plant in Mt Isa, causing a $25 million shutdown and loss of production for the next month.

The acid plant supplies the phosphate plant at Phosphate Hill. The company says it will be offline for the next month while repairs take place.

The breakdown will mean substantial operational losses and repair costs.

Xstrata’s Copper smelter relies on the plant to capture sulphur emissions produced during copper refining. It’s unknown how the closure of the acid plant will impact Xstrata’s copper operations.

Incitec Pivot managing director James Fazzino says the breakdown will reduce the plant’s annual output by 50,000 tonnes.

“There will be a $25 million impact in terms of repair costs, the cost of supplying Phosphate Hill with purchased acid and also under-absorption of fixed costs,” he says “Obviously it’s disappointing and not where we want to be.”

Incitec Pivot says it is replacing the boiler rather than repairing it.

Meanwhile, Mr Fazzino says the company is lobbying the government to keep coal seam gas prices low, to keep its costs down.

“Gas is a major input into fertiliser manufacturing, particularly with our Gibson Island Plant, which ends up being fairly marginal at high gas prices,” he says.

“The result of the gas boom on the east coast of Australia is going to mean that gas consumers, industry, mining and domestic households are going to be asked to pay the world’s highest prices (which is Asian oillinked LNG prices) for our own gas.”

Bechtel cleans up asbestos IT IS business as usual for multinational construction company Bechtel after its brush with asbestos led to strike action, legal threats and mayhem.

The issue dominated headlines when it emerged that at least 90 workers had been exposed to white asbestos at the company’s Gladstone operations.

The exposures occurred when work was undertaken on two container switch rooms that been imported from Indonesia by manufacturer Metito.

Metito is contracted on all three Curtis

Island sites; QCLNG, GLNG and APLNG for water and sewerage treatment plants.

“Certified contractors have been used to remove and clean equipment from the containers,” a spokesperson from Bechtel told Shift Miner. “Some of that equipment was then installed in new containers and is being placed in operation.

“Affected containers are sealed and transported off the island to a certified facility for disposal.”

The spokesperson says this work is being done in accordance with plans developed

Page 8 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

by certified contractors, with the assistance of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and Australian Customs.

The containers yet to be transported to the certified landfill for disposal of course remain sealed and quarantined.

The spokesperson says Bechtel has a zero asbestos policy within all its contracts

for equipment and materials.

“We never compromise on safety and we would never knowingly bring in such materials,” he says.

“Our processes and procedures and those of our contractors and suppliers are constantly being reviewed to ensure we remain compliant with national and international standards.”

“We never compromise on safety and we would never knowingly bring in such materials.”

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Australian firm grabs $100m Caval Ridge contract AUSTRALIAN engineering firm Monadelphous has been awarded a $100 million contract to construct the coal handling plant for BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) at Caval Ridge.

Work will begin immediately on the civil, structural, mechanical, piping, and electrical and instrumentation works for the Bowen Basin coal handling plant.

Monadelphous says it expects to complete the contract in the fourth quarter of the 2013 calendar year.

The engineering firm, which has been publicly listed since 1991, has projects across Australia and Papua New Guinea.

BHP Billiton says the mine is still on schedule to deliver its first production in 2014, although the company will be keeping a close eye on market conditions.

Caval Ridge had been the subject of rumours that it would be mothballed, an allegation the company rejected.

BHP did, however, dump plans to build the Red Hill project and its Saraji East project and delayed the expansion of Peak Downs.

BHP made special mention of the project in its annual results this year.

“BMA is focused on bringing the business up to full production, reducing costs and executing projects currently under construction,” the spokesperson said.

“This includes projects such as Daunia Mine, Caval Ridge Mine, the third expansion of the Hay Point Coal Terminal (HPX3) and the Broadmeadow Sustaining Operations project.”

The mine has been highly controversial in the Moranbah community because it will become the first Queensland coal mine to be run entirely with a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce.

Trucks set to roll - BHP says plans for Caval Ridge are on track.

The company has just awarded a $100million contract for the coal handling facility.

That means no new families will move to the town with the project, with the workforce to be houses in a giant mining camp on the outskirts of town.

The new mine will produce 5.5 million tonnes of coal a year - and has a life expectancy of more than 60 years. The first coal is expected to be exported in three years time.

The mine has been highly controversial in the Moranbah community because it will become the first Queensland coal mine to be run entirely with a fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workforce.

The new mine will produce 5.5 million tonnes of coal a year - and has a life expectancy of more than 60 years. The first coal is expected to be exported in three years time.

Numbers You Can Count On* *When audited by the CAB

M A G A Z I N E

www.shiftminer.com

Proudly Audited by

For more information visit www.auditbureau.org.au

Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

FIFO report delayed by months THE long-awaited report from the Senate inquiry into fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out has been delayed until next year.

In a blow to the many organisations, employers and government agencies waiting on the outcome of the inquiry it has been confirmed to Shift Miner that the earliest the report would be finished was next year.

It was initially pencilled in for release in the first week in November.

Graham Nuttall, media manager for inquiry chair Tony Windsor, says extra work required by the committee members also looking into the Murray-Darling Basin management had slowed the FIFO/DIDO work.

The Australian Medical Association’s Western Australian branch has already publicly called for an interim report into the nationwide hearings conducted by the committee to be released as the final report was taking too long.

The AMA WA says action is required now to address the pressures of FIFO and DIDO. “It’s going to take so long (for the report) that the mining boom may poten-

tially be actually coming to an end,” AMA WA president Richard Choong says.

Medical, education and recreation services in major resource towns, such as Moranbah and Mackay, were shown during the hearings to be bearing the brunt of the growth in FIFO work numbers.

The inquiry has received more than 200 written submissions and toured the country in past months. The theme of many of the hearings has been that Australian resource communities are struggling to cope with the rapid increase in the FIFO and DIDO workforce.

Now they are looking for support and answers to how best to manage the rapid rise in non-resident workers that use local facilities.

As part of their investigations the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia even visited Canada where the oil industry flies thousands of workers to remote sites.

Mr Windsor said afterward that 40,000 of the Alberta city’s population of 100,000 are FIFO workers.

Ticket to ride - the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia says its report into fly-in, fly-out and drive-in, drive-out work has been delayed for months.

Fort McMurray, a petroleum industry centre, is feeling the strain of the rapid expansion brought about by a large FIFO workforce.

The town has doubled in size in eight years.

No date has been set for when the report will be available from the committee.

“It’s going to take so long (for the report) that the mining boom may potentially be actually coming to an end,” AMA WA president Richard Choong says.”

FROM PAGE 1

Union threatens strikes over safety reform “We are calling on the QRC to back away from its campaign to do away with the exact provisions in this state, which a Royal Commission has ruled is vital to introduce in New Zealand, to prevent a repeat of Pike River.”

The QRC, however, says the union’s public campaign against the QRC’s submission is misleading.

QRC’s chief executive Michael Roche told Shift Miner his organisation wants to see the removal of the union’s power to shut down an operation where its sees “an unacceptable level of risk”.

“We’ve heard enough from our members about [union representatives] using the threat of this power and it’s used more as an industrial weapon than safety,” he says.

Mr Roche stresses the QRC’s submission is about bringing Queensland’s safety legislation in line with New South Wales’s and has been supported by the Pike River Royal Commission findings.

Unlike NSW, Queensland’s mine check inspectors — or industry safety and health representatives — are elected by the union and have their powers set out in safety legislation, unlike safety and health representatives, who are elected by the workforce.

Both these representatives have the right to shut down operations if there is a perceived immediate danger to workers.

“We are not objecting to continue these positions, but point out that all workers have

the right to withdraw their work if there is an immediate danger,” Mr Roche says.

“We do have an issue where an industry safety and health representative can hurt an operation if they consider a risk.”

He says this is a power that should be exercised by a mine inspector, who is a government department employee.

Mr Roche says the QRC has no objections to mine check inspectors or safety officers bringing forward concerns and requesting an inspector shut down an operation.

“Where we draw the line is when these powers are used to shut down a mine, and it should be by an inspector and not by a paid member of the CFMEU,” he says.

The damning Pike River Royal Commission recommended that legislative changes should be introduced in New Zealand to improve worker engagement with health and safety.

The detailed report states that union representatives should have the same powers as a non-union elected safety and health representatives, and that both have the power to stop operations when there is an immediate danger to workers.

The Pike River report recommends that if there is concern over a potential risk, this should be reported immediately to a mines inspector.

Mr Smyth says coal miners would have no hesitation to shut down the industry if the state government complies with the QRC’s wishes and removes the power of union-elected check inspectors to stop production over safety risks.

“Mine managers have competing demands,” Mr Smyth says. “They have production targets and shareholders to keep happy. It’s nothing personal, but mine workers don’t trust management with their lives and Pike River has reminded us why.”

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.

Michael Bailey

Greg Cary

Alan Jones

Laurie Atlas

Weekdays 5am - 9am

NOW WITH MORE NEWS, MORE TALK AND THE MUSIC YOU LOVE WWW.4RO.COM.AU

Page 10 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

Weekdays 12pm - 1pm PHONE: 1300 872 911

Weekdays 9am - 12pm

Weekdays 1pm - 6pm

SALES ENQUIRIES: (07) 4920 2000

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Gas work keeps the tills ticking THE coal seam gas industry has stopped the rural drift from western Queensland says one of the men charged with improving relationships between rural landholders and resource companies.

Western Downs mayor Ray Brown was appointed earlier this year to the Queensland GasFields Commission and says the continued boom is proving to be mostly positive for the region and its residents.

Many small communities have been transformed from struggling rural centres to bustling towns trying to cope with the growing pains brought by the extra workers and money of gas and coal-related expansion.

“The massive development occurring in the Surat Basin is largely extremely positive,” Commissioner Ray Brown says.

“My region has stopped the rural drift - our regional community’s population is stagnant, while most other regional communities are in decline.

“What has happened is our sons and daughters are working in the energy sector.”

More than $460 million worth of contracts was awarded by coal seam gas companies Wandoan, Dalby and Roma areas

last month alone.

A major upgrade for the Miles airport enabling night and day operations was announced by Australia Pacific LNG as well.

One businessman who has seized opportunities from the CSG boom is Selwyn Bruhl.

He began as a sole-trader contractor for local farmers and shire councils 30 years ago.

Now he owns and runs Bruhl Roadworks and Earthmoving, a $50 million a year business based in Tara employing more than 200 workers.

“The gas industry has been great for the local economy,” Mr Bruhl says.

“Everybody has benefited: the local pub, bakery - some businesses would have most likely shut their doors if the CSG industry hadn’t come to town.

“It’s been challenging though. Keeping up with QGC’s requirements, the pace of the CSG-LNG industry whilst keeping safety in the forefront of our minds has been a big task.

“The only way I’ve managed is to have a good team around me, who have taken ownership of parts of the business.”

But the news of massive investment and business expansion was not without a casualty.

Western Downs mayor Ray Brown on the road discussing gas developments. He was appointed earlier this year to the Queensland GasFields Commission and says the continued boom is proving to be mostly positive for the region and its residents.

An Australian manufacturer of prefabricated materials, RPG Holdings, closed the doors of its Dalby plant this month.

A major problem for some employers is cost of housing and its flow-on effects.

“I know of one house in Miles that recently went from being worth $79,000 to $470,000 in three years and now to $700,000,” Mr Brown says.

“You can rent these homes for up to $2000 a week in some towns, pushing accommodation costs out of reach for lower income earners.

“In turn, businesses have been finding it difficult to attract and retain staff.

“A manufacturing company shut its doors in Dalby this month - that’s a business in my home town that couldn’t get staff.”

“What has happened is our sons and daughters are working in the energy sector.”

Pipe dream almost over

THE tiny township of Bajool, along Port Alma Road, will soon be farewelling the hustle and bustle associated with the Gladstone LNG project.

The normally sleepy township, which lies 30 minutes drive south of Rockhampton, has been temporarily storing the pipes as they arrive from overseas.

But now there are only two shipments left to handle, with one due this week and the final by the end of the year, a spokesperson from Santos GLNG told Shift Miner.

“There are 15 shipments of pipes from our contractor in total,” he says.

The project has provided employment for many locals, including local graziers who have been called in to help unload each shipment.

Others have been employed at the stor-

age facility.

Each shipment contains about 6000 joints, and the storage facility in Bajool is so large it can almost be seen from the Bruce Highway. Each piece of 42-inch pipe is 12 metres long.

The pipes are moved west for the pipeline connecting the gas fields to the Gladstone LNG plant.

“As safety is a priority in everything we do, we will be transporting a maximum of four pipes per load to lay down locations along the pipeline route,” the spokesperson told Shift Miner in an earlier interview.

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

The pipes are being transported via road, on the back of purpose-built trucks.

“The project has provided employment for many locals, including local graziers who have been called in to help unload each shipment.”

Page 11 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Hotel ban a giant setback for sex workers CIVIL libertarians and sex worker organisations have accused the Queensland government of taking a giant step backwards with its proposed changes to the Anti-discrimination Act, allowing motel owners to evict sex workers.

Queensland’s Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie announced the law change last week in response to a sex worker who won an anti-discrimination case against a Moranbah hotel in August.

The woman had been in the town meeting with clients in the mining industry.

Scarlet Alliance, a national sex worker organisation, says the law change not only puts sex workers in a vulnerable position but there is a potential for misuse against the general community.

The organisation’s chief executive Ms Fawkes told Shift Miner that the right to be able to refuse accommodation, evict or treat a sex worker unfavourably ignores the reason anti-discrimination legislation was originally introduced.

“At the moment it is not legal for an accommodation provider to evict someone based on the way they look or act, this law could be misused if they don’t want a person staying in their accommodation,” she says.

Ms Fawkes says the law change is unnecessary, as motel owners already have the right to evict people from their premises if

they are creating a nuisance.

“Many people use accommodation for business. This proposed change in legislation singles out sex workers, who have a legal right to work in Queensland [under certain conditions],” she says.

“Sex workers already face discrimination based on a moral belief and not because they are creating a nuisance.”

Queensland Council of Civil Liberties Terry O’Gorman says the changes, which have been rushed through with no public consultation, are a reversion to the Bjelke-Petersen years.

He says often when legislation is extreme and a product of non-consultation, it can have significant and unintended consequences.

This change may remove safeguards against broader discrimination.

“The whole history of why anti-discrimination legislation has been brought in around the country, but particularly in Queensland, is because you had, particularly in country areas in the past, in the 70s and the 80s, hotel and motel owners refusing accommodation, particularly to Aboriginal people, because they thought they lowered the tone of the place,” he says.

“That’s why you had anti-discrimination legislation brought in.”

A decision to ban sex workers from hotels, prompted by the case involving a Moranbah motel and this woman, has been described as a step back in time sex worker organisations.

Orica fined over illegal releases ORICA has been fined $432,000 after admitting unauthorised stormwater and effluent water releases from its Yarwun facility near Gladstone.

The matters were heard in Gladstone Magistrate’s Court and the firm was ordered to pay $100,000 toward turtle research at Port Curtis, $90,000 for Conservation Volunteers Australia’s Gladstone program and $60,000 for the Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership.

It is believed to be the first time a court imposed public benefits order to restore or enhance the environment under the Environmental Protection Act. The charges were related to allegations of more than 250 counts of wilfully contravening a condition of a development approval and were brought by the state government.

It was alleged that Orica was aware of the licence conditions but elected to ignore some of the requirements for an extended period.

Orica produces ammonium nitrate and sodium cyanide for the mining industry at the plant.

The company originally told media it would defend the allegations but pleaded guilty in court.

Orica admitted four counts of contravening a condition of a development approval under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

“This result finalises all current charges against Orica, which have been combined and rolled-up into the four contraventions of the Environmental Protection Act 1994,” Environment Minister Andrew Powell said afterward.

“One charge relates to an unauthorised release of cyanide through stormwater in 2010, which was detected during a proactive departmental site visit during a period of heavy rainfall.

“The other charges relate to unauthorised releases of effluent containing cyanide.”

On 217 occasions between March 2011 and February 2012 Orica released effluent containing cyanide levels in excess of permit limits.

Orica also failed to test for cyanide between June 2010 and February 2012 and on 50 occasions between March 2011 and May 2011 Orica failed to notify the relevant government department about unauthorised releases.

The firm was also ordered to pay $53,101.09 in legal and investigation costs.

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

Transport

General manufacturing and Fabrication

Motor sport, boating and leisure

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

www.dweonline.net

M: 0448 243 343 E: darylweng@gmail.com Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

dwe Daryl Watson Engineering

News

150th EDITION. 2012

Indonesian mine road to be Aussie built TWO Australian resource companies have landed a construction contract for a coal hauling and access road in Indonesia.

Dust management and soil stabilisation company Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) together with Proof Engineers will design and build the multi-million dollar road at Kalimantan coal mine.

Expected to be a one-year project, Proof Engineers director Sebastian Karsas says the haul road, once complete, will demonstrate how well-designed and constructed roads can support Indonesia’s growing coal mining industry.

“Though coal mining in Indonesia is an expanding market, distribution still remains a challenge due to difficult terrain and damaged roads,” Mr Karsas says.

“The haul road has been designed to ensure safety during the transportation process as well as significantly increase production rates, while RST’s products will improve the road’s structural integrity, reduce road maintenance and protect the road’s surface from rapid deterioration and damage.

“We are estimating the haul road will take up to a year to construct, due to weath-

er and environmental challenges that currently exist in Indonesia – however once complete, the haul road will perform well in these conditions.”

RST operations and technical director David Handel says they had specifically formulated their products to be used to cater for the Indonesian road after extensive research since entering the Indonesian market.

“RI-B is a powdered speciality blend that acts as an effective road stabiliser and RI9 is a dust control agent, designed for use in the site’s standard haul road watering program to greatly improve water penetration, agglomerate fine particles and consolidate haul road surfaces,” he says.

“In addition RI3 has been designed to cater for Indonesian clay soil types, and when applied over open soil material – it enables soil fines and gravel to attain a higher density and strength.

“This application allows the treated material to be compacted with less water, while improving material density by reducing the void spaces between the soil particles, simultaneously limiting the water’s ability to permeate through the treated material.”

ST’s technical and operations director David Handel with Proof Engineers director Sebastian Karsas.

“We are estimating the haul road will take up to a year to construct, due to weather and environmental challenges that currently exist in Indonesia – however once complete, the haul road will perform well in these conditions.”

What Tropical ear and Hope forisIndustrial Deafness what can I do to prevent it?

Many people are exposed to dangerous levels Otitis Externa or more commonly known of noise throughout their working and social up here as Tropical Ear or Swimmers Ear arein a lives. This can catch up with you and result bacterial or hearing fungal infections of the ear canal. permanent loss, or “industrial deafness”.

They are particularly prevalent in the tropical Aareas common of suff erers isbecause that they can and incomplaint the summer months the hot, humid and but moist conditions cause hear people talking, can’t understand what perspiration and moisture to develop in the they are saying. ear canal making it an ideal environment for Previously was very toLike treatmost industrial fungus anditbacteria tohard grow. other deafness because putting a standard hearing ear pathologies, prevention is better than the aid inand the there ear physically blocked thecan earbe and cure are procedures that undertakenthe to use minimise riskhearing of infection. prevented of thethe good in the low pitched Probably theareas. biggest mistake most people the constant of waxt or Amake newisdevice called aremoval Micro Open-fi hearing cleaning of the ears with cotton buds. Earwax aid alleviates all the usual problems associated or cerumen, has several purposes but most

with treating industrial deafness. Instead of importantly in itinvisible have natural antifungal blocking the the ear oils these devices leave the and antibacterial properties that can prevent ear open allowing you to use your good hearing thethe onset, well as the sustainability of aid in low as pitched areas with the hearing ear infections within the ear canal. Further helping out with speech sounds in the high contributing to this is the role it plays in keeping pitched areas. the ear canal at a certain pH level, as its acidity is unfavourable for many micro organisms.

The repeated removal of these oils, plus the further smearing of bacteria or fungus makes the ear canal more susceptible to developing or spreading the infection.

The result is a natural sound, no excessive again it can provide environment forvoice background noise, the andperfect no loud chewing or infection.

Try and dry the ear out with the end of echoes. your towel or if you know you are susceptible to If you, orthen someone you ers from infection use Aqua Earknow from a suff chemist.

Aqua Ear is an alcohol based substance which evaporates these symptoms phone Clarity Hearing any water intoday the earfor canal.

Again, Solutions a free no prevention obligationis better than the cure and the use of a swim plug to consultation. prevent water from entering the ear canal is best if you have a history of chronic Otitis Externa.

Also contributing to the susceptibility of Otitis Externa is getting any water in the ears either from swimming in creeks, rivers, dams, pools or showering. If any bacteria or fungus is present in the water and it doesn’t drain and dry out, then

Grant Collins - Principal Audiologist/Managing Director Clarity Hearing Solutions

For a free rehabilitative hearing consultation contact Clarity Hearing Solutions on 07 4957 2000 today.

B.Psych(Dist).,M.AudSt.,MAudSA (CCP)., MAAAPP.

Jodie Miles – Clarity Hearing Solutions B.Sp.Path.(Hons).,M.AudSt.,MAudSA(CCP). Senior Audiologist

Call now for your free no obligation consultation 4957 2000 Shop Mackay Shop 6, 6, 25-29 25-29 Evans Avenue, North Mackay

Visiting Moranbah, Proserpine, Sarina & Northern Beaches Visiting Moranbah, Proserpine, Sarina & Northern Beaches & Walkerston.

Advanced Hearing Aid and Audiological Specialists e enquiries@clarityhearingsolutions.com.au

w www.clarityhearingsolutions.com.au

Grant Collins Audiologist B.PSYCH(DIST)., M.AUDST., MAUDSA(CCP)

Jodie Miles Audiologist B.SPATH(HONS)., M.AUDST., MAUDSA(CCP)

Page 13 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

SHIFT West is like another country: study 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

IF you’re a Queenslander thinking of heading west for work be prepared for it to feel like you’ve moved to another country.

That’s one finding of research by Edith Cowan University into resource workers that leave the eastern mines and move to Western Australia.

In an industry first, researchers investigated why resources companies are using 457 business visas to recruit staff from overseas – a process which can cost between $7000 and $65,000 per person – at a time when the federal government is offering cash incentives to entice workers to cross the Nullarbor.

School of Management researcher and project lead Dr Susanne Bahn questioned resources companies and recruitment agents about their use of the visa. She found government initiatives were not enough to entice workers to move interstate.

“Participants indicated that they had encountered reluctance from Australian recruits about relocating to Western Australia,” Dr Bahn says.

“Moving away from family and friends, the fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) working arrangements, a lack of social infrastructure and accommodation with reasonable rents, and the perceived

high cost of living were the main reasons.”

She says the research had also shown Queensland and New South Wales workers view relocating to the west as akin to moving overseas, with the cost of living, social isolation and remote job locations compounding the reasons why skilled workers are staying put.

If workers won’t move, and those that do don’t like it, companies have little option but to seek workers offshore.

“With a lack of willing or available Australian recruits, resources companies are left with little alternative other than to plug the recruitment gaps with specialist skilled migrant workers,” Dr Bahn says.

The research has also revealed resource companies sometimes require highly skilled workers who have received specialist training often not available in Australia. Dr Bahn says migrant workers can help upskill the Australian workforce and better prepare graduates to hit the ground running.

“The resources companies want graduates that can hit the ground running, graduates who can take responsibility for multi-million dollar equipment for example,” Dr Bahn says.

“We found that there is a lack of work ready university graduates. Higher educa-

Overseas workers on special visas are going to be needed in the future for Western Australian mining jobs as we don’t like working there a new study has shown.

tion institutions need to rethink how they deliver courses that feed the resources sector to include more on the job placements for the duration of their degree.

“Highly skilled migrant workers can also pass on their knowledge and skills to Aus-

“With a lack of willing or available Australian recruits, resources companies are left with little alternative other than to plug the recruitment gaps with specialist skilled migrant workers.”

generated at BeQRious.com

Page 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

tralian workers thereby training them in new and innovative practices.

“Modern Australian has been built through skilled migration and it appears that this is a trend that is likely to continue with benefits for workers, employers and the nation.”

directions in living

Living the dream

The Capricorn Coast Moving to CQ to work in mining or industry?

Trying to decide where to base your family home?

Over the next few months, Shift Miner Magazine helps you compare the region’s towns and cities and make the best choice for you.

Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

Capricorn Coast LIVING

Capricorn Coast calling all miners...

corn Enterprise’s Mary Carroll.

Ms Carroll is a statistic herself - married to a miner, living at Yeppoon - and she is more than happy to spruik its attributes.

“The Capricorn Coast is seen as the leisure destination for the entire region. It’s popular among mining families, and it is growing now with many moving from Gladstone for lifestyle reasons.”

So what makes the Capricorn Coast a stand-out destination for mining families?

Here is a snapshot of the region: LIFESTYLE Beaches, national parks, fishing, golfing, camping and four-wheel driving - need we say more?

“Two of the five golf courses on the Coast are in the Top 20 in Australia,” said Ms Carroll.

“There are a raft of fishing choices from owning your tinnie to deep sea charter fishing.

Four-wheel driving is also extremely popular at places like Five Rocks and Stanage Bay.”

DID you know that roughly half of CQ’s miners already call Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast home?

“The official statistic is that 50 per cent

of mining families in the Banana shire and 54 per cent of those from the Central Highlands already live here, and their partners commute to work,” said Capri-

CLIMATE Everyone in Rocky knows that on a stinking hot day you head up Mt Archer or drive straight to the coast.

“On average, the coast is five degrees cooler than Rocky, and there can be up to nine degrees difference some days,” said Ms Carroll.

“You always get that sea breeze.”

EASY COMMUTE “Between 25 and 30 per cent of workers in Rockhampton are based on the Capricorn Coast and commute daily, so it’s not just a lifestyle choice for mining families,” said Ms Carroll.

It is an easy 25-minute drive between Rocky and Yeppoon. The highway between the two towns is four lanes, thanks to the construction of the Capricorn Resort years ago.

At the other end of the coast, the highway between Rockhampton and Emu Park has undergone a substantial upgrade over the past few years and only takes about half an hour to drive.

From Rockhampton, the Bowen Basin coalfields are anywhere between two and five hours drive, depending on whether you are working at the southern or northern end.

AFFORDABLE Considering the beauty of the Capricorn Coast, it continues to be very affordable compared with other coastal destinations in the region.

“You get a lot more bang for your buck when it comes to housing, and on top of that the geographical terrain means many properties have sea views,” said Ms Carroll.

YOUNG CROWD The coast is seen as a young, dynamic community. “The average age is 37 and there are a lot of young families,” said Ms Carroll.

We invite you to visit... and perhaps stay?

THERE are a handful of places on this earth that take your breath away, where a view glimpsed over a rise commands your attention and invigorates your senses. Coming over the hill and catching a first glimpse of the ocean and islands at the entry to Yeppoon has got to rank as one of the most stunning.

The beautiful Capricorn Coast is both a sanctuary and home to many in our region’s mining community and it is so easy to see why.

Here in the heart of the resources

boom, the coastal communities of Yeppoon, Emu Park and Zilzie are living the dream. Affordable beachfront land, established communities, nationally respected schools and great choices in local shopping and cafes combine to make this part of the world a very special place indeed.

And our arms are wide open to welcome newcomers. The Capricorn Coast is a delightful settled residential community with all the vibrancy you would expect from such a popular holiday destination.

With a strong development industry and

Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

healthy real estate sales, the Capricorn Coast presents an ideal investment opportunity for those who appreciate the longterm value of property.

As a holiday destination or short term break... our endless blue skies and stunning beaches have established the coast’s reputation. We invite you to visit and perhaps to stay?

Margaret Strelow Mayor Rockhampton Region

Capricorn Coast LIVING

Seaside living

“At the moment properties are moving, there are not as many listings but they are selling and there are plenty of buyers about.”

The coast is also versatile in terms of exactly what sort of property you’d like to buy.

The latest apartment complex on the foreshore of Yeppoon, Oshen, is currently being built and offers modern apartmentstyle living in the main street of town.

If you’d like some acreage to enjoy the quiet life on your days off, with a tropical fruit orchard and a little creek burbling in the background, then the Byfield area would be the place to have a look around.

If you couldn’t care less about fancy

houses, your only interest is fishing, crabbing and getting your boat in the water at every opportunity - then the tiny village of Keppel Sands could be the perfect fit.

Emu Park offers a quieter alternative to Yeppoon, and all the little beaches in-between have side streets that could be the driveway to your new home.

“Whatever you want to do, there really is a fairly broad selection in the region,” says Kev. *All figures quoted in this article are contained in the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s Market Monitor Report for the March 2012 quarter.

YEPPOON - AT A GLANCE

without the mortgage stress FROM a fibro fisherman’s paradise to a two-storey mansion with panoramic views, the Capricorn Coast has a real estate option for every budget and lifestyle.

And the price tag - generally speaking is not too bad either.

The median house price* for the Rockhampton region, which incorporates the Capricorn Coast, sits at $320,000 - but not surprisingly, you will pay a bit more to live at the beach.

In Yeppoon, the median house price is $347,500 - and you’ll be looking at $525,000 at Pacific Heights and $446,000 down the road at Lammermoor.

So, what sort of property would you get for the low to mid $300,000s on the coast?

“Just the basics, an older-style three-bedroom house with one bathroom and a lock up garage,” says long-time local real estate agent Kevin Doolan.

Kev has been in real estate on the coast for more than four decades and is the principal at Emu Park Professionals.

He says the development at both ends of the coast has been a game-changer for property over the past five years.

“We now have the IGA at Emu Park, and the Yeppoon Central complex with Woolies and McDonalds. That was a major turning point, and it has really helped the region,” he says.

“People who live at Keppel Sands for instance now go to Emu Park to buy groceries; it keeps people living locally and they no longer have to go into Rocky.”

If you’re looking to spend a little more than the median house price, the quality of your home will jump up quite dramatically.

“For a turn-key property - a four bedroom, two bathroom house on 700m2, you’d be looking at between $400,000 and $440,000.”

Median house price

$347,500

Median unit/townhouse price

$305,000

Median vacant land price

$160,000

Median weekly rent

$350/week three-bedroom house $290/week two-bedroom unit

Median sales on the Capricorn Coast - suburb break down

Suburb

March quarter 2012

Lammermoor

$446,000

Pacific Heights

$525,000

Taranganba

$337,250

Yeppoon

$347,500

Taroomball

$431,500

Comparing Apples with Apples

Yeppoon

Rockhampton

Gladstone

Mackay

$347,500

$320,000

$475,000

$425,000

Median unit/townhouse price $305,000

$284,000

$358,250

$310,000

Median vacant land price

$160,000

$143,500

$246,500

$194,000

$350/week threebedroom house

$330/week threebedroom house

$480/week threebedroom house

$460/week threebedroom house

$290/week twobedroom unit

$250/week twobedroom unit

$360/week two-bedroom unit

$350/week two-bedroom unit

Median house price

Median weekly rent

Old school, in the modern age EVER dreamed of raising your kids in the low worry world of your childhood?

Well, the Capricorn Coast is one of very few places in today’s hectic world where you can.

Yeppoon is still small enough for kids to ride to school on their push bikes, but big enough for you to have a choice about which school to send them.

If you want to live further out of town on a bigger block in places like Coorooman Creek, then your kids can ride the school bus up the dirt road to the little bush school at Cawarral.

Choosing a school is an extremely important decision for all parents - and better educational options is one of the biggest reasons why mining families leave

smaller mining towns for the bigger coastal centres as their children reach high school.

The Capricorn Coast has two widely recognised boarding schools - St Brendan’s for boys and St Ursula’s for girls.

These schools offer mining families the opportunity to send their children to boarding school at the start of their high school years, with the option to relocate to the coast down the track and then switch over to the day student program.

Rockhampton schools are also just down the road, and broaden the choice for parents once again. In high school there is The Cathedral College, The Rockhampton Grammar School and Rockhampton Girls Grammar, which all offer boarding facilities.

State Schools on the Capricorn Coast Primary Byfield State School

The transition to tertiary education is also an easy one, with Rockhampton the primary campus for CQUniversity and Central Queensland TAFE. The two institutions will soon merge, making it the central hub for further study for anything from boilermaking to sonography.

Cawarral State School

Private Schools on the Capricorn Coast

Yeppoon State School

School

Emu Park State School Farnborough State School Keppel Sands State School Taranganba State School Yeppoon State School Secondary

Year levels

Religious Affiliation Gender

Boarding facilities

Sacred Heart School, Yeppoon

P-7

Catholic

Co-ed

No

St Benedict’s School, Pacific Heights

P-7

Catholic

Co-ed

No

St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon

8-12

Catholic

Boys

Yes

St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon

8-12

Catholic

Girls

Yes

St Ursula’s College, Yeppoon

8-12

Catholic

Girls

Yes

Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

3 hour sd riv e

PROS

Capricorn Coast

E

BAN IS R B o Kt

WOR

erald ive to Em r d in m 30 ait Minimum 0 mins w 3 r a c eturn 15 mins r flight 1.30 hour in ar 20 m Pick up c me Drive ho

At Least 5 hours

Living in the Rockhampton Region is easy, with health and essential services, education facilities and a healthy economy to support its increasingly young and vibrant population.

Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

1300 22 55 77 www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au

Capricorn Coast LIVING

Messing about in boats (golf carts & 4WDs) are a Off road adventures me sti pa rite ou fav

FIVE golf courses, seven boat ramps, and a marina. Need we say more?

But there is plenty more we can say about the Capricorn Coast! Unlike other strips along the Queensland east coast, the Capricorn Coast has always been geared towards providing a lifestyle for locals rather than major attractions for tourists.

Not surprisingly, owning your own boat is fairly common - and Saturday mornings are a friendly affair down at any of the region’s seven boat ramps.

Sunday afternoons at Yeppoon and the water off the main beach becomes a spectacular mass of dinghy sail boats competing in the local competition at the Capricorn Sailing Club. Ten minutes further south at Rosslyn Bay marina you’ll find the bigger boats moored

and the Capricorn Cruising Yacht Club.

If you’re down at Emu Park on a Sunday morning you could be bowled over by a swarming mass of yellow-and-red lycra clad kids training and competing in the local Nippers club.

Not everyone is water-sports mad, so if you’re a landlubber who’d prefer to unwind with their feet firmly on the terra firma of a golf course, well you’re also in luck.

There are five golf courses on the coast: two at Capricorn Resort, and one in Yeppoon, Emu Park and Zilzie.

Four-wheel driving and camping are popular pastimes, with Byfield National Park offering camping grounds at gorgeous waterholes like Upper Stony and Waterpark Creek. Five Rocks is a good hour’s 4WD-ing

through sand dunes, and the reward at the end is a spectacular surf beach with pristine waters just to the south of the Shoalwater Bay military training grounds.

If you’re someone who loves to get involved in local sport there is a club to suit, with a local rugby league, AFL, rugby union, cricket, touch football and soccer scene.

At dusk in Yeppoon, the esplanade comes alive with young families eating fish n chips, roller skating and licking ice creams.

This community feel is only set to grow, with one of the Rockhampton Regional Council’s biggest projects being the redevelopment of the Yeppoon foreshore at the old hospital site.

For more information on facilities and services check out the Rockhampton Regional Council website at www.rockhamptonregion.gov.au

t

ing is Perfecting your sw golf easy, on one of five ion reg the in es cours

THE options are endless.

The Capricorn Coast has a huge selection of food - from cheap and cheerful to fine dining.

If you want to try fish and chips on the Yeppoon foreshore, look no further than Seagulls, which has been serving up the chips for years (try the delicious banana fritters).

Just a few shops down on the esplanade is the Thai Takeaway - perfect for a meal in a box on your way home, or a casual night out with some BYO beer.

e s e n a p a J ic t n e h Aut u n e m e h t n o d o fo

Mantas On the Beach at Cooee Bay converts from a light and breezy cafe during the day, to a restaurant at night - all with magnificent views. Megalomania is known far and wide for its superb seafood, and the brilliant green lawn of the Rosslyn Bay marina plays host to delicious breakfasts right through to dinner.

The Capricorn Resort has always been a major drawcard for the region, and its Japanese restaurant is popular among tourists and locals for an authentic taste of sushi, sashimi and tempura. Booking is recommended.

If you’ve got a yearning for wood-fired pizza, try Beaches bistro at the Rosslyn Bay resort.

Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

around town 150th EDITION. 2012

RELAXING BY THE RIVER

Central Queenslanders looking to land a big one at the recent Saratoga Spectacular on the Mckenzie river

(L-R) Belly, Peter, Bubba, Dalvine, Jaxon and Maureen Daniels

(L-R) Amy, Dallis and Demi Bird

The McIver family

(L-R) Kelsea, and Tarni Anderson and Lainee Ingram

(L-R) Brett and Kayleene Knapman with their dog Lilo

(L-R) Fred Willes and Jacqi Kennedy

(L-R) Bill Strike, Misti, Rodney, Jessie, Sanka and Kurt Bull from Charters Towers

(L-R) Brad Boodman, Gerritt and Billy Strike

(L-R) Belly, Peter, Bubba, Dalvine, Jaxon and Maureen

(L-R) Jody, Meg and Mal McIver

(L-R) Keen fishermen Kyle and Dan Woodrow

(L-R) The winner of the boat Jason Shannon with organiser Steve Schuh

(L-R) Lachlan Anderson and Kurt Ingram

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.

Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

CAR FOR SALE 2008 TOYOTA AVENSIS VERSO 68000 Ks, 4 doors 7 seats, 4 cyl. A1 condition. New tyres. Complied 2009 Rear nudge-bar. Full logs. All Toyota serviced. Always kept undercover. With 7 seats there’s plenty of space for the whole family. $21,900 NEG Phone : 0413 913 042 CAR FOR SALE 2010 TOYOTA HILUX Mine Spec, BMA Thiess Mac Coal Certified, New 265 Maxxis Iron Mud Tires, ADB Bull Bar, Lightforce Driving Light,Twin Battery, Snorkle, Iron-Man Lift Kit, Mine Radio x 2, UHF, 135 Litre Fuel Tank, Oconners Tray, Toolboxes, Fire Ext 1st Aid MSDS. $ 40,000 Phone: 0421 000 789

BOAT FOR SALE Offshore Marine Master 2012 Mac5 Cuddy.

Brand new! 90HP Suzuki 4 stroke,Hydraulic steering,Live well, Bimini,Bait station, self draining fully welded floor,Kill tank. 4mm bottom,3mm sides. Comes on Dunbier Glider trailer. fishermans dream $39,950 Phone: 0404 891 776

BOAT FOR SALE 2004 PowerCat 2600 Sports Cabriolet. Twin 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke engines.

Sleeps 4, Toilet, Shower.

Road registered tandem trailer. Always maintained and kept in a shed. All safety gear. Excellent condition. Registered until September 2013.

Reduced to $108,000 Very Negotiable Phone: 0409 630 311

CARAVAN AND CAR

CAR FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FORD MUSTANG

2010 SOUTHERN CROSS 5TH WHEELER 8mtrs,complete with all

CONVERTABLE 67 302 V8 Auto. Left Hand

upgrades.

Drive, Disc Brakes.

FORD F250 V8 deisel w/

Excellent Condition,

gas injection. tow vehicle.

Fully Restored

Full details on request.Will

$48,000

pass any inspection.

Phone: 07 4162 5730 CAMPER AND CAR FOR SALE Compass slide-on camper on Ford F250 ute.Camper sleeps 2 plus makeup 3rd.

Range of accessories incl.

F250XL 2001, 4.2L diesel, 190,000km, strengthened springs, UHF, compressor.

Whole unit $45,000 ono. Camper only $11,000 ono.

Phone: 07 4933 7305

Phone: 0448 874 000

Phone: 0407 913 914

Phone: 0413 317 292

BUSINESS FOR SALE SACK THE BOSS AND EARN REAL $ Dry Ice blasting/cleaning equipment including website. dry ice unit only 60hrs! Kaeser air compressor only107hrs!

Genuine reason for sale. cost $96000. can be relocated anywhere! $60,000 ono Phone: 0410 091 105

CAR FOR SALE 2006 DODGE RAM 3500 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 $79,000 ono Phone: 0432 429 264

HOUSE/LAND FOR SALE NORTH OF YEPPOON 40ha.Open country, House,Dam,Bore(1100gl/ ph)Submersible pump, Yards &ramp Excellent garden & views.50ks nth of Yeppoon Turnoff. 1.3ks off highway,bitumen road.

School buses from Highway $595,000 ono

LAND FOR SALE 2.5 ACRES FARMLET

LAND FOR SALE

Bitumen Road and Phone to front Gate. School, PO, Garage, Hospital, Hotel kindergarden and stores 15 min Drive. New gold mines in area.

Acreage Living, City Conveniences!

4000 sqm North facing, corner premium block, 5 minutes from CBD, schools, transport.

Plenty of space for shed, pool, kids to play.

Phone: 07 4937 3564

Phone: 0413 501 222

BOAT FOR SALE SAILING CATAMARAN 12.6m Light Cruiser.

Sleeps 3.Auxiliary motor,dinghy and outboard.

Located at Yeppoon.

Call for full inventory and inspection. $150,000

HOUSE FOR SALE EMU PARK Excellent low set 3YO brick at Emu Park. 3beds, 2bath big yard, fenced. $350,000 Phone: 0419 020 566 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.

For More Info Call: Phone: 0428 227 623

$48,000

CARAVAN AND CAR FOR SALE F250 + SIERRA 5TH WHEELER 30ft, both 2006, both reg Oct 12, one bdrm unit on wheels, rear kitchen, q/bed,2 TVs,solar, gen 2.4kva, has much more $145,000 neg

BUSINESS FOR SALE 2 X PRIME MOVERS With large capacity cranes, 4 Trailers, Bundy based, Soild work contacts, Carrying house frames and trussestoGladstone, Rocky,Mackayand Central Highlands.established 1981 T\O approx $380,000 Call for more info and pics Asking $350,000 WIWO Phone: 0408 988 866

YEPPOON

$300,000 Phone: 0409 391 254

HOUSE FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR SALE

Gracemere acreage and

MACLEAY ISLAND

residence. Large well

Your own private resort

appointed 5 bedroom

Absolute waterfront home

home on 10 acres.

Stables, yards, shed, bore. 3 km from new shopping centre.

Retire or use as a getaway www.realestate.com. au/property-house-qldeay+island-111073031

$700,000 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.

Double lock-up garage.

Stainless steel kitchen appliances. Spacious open plan kitchen, dining & lounge. Potential rental return above $22 000p/a. $429,000 Phone: 0418 796 074

BUSINESS FOR SALE INVESTMENT FREEHOLD HOTEL MOTEL One hour from Bundaberg 9 year lease with experienced tenant returning $57,200 p.yr + annual CPI increases.

Get together a syndicate on 50% deposit -finance $540,000 Phone: 07 4151 4500 YACHT FOR SALE Catamaran 15 metre by 11 metre. 3 double sleeping cabins 1 single.

Separate Dinette, galley. Separate toilet shower with holding tank. Genuine reason for sale. All gear dinghies, motors, fenders, spares.

Unique boat very cheap.

Lying Airlie Beach.

Phone: 0412982808 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 PLOUGH FOR SALE Grizzly S24 plough very good condition new bearings discs about 1/2 worn located near rocky. $17000 plus gst ono.

Phone 0429 948 198 HOUSE/LAND FOR SALE MOUNT PERRY ” Main Top” Best most usable 40 acres in town.

Good large level flats, great mountain veiws, hay shed, machinery shed, dam, House requires 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: 1300 091 773 UNIT FOR SALE 100sqm renovated open plan unit with a HUGE

HOUSE FOR SALE YEPPOON

Great investment BETTER

New 4 bedroom 2 bathroom brick home.

Aircon in main bedroom & Media room. Fans throughout.

Double garage elec roller doors. Security screens.

lifestyle! More info/

$449,000

balcony overlooking the Sunshine Coast’s best point break!! Austar, gym, 150m lagoon pool.

pics avail. Be Quick!

Phone: 0424 108 784

Phone: 0421 601 710

@HOME

FIFO

150th EDITION. 2012

family challenges

Being in a fly-in, fly-out or drive-in, drive-out relationship can be very challenging. You need to balance the needs of the financial rewards against the emotional costs to family. Is it worth it, you may wonder at times.

Shift Miner delves into the impact it has on family life - particularly the kids - and offers some practical tips on how to make it work.

Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

C

ATHERINE may be exhausted running after her three children, aged nine, six and three, but she is not one to complain. Her husband, Shane, works at a Central Queensland mine that is only a two-hour drive from their lifestyle block and has a dream roster.

“Shane is away five days and home for three, so we have it really easy,” she says. “But I actually find it much easier when he’s away because the kids and I have our routine.

“It’s almost like having another kid when he comes home, not to mention the amount of washing,” she laughs.

Although she’s joking, this is a common issue when it comes to one parent working away from the family.

Diana Sayer is the senior clinical leader at Relationships Australia.

She says when one partner is away for one to three weeks, it can have a significant impact on relationships: couple relationships, child/parent relationships and extended family and friends relationships.

“All relationships need to be given time and attention to be healthy,” she says.

This is particularly an issue for children, whose development benefits from secure attachment to both parents and a sense of security and stability in the home environment.

Ms Sayers says in all our relationships, we need to know that we are loved, valued and are important in a person’s life.

This is especially the case for children, as how we form and maintain relationships early in life will impact how successful we are in our relationships later in life.

“Research shows that FIFO is more suited to families with older children (teens) while there is greater negative impact on families with young children in FIFO situations,” she says.

“Long periods of separation can negatively impact on a young child forming a strong attachment with a parent.”

And the length of separation is relative to the child’s age. For example, one week in a toddler’s life is a far more significant length of time than in a teenager’s life.

However, helping children to understand their situation, their experience of the situation and getting the support they need to cope will positively impact how they cope with challenges in the future.

“Kids have different needs and cognitive ability to understand their situation at different ages.”

It’s not just the child who is impacted. FIFO work-

@HOME 150th EDITION. 2012

ers often miss out on children’s milestones and special family events, and this can be difficult for family members to accept.

Ms Sayers says it can lead to feelings of anger and resentment over time and the perception may be that ‘work is more important than I am’.

On the other hand, the stay-at-home parent has full responsibility for running of the home and looking after the family 24/7 while the FIFO worker is away.

She feels entitled to a break from responsibility when the FIFO worker returns home, and so dumps chores, responsibilities on her partner, such as looking after the kids or giving a list of things to fix.

“FIFO workers often work long hours and spend several hours travelling between work and home and need a break and time to relax socialise and have fun when at home,” Ms Sayer says.

In addition, they can have difficulty in achieving regular contact with family. This can be due to time differences if working interstate or overseas or working hours, and the kids are in bed at the end of a shift.

Remote locations with poor technology access or reception can all make it difficult.

“These competing needs can be a cause of conflict and resentment over time.”

Typical issues affecting families is a loss

Relocating kids without a court order?

Not unless your ex consents THE recent case of four girls returned to their father in Italy highlights the problems of moving your kids without the consent of the other parent or a court order.

The Hague Convention deals with international relocation and abduction and makes it clear that in all but a very few exceptional cases, children should be returned to the country they come from for any custody dispute where there is no consent from the other parent or the court. While relocation within Australia has different rules, there are similar problems and disputes.

In remote or regional locations, it can be difficult for separated parents to both stay in the local area. You may face arguments that the other parent needs to move away with the children either for work reasons, another relationship, or the cost of living in the regional centre. You may argue that moving the kids would make it much more difficult for you to spend time with your children, meaning you cannot spend as much time with them or it will cost you more in time and money to spend time with them.

of routine and consistency in parenting when the FIFO parent is at home.

It can become a case of the fun parent versus the disciplinarian parent.

“Sometimes the temptation to make up for lost time with kids results in leniency in parenting responsibility, for example, discipline, or overcompensation with gifts by FIFO parent.”

There are some positives, however.

“FIFO workers have a unique opportunity to be able to spend considerable amounts of time with their partner and kids when they are at home,” Ms Sayer says.

When they are at home they can get involved in school, sport and other activities that may not be possible for a stay at home parent.

“Some families manage a FIFO situation well, but it can require extra effort from family members to work well. There are pros and cons for both.”

For Catherine, it has been a challenge but her family unit have worked out a system so minimise the impact of Shane being away. She has a close network of friends and has her family close-by.

“The kids talk to their dad daily, and it really does help that he’s not away too long.

When he is home, let him chill for a day and then it’s all go,” she laughs.

Strategies for coping There are some strategies you can put into place to ease the burden of being a FIFO/DIDO family.

Strategies for coping:

there are online communities if you find it hard to get out. Otherwise, you can meet other parents through playgroups or schools.

• Have a routine in place for the children and ensure this remains stable during the absence and return of the FIFO parent e.g. same bedtimes and mealtimes.

• The stay-at-home parent should remember that it the FIFO parent is also facing challenges: being away from family, working long hours often in isolation etc.

• Agree on discipline strategies and stick to these during absence and presence.

• Both partners need to have some space when the FIFO parent returns - acknowledge there may be resentment on both sides, move on and then make sure sure you both enjoy your time together.

• Ensure the FIFO parent has regular contact with the children, and this needs to be daily for young children: phone calls, Skype, emails, Facebook and text messaging. You can read a bedtime story or help out with homework. Know what is going on and provide support.

• For the partner at home, it is important to have access to extended family or a support network. This can be easier said than done, but

• Spend quality time with the family.

It may be as simple as a picnic or a movie night in the lounge room. This gives everyone a uniting point that they can talk about when someone is away and helps maintain a good bond for everyone.

Source: Huggies Australia and Diana Sayer, Relationships Australia

It is advisable to get legal advice before a parent takes the law into their own hands and just moves the children.

Sometimes a parent will simply wake up to find their children have been moved.

The police can’t help in these instances, as they generally can’t bring the children back without a court order. You will require immediate assistance from a solicitor who can file a court application.

Delay can harm your chances of the children being returned.

A lot of bad advice comes from wellmeaning people, e.g:“You’re not allowed to move the kids away because your husband is entitled to see the children 50 per cent of the time” or “You can move because you have been sacked and have a job offer elsewhere”. Neither of these statements is necessarily true, but both could be true in an appropriate case.

There is a large range of things the court considers, and each case is unique.

Obtain legal advice from an experienced solicitor as early as possible in your dispute.

Supplied by: James Bailey Partner SR Wallace & Wallace

Page 23 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

stuff to the editor 150th EDITION. 2012

Stuff ER N I M T F I H S to the GAS CASH WS O L F Editor t source of

munity’s bes

ing com ensland min

The Que

Monday 5th

local news

E A Z I N M A G

iner.com

and ally Owned

News k: Alpha on trac e4 GVK » pag

hiftm d - www.s

Operate

Loc

e Deals shak off gloom

System or human failure?

(Runaway trucks a major safety concern, P8 SM149) If you don’t want accidents, don’t put monkeys in machines. Bill, Westonville It doesn’t matter how many hoops you want drivers to jump through or how many mind-numbing safety processes you put in place, because they only work if you do them properly. I have seen heaps of pre-safety not done, or done poorly, but it’s not shown in the paperwork. Aaron, Mackay.

If everyone is living in a climate of fear over costs, like it is on my site, corners will be cut and accidents will happen. I have been in mining for over 15 years and everytime there is a downturn the number of accidents seems to rise.

Anonymous. ...and more on bullying (Workplace bullying costs jobs, destroys lives P11 SM149) Okay, so the unions bullied a person out of a job, but you won’t say who or where it happened. Doesn’t sound like the truth to me. If someone wants to talk to the media they should put their name on it. If they won’t you shouldn’t publish it. Retired Miner

»

News lace Gas to rep e 5 pag diesel? »

News Warning on» page 8 runaways

News ships in Apprentice e 13 crisis » pag

ER CHAPVTER SE AND

shaken the days have sector. deals in past d resources TWO gas the Queenslan surrounding gloom from ng speculation t weeks, the With ongoi ts in recen to and projec is still plenty coal jobs shows there cts huge contra about. quarter stake be positive billion of a $1.9 d Curtis The sale Queenslan ers in the ne conbetween partn a $100 million pipeli t and n.

LNG projec on the horizo jobs more stunned s of QGC, tract mean p, owners the $1.9 bilBG Grou it will sell with news to ChiG project the market in the QCLN Corporation lion stake ore Oil nal Offsh gas from the na Natio additional as well as .

(CNOOC) supexports begin a previous facility once BG deal, and with years ago, Under this signed two of liquid ment er ply agree t provid be the larges Group will n to China. with 5 millio natural gas 20 y CNOOC LNG for of It will suppl ) annum (mtpa ed from the tonnes per in 2015 sourc ning lio. years begin l LNG portfo LNG Group’s globa ined with the 3.6 mtpa OC in 2010, This is comb with CNO LNG ment signed committed sale agree Group’s total making BG 8.6 mtpa.

Chapsales to China tive Sir Frank the chief execu BG Group excited about company was 6 man said the inued page cont ction. transa

ion 2012

149th Edit

November

h celebrates Moranbaure s page 17 » More pict

News to keep Greens vow » page 16 ed gates lock

books

AL INJURY PERSONPE EX RTS and All accidents y claims: Claims personal injur • Workers Injury

Sport h the Kick it wit page 21 legends » tters Money Ma ts Mackay rene 24 ease » pag

t Claims Accidents • Motor Vehicle Claims • Mining AccidenClaims ce • Public Liability ent Disability Insuran Perman t Claims • Total and Holiday Acciden at the • Boating and for consultations ay, by is available Thursd Darren Sekac Proserpine offices on and Whitsunday only. appointment

n Sekac* ) DarreInjuries (MAckAy *Personal d Specialist Law Accredite

2000au Call 4944 acamiet.com. www.m

Y MACKA

[Eds note: We would love to put the names of people we talk to in print, but as you would know many companies enforce bans on employees talking to media. For some people that would mean the loss of their livelihood by speaking out. But take it from us not everything we get told makes it to print. We have to be convinced it’s the truth and not some disgruntled miner with a score to settle.]

And finally some interesting suggestions for Luke. (Dear Frank, I have got a problem, but I don’t know if there is much you can do to help me ...P18 SM149) Hey Luke, with the value of hindsight I can tell you now that looks and size don’t matter (that much). It’s all in the confidence. Cam Plassen [Facebook] Where are the hot dogs? Wes Dawson [Facebook]

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

Hooning Damn, I am sick of this non-issue. I was at the police station the other day, getting a police clearance signed off for my work, and on the front counter was a “dob in a hoon” fridge magnet with a hotline number. I asked the Sergeant: “Where are the dob in a 13 km stretch of potholed shit highway magnets? Or the dob in a plumber holding down a four tonne bobcat with a $3 Super Cheap tie-down strap?” He looked at me and said grunt.

Why the big move to push hooning to the front-offocus on-road and traffic problems? Maybe because it takes the focus off other issues that are hard to fix, i.e. road conditions, fuel tax, rego costs, drugs in trucking and car theft.

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

Take it on your phone or camera and send it in

Got something to share?

Redmond’s Rants

n at Join the conversatio ftminer shi m/ .co ok bo ace www.f

Text to 0428 154 653 alex.graham@shiftminer.com

FROM THE EDITOR A BIG thanks this week to the many people who have contacted Shift Miner over workplace bullying. You have responded to recent articles with honesty and integrity and the belief that by standing up you can reduce the risks of someone else being bullied.

Ironically it’s our front page story this week will probably draw even more attention and thought from readers as physical danger is more apparent to people. But how many people does the industry damage each year through bullying, which one organisation has described as “rife” on Queensland mine sites.

At least four Central Queensland health professionals have told me that bullying leads to workers seeing staff at one single medical clinic every week - that’s on average 52 people per year, at one clinic.

That figure is staggering and must be addressed. But will it be? And why should we care?

As journalists you put up with a fair bit of criticism in your working life but you

are also in a position of helping people see why things matter.

The question I ask people who say they don’t get what the big deal about bullying is ‘what would you say if it was your son or daughter, or mum or dad being bullied?’ Would that make a difference? After a slight silence most people start to justify their belief with a statement like: “That would be different” or “they can handle themselves.”

Mmmmm, well, reality is no-one is immune from bullying and it robs the individual of a positive and productive work environment and it robs the employer of a valuable employee. It also robs the bully of their chance to be the person and the worker that they really want to be.

So, who’s business is bullying? Everyone’s business. Just because we can’t see the injuries being inflicted doesn’t mean its any different than other workplace safety issues.

Greg Sweetnam Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

The musings of a CQ miner...

What’s the story with double demerit point fines? If you are issued with 12 points then it’s 12 points you have. You can’t say three strikes and you’re out if the deal changes to 1.5 strikes and you’re out. Highway patrols are four-wheeled ATMs for the Police Department. At least crooked cops like Roger Dodger and Chook Fowler had the balls and gumption to rob outlaws. Now, that’s a copper I can respect. But who the hell is the guy who says to himself: “I’d like to be a highway patrol officer”?

What’s his problem? Did his application to tyre retread school get rejected? And why do they carry a gun? The postie motorbike fella has got far more probable cause to carry a side-arm. Bank tellers don’t wear a gun.

Page 24 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

I’ve seen some police officer on the tele waffling on about how highway patrols save lives. Bullshit. They are tax collectors in V8 Commodores. The unmarked patrol car is proof of that: every cop car should be driving up and down the road with lights and sirens blaring tends to make you lift your foot off the throttle.

The lukewarm do-gooders and fence sitters in the modified car scene shit me too. “We only take our cars to proper legal events at proper venues”... Blah, blah, blah.

A few Sundays ago we took Australia’s greatest muscle car out the back of Charters Towers and cranked 120 MPH out of it. There was next to no traffic and we let the big Falcon fly. I took my road bike as well and on a nice stretch of open road pulled a couple of retarded wheel

stands. Total hooning on public roads. Fair enough we were not cracking circles out the front of a preschool or overtaking on the footpath - we were just outback blowing off some steam in our machines. If I’d been caught, I would have lost my licence for 97 years and copped a $50,000 fine.

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...

OFF SHIFT 150th EDITION. 2012

Bait shop Banter Fishing YEPPOON THE winds have been shutting down off shore jollies of late, but Bob at Capricorn Sports & Hobby Centre reckons if and when you can make it out there are nice reef fish awaiting your bait.

Mick Law had a tight-lip grip on this good-looking cod during a recent Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club offshore outing. For further information see KBSFC on Facebook.

The Spanish mackerel have been cruising the bay, but they have pushed off and are now out the other side of the islands, according to Bob. There are flathead and a few salmon in the creeks, and crabs should be starting to work again around Corio and Coorooman.

Bob also reports a few mangrove jack have shown themselves in the Causeway.

Despite the barra being barred, the Fitzroy is still fishing well through the whole system for kingfish and the occasional grunter.

Fishing GLADSTONE The crabs are on the crawl, says Michael at Gladstone’s Compleat Angler.

The warmer weather has given the clawed ones back their mojo and Michael reckons quite a lot of good crabs from legal up to two kilo are being caught.

And while ‘the return of the crabs’ might be the front page star, Toolooa Bends is another good news story as the go-to spot

Tide Times

Nov/Dec

for good grunter and salmon.

Michael says we shouldn’t really be seeing salmon at this time of year, but continuing catches in the Calliope River are bucking the trend.

Auckland Creek and the Marina are firing for quality bream, and the Marina is also the hot spot for coral trout.

If you can get out to the reefs you are likely to score but as always these jaunts will be weather dependent.

But no need to fear, you need only make it as far as the harbour for a chance of hooking some Spanish mackerel.

Michael says there are mac aplenty and while they have no steadfast haunts, Seal Rocks, Busted Head and Rocky Island are good starting spots.

Fishing MACKAY Andrew from Tackle World Mackay is hoping their last couple of months of good weather conditions are on course to continue because he reckons there are miles of mackerel and tuna in the offering.

Well ‘miles’ might be more a nice turn of phrase but Andrew assures “there are plenty to go round and you don’t

MACKAY Gladstone

Time Ht

Time Ht

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

With Mike Griffin

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0105 3.21 0211 3.13 0323 3.16 0435 3.30 0536 3.51 0007 0.88 0050 0.80 0657 1.17 0808 1.36 0925 1.44 1041 1.40 1146 1.30 0626 3.71 0709 3.87 1337 3.85 1441 3.68 1547 3.56 1651 3.51 1748 3.48 1238 1.18 1321 1.08 2003 1.01 2109 1.08 2216 1.06 2317 0.98

1838 3.48 1921 3.47

0256 4.13 0412 4.12 0530 4.30 0024 1.02 0120 0.87 0206 0.76 0246 0.72 0853 1.38 1008 1.60 1131 1.64 0638 4.60 0733 4.91 0819 5.16 0858 5.33 1518 5.09 1631 4.89 1745 4.82 1246 1.52 1347 1.36 1436 1.24 1519 1.17 2209 1.21 2320 1.16

1848 4.81 1942 4.80 2027 4.75 2107 4.68

Mon 26 Tue 27 Wed 28 Thu 29 Fri 30 Sat 1 Sun 2 MACKAY Gladstone

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

Your weather forecast

Mon 19 Tue 20 Wed 20 Thu 22 Fri 23 Sat 24 Sun 25 Time Ht Time Ht

need to go far to get them”.

In fact you need go no further than off the harbour wall to take home some doggy, spotty or perhaps the odd Spanish mackerel.

Flat and Round Top are also fishing well for mac and while the big uns can be patchy, Andrew reckons there are good sizes in amongst them and that each week they are improving in size.

The creeks are playing host to some really nice grunter with Seaforth and St Helens currently putting on the most popular spread.

Serve them some slabs of ribbon, garfish or mullet and remember they are also partial to a nice big prawn.

Andrew reports there are also good quality mangrove jack around the local area and recommends targeting rock bars, bridges or any structures.

The recent rain has slowly been bringing the crabs into gear but the prawns are still a couple of storms short of firing.

Andrew reckons there are a few about now. They are really only enough for bait rather

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht 0126 0.75 0158 0.73 0227 0.74 0255 0.76 0322 0.82 0351 0.90 0421 1.02 0745 3.98 0819 4.05 0851 4.08 0921 4.07 0952 4.02 1025 3.95 1101 3.86 1400 1.01 1435 0.97 1508 0.95 1540 0.96 1613 1.00 1647 1.06 1722 1.14 2001 3.45 2036 3.41 2109 3.36 2140 3.29 2209 3.22 2240 3.14 2315 3.05 0321 0.71 0352 0.75 0421 0.81 0448 0.89 0514 1.00 0541 1.13 0012 4.00 0933 5.43 1006 5.47 1037 5.46 1106 5.40 1134 5.30 1203 5.18 0612 1.30 1556 1.14 1630 1.15 1703 1.20 1732 1.28 1802 1.38 1833 1.49 1236 5.03 2143 4.58 2216 4.46 2245 4.34 2313 4.22 2341 4.11

1908 1.60

Storm Season Hits

Week 1 - After two very wet years the normal storm season has returned. The first real tropical intrusion caused widespread storms with isolated severe storms (flash flooding with over 80-100mm rainfall inside an hour, destructive winds, severe lightning plus hail) from Darwin/Alice Springs/Broken Hill/Griffith/ Sydney/Brisbane/Theodore and Rockhampton from the 7-10th November. This affected mainly the southern half of the Coalfields.

Theodore reported a 135mm severe storm last Sat. Week. Other rainfall totals (mm) of note for 9-10th Nov: Yaamba 68, Bingegang 58, Yeppoon 55, Craigmore 53, Miriam Vale 50, Bauhinia Downs 49, Rockhampton South 47, Woodleigh 45, Upper Van Dyke 44, Taroom 43, Blackdown AL 40, Blackboy Ck. 39, Bedford Weir 35, Springsure 34, Cockatoo Ck. 33, Milton 30, Wandoan 23, Westwood 20, Kenbula 19, Orion 19, Alpha 17, Rolleston 17, Ducabrook 17, Emerald 15, Dysart 12. Before going to print the heat (36-38C) will probably trigger more isolated storms south of a line Gracemere/Blackwater on Sun 18th Nov. Then maximums will be around 33-34C for the early part of the week. An isolated afternoon storm about the higher areas after 4pm will be chance from Mon – Wed. Then on Thr. the heat returns with 36-38C and a possible late severe storm. Safest way to avoid lightning damage

is to pull the plug on the white goods each afternoon from 3-6pm.

Although tedious; could save a $2000 computer and $3000 TV. Haven’t seen this type of storm for at least 3 years. Then slightly cooler breeze early weekend.

Boaties! The “old salt says” – The heat is here so it’s out before sparrow’s and back before lunch. Mon: NNE/N 8-10 with 15-20 avo inshore. Late thundery? Tue: NE/ENE 10-15 up to 50 knots in a late severe storm south of Carmila. Wed: ENE/ESE 9-14 late squally thundery shower. Thr: ENE 8-12 tending ESE 10-16 late.

Avo. storms (gusts 35 knots) along the coast could reach Islands.

Fri: SE/ESE 15-20 a squally shower north of Stanage less in the south. Sat: ESE 19-14 hint of a shower. Sun: ESE 16-11 tending ENE 8-10 avo south of Cape Manifold.

Week 2 - The SOI sits around +2.5. Signs of the Monsoon are slowly developing off the Kimberley coast. The Queensland Trough (QT) is causing low pressures with more high temperatures. This means temperatures rise (35ish) over the Coalfields ahead of more storms late Tue. Then a cooler change Wed/Thr should bring some relief.

Marine Lovers! Tricky storms a problem. Mon: ENE/NE 8-10 – NNE 15-20 avo inshore. Tue: N/NNE 9-14 gusting 30-35 knots late storms. Wed-Fri: SE 15-20 gusting 28 south. Squally showers.

Sat/Sun: Winds tend to ease if the south-easterly arrives on time.

Page 25 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

OFF SHIFT 150th EDITION. 2012

CLASSIC REVIEW

BY JUSTIN CARLOS

Adam Sandler’s movies used to make me…Happy.

I WAS watching one of Adam Sandler’s new movies the other day, and all I could think was, “I can’t wait until this is over so I can watch Happy Gilmore.”

I’m not sure if that’s a testament to how good Happy Gilmore is or how bad the new movie was, but either way it presents a good opportunity for a classic movie review.

The film tells the story of a shorttempered hockey fan named Happy Gilmore (Sandler), who turns to golf after his grandmother’s home is repossessed by the bank.

Thanks to his unorthodox swing, Happy Gilmore has the uncanny ability to drive the ball a really long way.

After catching the eye of local golf pro Chubbs Peterson (Carl Weathers, aka Apollo Creed from the Rocky

movies), Happy makes it onto the pro tour in an effort to win enough money to buy back his grandmother’s house.

In order to do so he’ll have to keep his temper in check to avoid being kicked off the tour and beat his new found nemesis, Shooter McGavin.

If you’re a comedy fan and you haven’t seen Happy Gilmore you should stop reading this review immediately and set about obtaining yourself a copy.

The film has earned itself a place in the comedy hall of fame, and you’ll often hear people say, “I hate Adam Sandler movies…except for Happy Gilmore.”

If you’ve ever been to a charity golf day, the influence of the film on the viewing public is pretty apparent, as you’re always guaranteed to see at least one frustrated golfer attempt a ‘Happy Gilmore’.

e h t k n a Fr Tank’s

“Streakin” good love advice

Dear Frank, For the past few weeks my girlfriend’s best friend has been making some pretty clear advances towards me.

At first I thought I was imagining things, but as soon as we go out somewhere and my girlfriend’s not around her friend touches me constantly and asks me all sorts of personal questions.

I’m not at all interested, but I’m worried that if I tell my girlfriend it’ll ruin their friendship.

What should I do?

Tony - Rockhampton

In this situation, Tony, I think you should be trying to strengthen the aforementioned friendship.

If your girlfriend and this friend get close enough you’ve got a legitimate shot at getting them both into bed with you at the same time!

I can understand you may be somewhat nervous about the prospect of being with multiple partners, but it’s best to just dive in at the deep end.

I was lucky in that my first foray into ‘group activity’ arose accidentally after too much wine and an ill-fated game of Twister.

After that I got right into ‘orgy culture’, I bought silk robes, lotions, erotic candles and grew a mustache that would have put a 1970s private detective to shame.

Unfortunately, Father Time caught

Sensible Susan Tony, I see your predicament here and it sounds like a very delicate situation. I certainly see your concern about not wanting a friendship to be affected.

Perhaps the next time you’re out and your

up with me and I had to curtail my swinging ways.

I tore my bicep badly after lifting a hefty woman and placing her into a medieval sex cauldron, so I decided to retire from the scene and leave it to the younger crowd.

It’s not all fun and games, though, I can assure you of that.

A lot of men fantasise about being with two or more women at the same time, but fail to consider the logistical side of things.

Two women mean twice as much nagging, twice as much cuddling, and double the chance of getting into trouble.

Of course there are advantages on the flip side, for example, the dishes get done twice as fast and the cleaning takes half as long.

Now, if you decide that you’re happy enough with your girlfriend and just want to get rid of the friend altogether there’s a few things you can do.

Invite along a friend of yours to run interference for you.

This works particularly well if you have an extremely uncouth or obnoxious friend who’ll talk for hours about how unbelievable his bowel movement is after eating a three kilo steak at a country pub.

If your girlfriend’s mate manages to get past your interference, your final option is spilling the beans.

You should only do this when both women are extremely drunk. This will increase the likelihood of a physical altercation and hopefully result in one or more items of clothing being ripped off in the process.

Frank.

girlfriend’s friend does something that makes you uncomfortable you should tell her.

Make it perfectly clear that you’re not interested and she might stop with her advances.

If things persist, I think it’s best to mention it to your girlfriend.

It may affect their friendship in some way, but not mentioning it could impact upon your relationship if the friend decides to mention something to your girlfriend.

Susan

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

Page 26 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

SPORT

150th EDITION. 2012

Curragh Miners

the youth of Blackwater goes the spoils, with enough money raised in the game to completely refurbish the playground structure at the Rotary Park.

Sean Daly made special mention of NRL referee Matt Cecchien, who not only travelled in to referee the match but also donated his “standby” NRL grand final strip to the charity auction.

“Matt Cecchien was really good. You can tell he is a professional referee. He talked to the boys and put up with a bit of their crap.

He was a real bonus.”

“And I have to mention the sponsors like the CFMEU, Wesfarmers Curragh, L&L Adams, Ian Weigh Toyota, Curragh SBU, Konor Catering and all the other mining sponsors. There are too many to mention.”

1. Lyle , Shaylee and Kacey Booker 2. Delaney Window and Tarni Anderson 3. Georgia Willmann, Jenni Lancaster, Falyn Lancaster, Sally Scott, Bronte and Amber Lancaster 4. Tammy Dixon, Stevie-Lee Zeith, Breeana Weight and Celia Grundig 5. Georgia Watson, Katelyn Hayes and Kelly Magee

1

too quick for Panda THE Curragh Miners have broken their three-game hoodoo by beating the CFMEUsponsored BMA Miners in the “Panda Curtis” charity rugby league match.

There was only an eight-point difference between the two sides and captain coach for the previously undefeated CFMEU team Sean Daly says it was a great display of rugby league.

“Yes it was a tough game,” he says.

“Although it was only played for charity, there was more skill and fitness involved than I think you would see in one of the regular first-grade games in the local competition.”

“I think maybe in the end it was their youth that got them over the line.”

“They had nine players who were currently under 18, whereas we had one under 18 and the rest of us were between the ages of about 29 and 36.”

“Although Mark Window, who is 40, came out of retirement for the Curragh boys, he is actually one of just six players who have played in all three charity matches.”

While to the winners goes the glory, to

2

6. Blake Vesey, Reece Little, Josh Ingram and Wren Donohue

3 4

COMMUNITY CALENDAR 5

6

Sport

Event

Date

Venue

Cricket

Clermont v Springsure

24/11/12

Clermont

Cricket

Brothers v Magpies

24/11/12

Emerald

Cricket

Blackwater v Rolleston

24/11/12

Blackwater

Triathlon

Alpha Triathlon

25/11/12

Alpha

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

We support a range of local projects through the Kestrel Mine Community Development Fund and Clermont Community Development Fund.

The Kestrel Mine Community Development Fund is pleased to partner with three Emerald high schools to support an annual defensive driving course for their students since 2007.

This year 150 senior students from Marist College Emerald, Emerald State High School hool and Capella State High School undertook the week-long programme, which includess a range of theory and a practical driving session for students who have a learner’s licence. nce.

The programme is helping students develop their skills and knowledge so that they may be more confident and prepared in a variety of road situations.

Pictured: Year 12 Marist College Emerald student Kate Shaw and RACQ defensive driving instructor Craig Roth.

For more information about funding for your local project or organisation please contact Alissa Gordon on (07) 4988 3504 or alissa.gordon@riotinto.com

www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

Page 27 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

Page 28 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

Livin' the Dream Buy your dream vehicle with finance arranged by money now

KI JET S

BOATS

MOTO

RCYCL

ES

call now

1300 937 937

or SMS your name to 0448 345 345

www.moneynow.com.au/living # This

offer is available to all customers who are approved for finance and have their loan settled by 31st December 2012 as a result of responding to this advertisement.

*Coles Group & Myer Gift Card: Conditions and exclusions apply.

For full Terms of Use visit giftcards.com.au or phone 1300 304 990.

Page 29 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

MONEY MATTERS 150th EDITION. 2012

MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Tricks to drive down your home mortgage HOW can I use an investment property to drive down my home mortgage?

The answer is to have an investment property that has a positive cash flow: meaning the rental income when added to the tax breaks you receive from claiming expenses and depreciation outweigh the outgoings (loan interest, rates, body corporate fees, etc).

Okay then, so what do you do with the excess income from your investment property to pay down your mortgage?

Simple. Have a linked 100 per cent Mortgage Offset account.

What is a 100 per cent Mortgage Offset Account?

A mortgage offset account is a transactional account linked to your home loan with the same lender who holds your mortgage. This offsets against the loan principal, in turn reducing the amount of interest charged by the lender. The less interest there is to repay, the less time you have to spend as a mortgage holder. The interest charges on your home loan make

Page 30 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

up the primary portion of your minimum monthly repayment, and over the life of a 30 year loan you can be paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest, on top of repaying the hundreds of thousands of dollars you borrowed to buy your home.

How does it work?

You deposit all of your funds into the offset account, including wages, rent received, tax benefits and so forth.

For example, having a $300,000 loan with a steady balance of $30,000 in the offset account will reduce the interest payable as though the loan is $270,000 principal. There still the benefit of having the investment property, an asset increasing its capital growth.

Interest-only payments at 5.99 per cent on $300,000 = $1,497.50 monthly payments.

Interest-only payments at 5.99 per cent on $270,000 = $1,347.50 monthly payments, a saving of $150 a month. This equates to a saving of $73,324.08 interest on a 30 year loan or reducing the loan by 5.5 years.

Now imagine if you were to pay an additional $300 per month ($75 per week) as your investment property has a positive cash flow. The interest savings with your home mortgage would be $119,402, paying

off your home nine years earlier than the contractual term of 30 years.

Unlike a savings account whereby any interest earned has to be declared and increases your taxable income, it is not a requirement to declare to the ATO any interest saved against your mortgage by the use of an offset account.

Even further, using a credit card to pay your daily, weekly or monthly expenses will utilise the bank’s interest-free period, leaving the funds in the offset account longer. For this to work it’s best to have a direct debit set up with the bank using the funds in the offset account to pay the monthly balance owing on the credit card by the due date. If the credit card is with another bank ensure the transfer occurs at least 48 hours before payment is due to ensure it is received by the due date, otherwise interest will be charged.

Sounds simple? It is a powerful tool for mortgage reduction.

Michael Silver Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning)

Associate Credit Advisor with Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) Master Equity Mortgage Brokers Ph 1300 553 403

4 bedroom 4 ensuite built in 8 weeks GROUP 4

www.olyhomes.com.au

Page 31 - Shift Miner Magazine, 19th November 2012

I

House ANd lANd From $197,400*

Everything you need schools, shopping, health care and parks right on your doorstep.

4

LOT 102

2

• Floor Coverings • Kitchen Appliances • Air Conditioning

Act Now visit Blackwater Real Estate at 15 Mackenzie Street, Blackwater.

1300 338 964 blueridgeblackwater.com.au

*Price correct at the time of printing. Terms and conditions apply. Visit blueridgeblackwater.com.au for more details

FROM

• Floor Coverings • Kitchen Appliances • Air Conditioning

4

2

1

$405,500*

• Floor Coverings • Kitchen Appliances • Fencing • Ceiling Fans

2

$492,400*

• Alfresco • Ceiling Fans • Fencing

LOT 107

1

THE NOBLE VANTAGE HOLDINGS

COLE CONTEMPORARY VANTAGE HOLDINGS

LOT 103

2

FROM

1

$334,982*

• Alfresco • Ceiling Fans • Fencing

2

$468,072*

• Alfresco • Ceiling Fans • Fencing

LOT 218

1

• Floor Coverings • Kitchen Appliances • Air Conditioning

3

LOT 219

2

1

$409,400*

FROM

TANGALOOMA CONTEMPORARY VANTAGE HOLDINGS

2

FROM

• Floor Coverings • Kitchen Appliances • Air Conditioning

FROM

Now is your chance to build a dream home at Blue Ridge, Blackwater. Blue Ridge has a number of house land packages and land lots available, up to 1,003m2.

1

$197,400*

• Alfresco • Ceiling Fans • Fencing

The perfect place to call home

1

FROM

LOT 211

THE STUART HALLEY HOMES

JERSEY CLASSIC VANTAGE HOLDINGS

ULD 1 VANTAGE HOLDINGS

1

lANd From $141,500*

• Fencing • Floor coverings • Air Conditioning • Ceiling Fans • Kitchen Appliances