SM152_Shift Miner Magazine

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

Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com

Monday 17th December 152nd Edition 2012

M A G A Z I N E

CQ workers big shift More choose FIFO life

A NEW report into mine workers in the Bowen Basin has confirmed we prefer to travel there for work rather than live there.

The Bowen Basin population report compiled by Queensland Treasury using the latest available data shows the number of non resident (FIFO & DIDO) workers in the Bowen Basin has increased by a staggering 25 per cent.

According to the Department of Mines, the total workforce in mining in June this year was around 35,000 meaning at least one in two workers don’t live nearby to their worksite.

At the end of June more than 25,000 workers were commuting to the coal fields either by car, plane or bus, up nearly 5000 on 2011.

But even that is a very conservative estimate, with many workers “Off Shift� on the day the surveys were undertaken, and the actual figures could be higher.

With every second person choosing not to live in mining towns, such as Blackwater and Moranbah, the social fabric of these towns is being slowly unstitched.

Just last week the Blackwater Speedway Association said it would be holding an emergency meeting to assess its future, after a long-term president left town

Âť continued page 9

COUNT ME IN

Koala study reveals new lifestyle facts Âť Â Â Full story page 9

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

Greg ĂŠ

Carroll

/7", ĂŠ

/ "/",ĂŠ6 ĂŠ

/URY CLAIMS -1, É/* Ê

News Tough 2013 ahead Âť page 6 News Monster moves Âť page 11

Money Matters Shares or property? Âť page 23

/ 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 -

6 9

News Wandoan uncertainty Âť page 5

Sport NRL league boost Âť page 13

/ 9 ",-" /",-

"

News Innovate to save Âť page 4

*…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

CONTENTS

5

NEWS 4 Innovate or perish 6 Outlook gloomy

9

11 4 7

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

8 Santos chips in 12 Adani needs 9000

Can CountCan OnCount On 15 Stuff to the Editor

*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

20 22 23 24

Frank the Tank Weather & Tides Miner’s Trader 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, 17th December 2012

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

More bang for bucks needed - or bust QUEENSLAND mining companies must embrace automation if they are to survive leaner times, according to one of the state’s most respected industry leaders.

Xstrata Copper boss Steve de Kru-

ijff was one of five senior resource figures to paint a gloomy outlook for 2013 at the recent Queensland Resources Council’s State of the Sector Forum.

Commodity prices are down and the

Innovation holds the key to future profits.

Australian dollar is up, leaving mining companies to grapple with how to cut costs in a business hamstrung by high salaries.

“I think we have ignored technology a little bit over the past few years while we’ve had an easy ride . . . and we’re probably a little behind,” Mr de Kruijff told more than 900 mining executives and stakeholders.

“I know some companies have been focussing on it - probably Rio is one of those companies and we might be going ‘mmm, we don’t think it works’ but you don’t know it will work until you really put the work into it, and that takes time.

“I think those remote technologies will be the way of the future for mining and I think that’s one of the planks we really need to start focusing on in Queensland . . . if we want to remain competitive.”

That sentiment was backed up by Shell Australia’s Country chair Ann Pickard.

While the short-term outlook for the coal seam gas sector is certainly rosier than other Queensland commodities like coal and copper, Ms Pickard said new CSG players now faced tough competition overseas in America, Canada and East Africa.

“The next pipeline of projects is going to have to compete in a different way than the current seven projects under construction,” she said.

“That’s not to say it’s not possible, I would say it’s ours to lose.”

Ms Pickard said technology would be the saviour.

“Whether it’s here in Queensland, where we’re developing a new form of drilling rig that we’re piloting in Queensland and then taking to the United States, Canada and China, or whether it’s an offshore floating LNG these are the new technologies that will be central to helping Australia stay competitive.”

“I think those remote technologies will be the way of the future for mining and I think that’s one of the planks we really need to start focusing on in Queensland . . .”

Page 4 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

Small businesses getting piece of big pie FAST NEWS SMALL businesses in the Bowen Basin are finally getting a piece of the resource industry’s financial action, thanks to a local buying program.

Family-owned Newnham Constructions in Emerald is the latest to join a growing list of businesses registered with BMA’s Local Buying Program.

In March last year, the mining giant announced the program for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Emerald, Moranbah, Dysart and Blackwater to allow local firms to compete for lucrative goods and services contracts.

Business groups criticised it at the time for moving at a snail’s pace, although the company said it could take up to a year for the program to get off the ground.

Newnham Constructions, which learnt about the BMA Local Buying Program through a newspaper ad, gained a work order to complete a patio structure at BMA Saraji Mine.

“We decided to register to get more involved in the local community, to contribute towards the mining sector and expand our work opportunities,” says Rafaela Newnham.

There are now over 200 approved businesses in the program’s online supplier directory, and nearly 150 work instructions have been issued to suppliers across the four communities who have access to the program.

Narelle Pearse, chief executive of the Regional and Development Corporation in Mackay, says the program gives SMEs opportunities to quote for projects where they did not before.

A criticism from many Central Queens-

land businesses has been that locals are unable to get their foot in the door when it comes to contracts with large resource companies.

Ms Pearse told Shift Miner that it is almost impossible for these businesses to get the big contracts, but many SMEs would not want the burden of managing a major project or taking on the financial risk.

“Instead, businesses need to know where they stand in the supply chain and be realistic about what they can supply. You need to be able to be sustainable and manage the contract,” she says.

Ms Pearse says rather than going for the

big contracts, local businesses are better off going for the Tier 2 to Tier 4 contractors for projects.

Meanwhile, she says the BMA Local Buying Program has received positive feedback from Bowen Basin businesses.

“Businesses love it and say it is a lot easier doing business with BMA now. They also get paid within eight days of invoice.”

Businesses taking advantage of the program range from accommodation and catering through to construction work.

“A lot of other mining houses are showing an interest in the program,” she says.

THE terms of reference for the assessment of the shipping channel duplication in Gladstone Harbour have been finalised. An environmental impact statement can now be prepared and is likely to be released next year. The extra channel guards the port from being shut down if there is a significant incident in the existing channel, such as a collision or sinking. ..............................................................................

Dirty water fine AN underground coal gasification trial plant that released contaminated water in 2010 has been fined. Carbon Energy, which has a plant located between Dalby and Chinchilla, was fined $60,000 and its executive officer, Andrew Dash, was fined $2000 for breaching their environmental conditions and failing to notify the relevant government department. Carbon was also ordered to pay $40,000 in legal and investigative costs.

Rafaela Newnham of Newnham Constructions in Emerald is the latest business to get into the BMA Local Buying Program.

..............................................................................

Belvedere stalls

“Businesses love it and say it is a lot easier doing business with BMA now. They also get paid within eight days of invoice.”

Massive Wandoan project mothballed?

WITH the Surat Basin Rail delayed by at least a year the question is will Xstrata mothball its proposed mega mine in Wandoan or is it just a delay?

Shift Miner understands the joint venture between ATEC Rail Group, Xstrata Coal and Aurizon was unable to get finance for the 204km railway, which would link Wandoan and Banana.

Xstrata has told Shift Miner that it has not shelved the planned mine.

“Feasibility studies into our Wandoan Project continue, to enable an investment decision once relevant approvals have been completed and market conditions permit,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

In layman’s terms, this means getting the project off the ground depends on whether Xstrata can secure finance.

The Wandoan project has significant infrastructure requirements, not only construction of the railway track but also of port development.

Channel milestone

“Following the Queensland Land Court’s recommendation to award a mining lease for the project, we are working towards the final grant of this lease by the Queensland Government. We anticipate this in early 2013,” the statement read.

Several other mining projects, including Bandanna Energy’s, have relied on this project for their own.

The delay in the rail link comes only weeks after a $US68 million mega-merger between Glencore International and Xstrata was approved by shareholders.

The merger will be completed in January.

In August, analysts stated the $6billion Wandoan project would be in danger of collapsing because of falling coal prices and high costs.

If the mine goes ahead, the initial plan is to

develop an open cut drag-line mine capable of producing 30 million tonnes of coal a year.

That would be dwarfed by stage 2 of the project, which would take annual production to 100 million tonnes.

The coal in the deposit is so close to the surface that the strip ratio is just three to one, meaning for every bit of coal extracted, only three bits of dirt will need to be cleared.

In the initial phase of the mine, Xstrata will build a huge coal handling and preparation plant that can process nearly 6000 tonnes of coal an hour.

A 10,000 tonne train is expected to be loaded every two hours.

More than 3000 construction jobs will be created while the mine is being built and there will be 1800 permanent jobs during the initial stage.

“In layman’s terms, this means getting the project off the ground depends on whether Xstrata can secure finance.”

THE significant project status for the proposed $2billion Belvedere coal mine near Moura has been repealed. The Co-ordinator General repeals the status of a project for two reasons - the environmental impact statement is not going ahead or the proponent has not progressed an EIS adequately in the timeframe provided.

The Belvedere proposal, first made public in 2009, is for an underground longwall coking coal mine just seven kilometres north-east of Moura. Joint venture partners Vale and Aquila are believed to be close to finalising the value and terms of a buyout of the final 25 per cent of the project by Vale that it doesn’t currently own. ..............................................................................

Shipper shuts SKELTON Sherborne, the shipping company that promotes itself as the global heavy industry specialist, has been placed in the hands of liquidators. It’s the latest in a rollercoaster ride for the Brisbane-based company. Only days ago Deloitte was put in place to manage the company as receivers at the direction of HSBC. However, Brad Skelton says he and his staff felt the business could not keep trading while the finances were under the control of Deloitte.

SV Partners has now been appointed to wind up the freight company.

Page 5 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

Port staff move despite assurances IN ANOTHER run of not-so-good-news, it appears work has stalled on Xstrata’s port development just south of Rockhampton.

However, the mining company is continuing to trot out the same official line despite the fact that staff associated with the Balaclava Island Coal Export Terminal

(BICET) have either been made redundant or moved to other projects.

In a statement to Shift Miner Xstrata said it is still committed to the project, which would see a coal terminal built at the island near Port Alma.

“The Balaclava Island Coal Export Ter-

minal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is being prepared and will be submitted when there is a better understanding of the timelines for the various government assessments of ports,” the statement said.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to work with the Queensland Government in the months ahead as it prepares a comprehensive ports strategy for the Great Barrier Reef to address the issues raised by UNESCO in its recent report.”

UNESCO’s strongly worded report released in July requested the government halt any new port development outside long-established port areas, and that any development was to be carried out along international best practice.

The Queensland Government has released the Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy for public consultation and submissions closed on Friday, December 14.

Rumours have been circulating since August that Xstrata will delay its project because of UNESCO’s report.

However, Xstrata told Shift Miner previously it is confident BICET could go ahead

without compromising UNESCO’s recommendations into the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef.

The site for the proposed project is located on strategic port land adjacent to the long-established Port Alma.

Xstrata said its approach to it EIS has been to exceed standard requirements whenever possible, and it has used new survey techniques and technology.

The Fitzroy Basin Association released a report in July into the potential impacts of port development on the region.

It raised concerns over dredging, which would result in the direct removal of bottom habitat and its organisms, and would generate high turbidity, it stated.

It highlighted concerns over noise during construction and the generation of coal dust and its health impacts to wetland flora and fauna.

The report stated that lights generated from the ports and shipping could also severely impact on nesting and hatching turtles, and disturb other species, such as seabirds.

“Rumours have been circulating since August that Xstrata will delay its project because of UNESCO’s report.”

It’s to be a lean & mean 2013

MAKE do and mend - it sounds more like a thrifty housewife than a massive coal company, but that’s the outlook for the sector in 2013.

Mining giant BMA is the biggest employer in central Queensland, and its boss Stephen Dumble is not upbeat about the next 12 months.

He told the Queensland Resources Council’s State of the Sector forum recently the supply and demand picture had changed substantially over the past 18 months.

“As a consequence of that we are seeing prices come off extraordinarily rapidly. We’ve seen prices reduce by well over 50 per cent,” he said.

“We are going to be in this pretty difficult operating environment for a while.”

Mr Dumble talked about scaling costs back to what they were “pre-boom” in a bid to recover margins.

By its own count, the Queensland coal industry has already shed about 4000 mainly contractor jobs over the past six months.

Mr Dumble gave no indication there would be more cuts and, in fact, spoke of growth in the sector. “[There will be] growth but more borne out of full utilisation of existing assets . . . with a focus on labour productivity. . . rather than greenfield expansion.”

In other words, making do with the people and mines you already own - and no plans for big new purchases or expansions.

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 6 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

dwe Daryl Watson Engineering

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

New machine combines crushing and grinding The company says the innovative Vibrocone offers up to 30 per cent energy savings compared with existing crushing and grinding systems.

Crushing and grinding, or comminution to use the technical term, has traditionally required different machines and technology to carry out the initial crushing, followed by the grinding and milling phase.

Sandvik’s Vibrocone crusher produces a much finer mill feed allowing it to handle the first stages of grinding in a dry process.

“Crushers are typically 10 times more energy efficient than mills,” says Marcus Benn, Sandvik Mining Australia’s regional product line manager for mining crushers and screens.

“The Vibrocone’s ability to offload work from the downstream milling process offers energy savings of up to 30 per cent.

“It is the next generation of crushing technology, combining the best of conventional crushing and grinding principles to produce an unprecedented amount of finely crushed product.

“Product from the Vibrocone crusher opens the possibility for new eco-efficient comminution alternatives.

“For example, in existing comminution circuits with rod and/or ball milling stages, the Vibrocone crushers can replace the rod mills or act as pre-grinding units for the ball mills.”

Before being released Vibrocone crushers carried out over 10,000 hours of roundthe-clock commercial operations in copper, gold and iron ore mine sites to prove the technical and operational reliability of this new comminution technology.

The first Vibrocone to be released is the 400kW CO865 with a capacity of 200 to 300 tonnes per hour.

Its top feed size is 150mm with product sizes of 80 per cent passing 6mm to 8 mm and 50 per cent passing 2mm to 4mm.

Meanwhile, the company has announced eight jobs are to go in Brisbane as cuts are made because of the downturn in coal prices. A total of 73 staff have lost their jobs in

Sandvik has released a range of crushing and grinding machines.

“Crushers are typically 10 times more energy efficient than mills.”

Page 7 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

In small communities, Timber dealer big things happen THERE is often conflict when a big resource company comes to a small town.

This is not the case for the tiny township of Bajool, population 543, which lies 30km south of Rockhampton.

It is the gateway to Port Alma, and thanks to the much-criticised resources industry taking off, the town has become the centre of attention from big companies, including Santos GLNG. According to the locals, Santos GLNG has appeared regularly at meetings to update folk on the pipeline project and how it will impact the community.

Last week the company put on a free barbecue for the community as a thank you for the past year of pipes being stockpiled and the never-ending stream of trucks moving them out west.

The feeling of goodwill was obvious to Shift Miner who went for a free snag.

Social performance manager John Phalen presented a cheque for $20,000 to the Bajool School of Arts, for a series of solar panels.

“I know there are so many calls on large companies like yours for assistance for charity groups,” said secretary of the Bajool School of Arts Committee, Fay McCamley.

“These small rural communities and their residents would never ever be able to raise the amounts of dollars required to carry out some of the maintenance projects.

“It has only been 12 months since your pipe transfer project commenced, but through your staff a special link was established.

“They have been wonderful with their communication and the feedback they have brought to our ratepayer meetings.”

The hall, central to the Bajool and surrounding communities, was in danger of becoming run down but thanks to other resource company donations has been given a new lease on life.

“It has only been 12 months since your pipe transfer project commenced, but through your staff a special link was established.”

Santos social performance manager John Phalen and community relations adviser social performance Anna McLay present a much-needed to check to Bajool School of Arts Committee secretary Fay McCamley and chairman Guil North.

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 8 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

turns to coal

THE coal industry is a step closer to getting a new exporter with former timber merchant OGL Resources announcing it is has secured access to Brisbane Port to start shipping coal.

The announcement was made this week to the stock market and on the firm’s website.

OGL says its decision was made after it carried out a feasibility study to evaluate the economic benefit of the handling, stockpiling and ship loading of an initial 600,000 tonnes of coal, which would increase to to 1.5 million tonnes of coal per year from Brisbane.

Managing director and chief executive Allan Fidock says the feasibility study confirms the proposed development of the coal handling facility is economically and practical.

“This arrangement will further enable OGL to continue with its plan to re-open the Ebenezer Mine and produce a high

quality thermal coal product for the export market,” he says.

“The combination of low cost of production and high quality coal product from the Ebenezer Mine with access to transport and port has OGL Resources in an exceptional position to become Australia’s next export coal producer.”

OGL has an office in Milton and one in Malaysia and was in the timber processing industry before this evolved into upstream forestry developments.

However, the company has changed its principal operation to mining and exploration of coal and other minerals with a focus in Australia.

The Ebenezer Coal Mine, situated southeast of Rosewood, has been in care and maintenance mode since operations ceased at the end of 2002.

Locals have been opposing the re-opening of the mine as they claim it will negatively impact on the koala population.

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

Blinky Bill’s mates procreate at a mine AUSTRALIA’S longest-running koala ecology research programme, Koala Venture, is tracking successive generations of the marsupial at Clermont Mine in central Queensland.

Seven-month old Erin (pictured) is the third-generation of her family to be recorded in the research by Koala Venture, a partnership between The University of Queensland and Rio Tinto’s Clermont Region operations.

Erin’s grandmother, Toka, was first monitored at the site in 2008 and since then she has produced two known young, one of which is Erin’s mother, Ella. Now all three female koalas are being monitored.

One of the benefits of the longevity of the Koala Venture programme, now in its 24th year, is that the researchers are learning how many babies most female koalas produce throughout their entire life.

Dr Sean FitzGibbon is a wildlife researcher from the Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation within the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland.

“Very little is known about the lifetime reproductive output of wild koalas because most studies are much shorter than the koala’s 10 to 15 year life,” he says.

“Through the Koala Venture we’ve been able to examine this and other aspects of their ecology, such as how old females are when they first breed, if they need a year off between raising young and how environmental conditions like drought affect reproduction.”

University of Queensland wildlife researcher Dr FitzGibbon with seven-month-old Erin at rehabilitated land at Clermont.

Currently there are 10 koalas collared at Clermont Mine but the population is estimated to be in excess of 50 across the whole lease.

“Most female koalas give birth over the wet season during spring and summer, so

we can expect more koalas will be born at Clermont Mine over the next five months, expanding the family lineages that currently exist,” Dr FitzGibbon says.

Remarkably, there is little known about the breeding biology of wild koalas because they are solitary, nocturnal and spend much of their time resting and eating.

“What we do know has mostly been learnt from studies of koalas in captivity.

Females usually produce just one young at a time but on rare occasions they can have twins. The young are born after a 35-day pregnancy so they are quite undeveloped, emerging the size of a jelly bean, blind, and bald,” Dr FitzGibbon says.

Through the Koala Venture programme, Dr FitzGibbon and his team has discovered that female koalas in central Queensland have a lower reproductive rate due to the harsher climate and environmental conditions.

They can produce up to two young every three years, but that is about the maximum.

For many females, their reproductive output is lower than this and it declines with age.

Through a combination of research from the Koala Venture and from other studies of koalas in captivity, the researchers know that the young stay with their mothers for about 12 months after birth, sometimes up to two years, after which they are on their own.

“At Erin’s age, they start eating a bit of leaf as well as drinking their mother’s milk before slowly transitioning to a completely leaf diet and spending more time exploring the treetops around them,” Dr FitzGibbon says.

Once fully weaned and strong enough, Erin’s mother will encourage her to move on, especially if she is going to give birth to another young.

“Another interesting observation is that once the female young leave, they tend to take up residency within a close distance to their mother while the male young disperse more widely, which is good for genetic flow and for creating new lineages of koala families.”

“Currently there are 10 koalas collared at Clermont Mine but the population is estimated to be in excess of 50 individuals across the whole lease.”

FROM PAGE 1

A quarter of basin workers opt to travel Association spokesman Luke Kelly reflected that they just cannot find people to help out like they used to.

“It’s like every other club in town, we have the same small group of volunteers who keep things going, but when those people leave, there is a big hole and no one to fill it,” he said.

“Its just another sign of how the 12 hour shifts are killing these towns.

“I grew up in Blackwater and I can remember when we had every type of club, I can even remember we had our own bowling alley, but now it’s a tyre sales shop.

“But it is hard. I work five 12 hour shifts and on weekends you want to spend some time with the family.”

Wives and girlfriends of miners are now forming the backbone of many once male-dominated sports.

For the second year in a row, the Central Highland Rugby League is administered completely by women.

It also presents major challenges for local councils who have to provide infrastructure for a large non-rate paying population.

Across the whole Bowen Basin about 1-in-5 people who work in the region do not live there.

Not surprisingly there has also been an explosion in the number of worker accommodation villages (mining camps), with bed numbers increasing by nearly 5000 in the last 12 months.

Isaac Regional Council employed leading Australian demographer, Bernard Salt, to study the impact of FIFO workers on the region.

His findings showed struggling most with the impact of non-resident workers are health and allied services, policing and emergency services.

Winners have been airlines and transport companies that shuttle workers between major centres and worksites.

“It’s like every other club in town, we have the same small group of volunteers who keep things going, but when those people leave, there is a big hole and no one to fill it.”

Page 9 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

options to Dollars keep flowing Travel increase with demand LATEST project figures from QGC show that nearly 9000 people are working with the company on its Queensland Curtis LNG Project as the company’s investment passes $11 billion.

The natural gas company provided the details in its six-monthly report to Queensland’s Coordinator-General.

The company says $8.7 billion - or 76 per cent of the total $11.4 billion spend - had been invested with Australian firms.

Queensland firms had received 61 per cent, or $6.9 billion, of the money spent.

The report covers from April 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012.

QGC managing director Derek Fisher says more than 90,600 Australian businesses had registered their interest in doing business with QGC since 2010. More than 28,900 expressions of interest were made in the latest six months.

“QGC is delivering significant economic

and social benefits right across our project area in Queensland,” Mr Fisher says.

“We are investing more than $1 billion in Gladstone and about $530 million in the Western Downs region.

“In the six months to the end of September, QGC and our contractors hired more than 1500 people - or eight a day - and we have more to come.”

The latest data also showed 230 Indigenous people and 207 apprentices, graduates and trainees were working with QGC and its major contractors, while the number of training courses had increased to 13,900 from 4000 in the previous reporting period.

“Training is essential to ensure that our people work safely and efficiently as we continue construction and prepare for the operation of QCLNG from 2014,” Mr Fisher says.

Another key figure was investment in research and this was $148 million up to September 30, 2012.

“In the six months to the end of September, QGC and our contractors hired more than 1500 people - or eight a day - and we have more to come.”

MORE centres offering more options for fly-in, fly-out workers.That’s the view of the future from some of the aviation industry’s leading figures.

Speaking at the Major Projects Conference on FIFO were representatives of Queensland Airports, Alliance Airlines, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, Adagold Aviation and the Western Downs Council.

Queensland Airports managing director Dennis Chant says as flights increased in Brisbane, mine operators would look for other centres to fly from to cut travel time for staff.

On one recent Tuesday at Brisbane Airport it was taking more than 40 minutes to pass through the bag drop area and security before getting to the departure gate for one group of Rockhampton-bound travellers.

Mr Chant told delegates that the industry took little interest in scouting new airports to dispatch fly-in, fly-out workers because Brisbane normally served them well. However, with delays and extra workers flying across

Queensland services are set to change.

“The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have made their intentions clear they see opportunities in that space,” Mr Chant says.

“It’s about getting all sectors of industry together to say we can support a new service.”

BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance asset manager Stephen Dumble told the conference he favoured workers coming from wherever suited them.

“We are interested in extending the benefits of what we are doing as widely as we can,” Mr Dumble says.

“We see south-east Queensland as a whole, and in that regard, the providers who can give the best combination in service and skills will position themselves well.”

Meanwhile, the federal report into the impact on fly-in, fly-out workers is still several weeks away after a delay caused by competing workloads for the committee chaired by independent MP Tony Windsor.

“The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast have made their intentions clear they see opportunities in that space.”

Q&A Flying: Why do children experience pain Hope for Industrial Deafness in the ear when flying and what can be done?

Children under age of to nine are very levels Many people arethe exposed dangerous susceptible to middletheir ear working pathology, particularly of noise throughout and social Eustachian tube blockages which allows lives. This can catch up with you and result in a the middle ear cavity to depressurise during permanent hearing loss, or “industrial deafness”. changes of atmospheric pressure. When the AEustachian common complaint of sufferers is that they can tube is functioning properly it opens hear peopleto talking, but in can’t understand and closes changes pressure whilstwhat flying they are saying. and you get the popping sensation in your ears as you ascend and descend. For children Previously it was very hard to treat industrial with Eustachian tube blockages the middle ear deafness because putting a standard hearing cavity is not depressurising at the same rate as aid in the ear physically blocked the ear and the cabin and the ear drum is being sucked in prevented the use of the good hearing in the at extreme pressure which can cause severe low painpitched or evenareas. a perforation.

A new device called a Micro Open-fit hearing There are several things can be associated done aid alleviates all the usualthat problems both before and during flying that can assist

children withindustrial opening up the Eustachian tube with treating deafness.

Instead of and preventing Firstly, look for thethe blocking the eardiscomfort. these invisible devices leave warning signs that might suggest that there ear open allowing you to use your good hearing could be blockage and make preparations in the low pitched areas with the hearing aid before and during the flight. The most obvious helping out with speech sounds in the high warning sign is if your child has a cold, sinus pitched areas. blockages or any other respiratory symptoms.

If showing these signs then the first thing you can try both prior and during the flight is to use saline based nasal sinus sprays. These can wash away allergens sitting at the entrance of Eustachian tube which may be causing the swelling and subsequent blocking. Another strategy that can be used again both before and during the flight is to get your child to blow up balloons both with their mouth and their nose.

The pressure created by blowing the air can

be enough thesound, Eustachian tube open The result istoa force natural no excessive and allow depressurisation.

Further help can background noise, and no loud chewing or voice be achieved by chewing lollies or gum whilst echoes. ascending and descending as jaw movement If you, someone know suff ers from can alsoorunblock the you Eustachian tube. these symptoms phone Clarity Hearing For babies today and children that no areobligation too young to Solutions for a free do the above strategies then the best thing consultation. to do is to breast or bottle feed them whilst ascending and descending. Again the jaw movements and the sucking can assist with the depressurisation.

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

Grant Collins - Principal Audiologist/Managing Director Clarity Hearing Solutions B.Psych(Dist).,M.AudSt.,MAudSA (CCP)., MAAAPP.

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

Page 10 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

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

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

News

152nd EDITION. 2012

Monster machines on the move IT IS not often that you see a dragline and electric rope shovel making a slow and steady shuffle from one area to another.

BMA has undertaken a massive logistical exercise moving some of the largest pieces of mining equipment from the southern to the northern pits of the Peak Downs Mine.

The dragline and electric rope shovel has just ended a four-day journey, crossing the Peak Downs Mine access road and the rail line associated with the Oakey Creek Rail Corridor.

A safe public viewing area was set up while the mining equipment moved. Visitors to the area were required to follow instructions of traffic controllers who directed all public vehicles to the appropriate viewing and parking area.

BMA head of production - mining, Brandon Craig, says the equipment relocations were a unique event and a major logistical and engineering exercise for the business to manage.

He says the equipment relocations were scheduled to coincide with a planned Aurizon maintenance shutdown period to ensure minimal disruption to rail services.

The move, which included months of

planning, required the temporary closure of the Peak Downs Mine access road.

“BMA built a temporary public detour road to ensure minimal disruption to users of the Peak Downs Mine access road,” he says.

“Local residents using the access road were asked to exercise extra care and minimise the need to travel in the area for safety reasons.”

The dragline weighs 3400 tonnes and walks at a speed of 120 metres per hour.

It took four days for this baby to shuffle from the southern to the northern pits of the Peak Downs Mine.

Heads in the sand over airstrip BARCALDINE Regional Council was one of the biggest losers in the recent Royalties for Regions program, missing out on muchneeded funding for an airport upgrade.

The council was relying on the program to match $10 million donated by GVK Hancock, which will be using the airport as a main hub for fly-in, fly-out workers for its Alpha Mine Project.

“We are really sitting on our hands at the moment,” Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor Rob Chandler told Shift Miner.

He says the government and mining companies have their heads in the sand.

“It will only be when the state government and mining companies eventually wake up and see they need to start building infrastructure - like roads, sewerage, water and

airports - that we will see something happen.”

Campbell Newman’s government has described the Royalties for Regions program as an initiative that invests in community infrastructure, roads and floodplain security projects that benefit those who live, work and invest in our resource regions.

Cr Chandler says there is not a lot the council can do without the funding for their airport upgrade.

“The only problem is that when the next round of funding comes up, we will have the next lot of mines taking off.”

GVK Hancock will be using Alpha Airport rather than building its own airstrip for its mine in the Galilee Basin.

The council was pushing for the strip to be

1700 metres long and 45 metres wide, which would handle all current demand including 72-seater aircraft. It is currently under 1300 metres long.

“The $10 million from (GVK) Hancock will build a pavement that will suit a smaller aircraft,” Cr Chandler says.

The council did not miss out entirely on funding, and received funds for flood stations at Alpha and Jericho.

Six regional councils - Maranoa, Western Downs, Banana, Central Highlands, Isaac and Whitsunday - have been shortlisted under the initiative to provide full business cases for 20 projects.

Business cases are due on December 17, 2012, with a final go-ahead for the projects early in the New Year.

Billionaire with wobbles

THE fire sale continues for mining magnate Nathan Tinkler.

His company Boardwalk Investments is to sell its office property in Brisbane.

The four-level commercial space at 366 Queen Street was bought about two years ago for $7.7 million but is thought to be worth about $5 million now.

Mr Tinkler’s companies, Buildev Group and Ocean Street Holdings, have also recently had to reach a legal settlement with listed property group Mirvac after failing to pay an agreed price for a Newcastle industrial site.

Receivers have also taken possession of his private jet and helicopter while racing officials have been checking horses have been getting fed properly at Patinack Farm stables, which he owns.

Receiver Taylor Woodings has confirmed to media that Mr Tinkler’s Dassault Falcon 900C jet has been impounded in Singapore and his Agusta A109S helicopter in Brisbane.

Taylor Woodings was appointed by the creditor GE Commercial Australasia on November 23 as receivers of TGHA Aviation, a company owned by Mr Tinkler.

The jet is valued at up to $40 million and is the same model as that used by Russian President, Vladimir Putin. The helicopter is valued at a mere $7 million.

Mr Tinkler and his staff have made no comments about the latest financial wobbles.

The mining magnate, who entered the industry as an apprentice electrician, owns a 19.4 per cent stake in Whitehaven Coal which owns a 70 per cent stake in the Dingo Project in the Bowen Basin.

Creditors have moved on Mr Tinkler’s companies as the value of his Whitehaven stake has dropped below the level of his forecast debt.

“The jet is valued at up to $40 million and is the same model as that used

by Russian President, Vladimir Putin.”

Page 11 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

SHIFT

MINER ladder

All the jobs torn out?

Don’t worry they are also available at www.shiftminer.com/jobs

GET WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

New Adani mine promises 9000 jobs

THE INDIAN mining behemoth about to set up shop in the Galilee Basin says it will create 9000 jobs and promises to employ and train locals, Queenslanders and Australians.

Adani Mining has announced it has completed its exploration at Carmichael Mine in a record nine months, and found it has the single largest coal tenement in the world with 10 billion tonnes of reserves.

The exploration was the single largest and most comprehensive coal mining exploration conducted in Australia.

The Adani Group says it is now ready to gear up with its $10 billion Carmichael Mine project, which will include the construction of a world-class mine, rail and port infrastructure.

The company says the basic engineering for its proposed 400km railway line connecting the Carmichael Mine to the Abbot Point port’s coal terminal has been completed and it has obtained full access from landholders for the project.

“We have recently submitted a statement to state and federal authorities about the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of its proposed mine and rail projects, including its commitment to protect the environment,” said chairman of the Adani Group, Gautum Adani.

Meanwhile, Queensland company Sinclair Knight Merz has signed a major deal for to supply its engineering services to Adani.

The company has been commissioned to provide engineering services for the devel-

“The exploration was the single largest and most comprehensive coal mining exploration conducted in Australia.”

generated at BeQRious.com

Page 12 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

opment of the Abbot Point port expansion.

Mr Adani praised the Queensland government for it support, saying it enabled the exploration to be completed in record time.

“There has been a 50 per cent jump in local employment by us,” Mr Adani says.

“We are committed to our project in Australia, which is a joint collaboration with top Australian consultants, and is expected to create up to 5000 jobs during construction and 4000 jobs once we begin operations.”

The Adani Group has already invested $3 billion in cash in its integrated Australian projects and expected to invest $7 billion more over the next few years.

The group is operating Abbot Point coal terminal in Queensland, which it acquired in 2011, and is planning to increase its annual capacity to 120 million tonnes per year from current 50 million tonnes.

The coal from the Carmichael mine will be transported via the 400km railway line to Abbot Point for exports to its power plants in India.

The Carmichael EIS is now open for public comment with submissions closing on February 11.

SPORT

152nd EDITION. 2012

Eagles want Moranbah Miners you involved stormy front row THE Emerald Eagles Soccer club will look to broaden its supporter and sponsor base in 2013 when it enters its second year in the CQ premier league football competition.

This year the Emerald Eagles took the bold step of joining the regions premier soccer competition, meaning it played teams in Rockhampton and Gladstone on a weekly basis.

Despite the travel and logistical challenges of the competition, the Eagles acquitted themselves well, finishing around the middle of the table.

The club hasn’t ruled out a name change and says it wants to reach out to the soccer community across the whole Bowen Basin rather than just those based in Emerald.

Outgoing media spokesperson for the club James Barley said the key to survival is having a broad supporter and sponsor base and strong juniors.

“We are looking to re advertise the club under the Emerald Eagles Banner,” he said.

“Our team includes players from across

the Bowen Basin, including places like Blackwater, and we want to open the club up to soccer supporters from those towns as well.”

“It’s unlikely that there will be a name change, but we want to make people aware that the Eagles are a soccer club for anyone who follows the game on the Central Highlands.”

“If we have more followers from across the Bowen Basin, then we can broaden our sponsorship base, rather than just depending on our Emerald-based sponsors.”

The Eagles have started training already and have about six new players on their roster.

On top of that they are expecting some of the U16s who made representative teams last year will join their reserves squad.

The 2012 coach, John Salogni, will also step down to make way for new coach and former player Jason Cannons.

The Eagles are also looking for committee members to help with the 2013 season.

Interested people can contact the club via their website www.emeraldeagles.com.au

The Moranbah Miners rugby league side has struck recruitment gold this month, confirming a number of outstanding signings for the 2013 season.

Heading the list is the confirmation that Jaiman Lowe will join the miners and move to Moranbah in 2013.

Just weeks ago Jaiman finished his NRL playing career with a Grand Final win with the Melbourne Storm.

His decision to relocate his family from Melbourne to Moranbah isn’t something that happened overnight, according to outgoing club president Marco Peters “We have been working on him for over two years, and now that he has retired from the NRL after winning the Grand Final with the Storm, he has finally agreed,” Marco said.

“He was at the Cowboys, so he knows north

Queensland, and we have teed him up with a job, so he and his family can move up here.”

“He is going to add some real size to the the front row, which is an area we got beat in the Grand Final.”

But the good news doesn’t stop there.

The Miners have also confirmed they have signed Neil Budworth, who just a month ago was playing hooker for Wales in the four nations tournament in the UK. Outstanding Mackay Cutters backrower Ben Cole is also moving across to the Miners, and there iare even rumours that football journeyman Clinton Schikofsky could be coaxed out of retirement.

There are also changes at the administration level, with Marco Peters stepping down as president to be replaced by Steven Williamson, while former player Josh Hannay will be coaching.

New horizons: NRL grandfinal-winning front-rower Jaiman Lowe to add strength to the Moranbah Miners in 2013.

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

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

Rio Tinto’s Clermont Community Development Fund has partnered with th h the Clermont Community Business Group since 2009.

The Group aims to build long term relationships that will help improve y. y. infrastructure and lifestyle for a healthy and diverse Clermont community.

In 2012, Rio Tinto’s Clermont Community Development Fund committed to providing a further three years of support to build the organisation’s operational capacity, programmes and staffing.

Pictured left to right: Clermont Community Business Group’s Paul Breckon, Rio Tinto Clermont Region’s Travis Bates and Dawid Pretorius, and Clermont Community Business Group’s Janine Williams and Tony Upton.

For more information about funding for your local project or organisation please contact: Clermont Region – Travis Bates on 4988 3503 or travis.bates@riotinto.com Kestrel Mine – Samantha Faint on 4951 6437 or samantha.faint@riotinto.com Hail Creek Mine – Marie Cameron on 4951 6437 or marie.cameron@riotinto.com

www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

Page 13 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

around town 152nd EDITION. 2012

MINING BOOM NOT OVER

(L-R) Cr Neil Fisher, Michael Grey - Bandanna Energy

(L-R) Cr Ellen Smith, Cr Rose Swaddling, Doug Moore - One Steel, Michael Landry

(L-R) Jannis Frost - CCIQ Skills, Helen Quaiffe - DSDIP

Capricorn Enterprise industry conference draws a crowd

(L-R) Adam Brown - Multicultural Development Association, Kristy Gear - Manpower, Nicole Kelly Manpower, Sheller Peter - Manpower

(L-R) Michelle Hanrhan - FRR Coast Catchments, Shane McCormick, CQG Consulting, Carmen Gordon, CQG Consulting

(L-R) Robert McRuview - Arrow Energy, Greg Newman - Prysimina Group

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 14 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

Join the conversation at er www.facebook.com/shiftmin

stuff to the editor 152nd EDITION. 2012

Stuff to the Editor Feet on ground the true test ( There is still confidence in coal: GVK P3 SM151)

ER N I M T F I H S LE l news

rce of loca

ity’s best sou

ing commun

land min The Queens

.shif rated - www

tminer.com

Monday 3rd

December

E A Z I N M A G

ATT UNIONS LBSafewtyiddienspsute BECHTCHERISTMAS CAPERS and Ope lly Owned

Loca

g three giant buildin construction has been A GLOBAL Curtis Island as many plants on LNG gas fifth time in ns. fire for the safety concer under union time over alleged took to Gladers months, this g of union memb el’s sackin Last week, Becht t to protes us day. rs the previo stone’s streets been G site worke , the men had three QCLN to the union rns - an allega According er safety conce manag raising l for genera fired el Gladstone outrageous. tion Becht sed as say has dismis ing to us to Kevin Berg tely appall � he “That is absolu over safety issues, were fired that they . e on the told Shift Miner safety representativ he was Health and , told media Joe Munro rd safeQCLNG site, to put forwa that. his colleagues for doing just chosen by and was fired of accity concerns, a number was there was He says the final straw ntally months and dents over er was accide when a hamm last week r’s head. worke voted a dropped on and the boys hing a meeting until somet “We had huts crib in the . that we sit he told media about it,� of work due ge was done stoppa d on a was a safe“We decide that there able belief to a reason nts Mr ty hazard.� safety incide says the many, Mr Berg ned over igated to happe Munro referr one was invest s and each many month ed. and rectifi 12 ed, dealt with inued page

ion 2012

151st Edit

News over Local angste 4 dust Âť pag

News und Coal to rebo Âť page 5

News downsize Acland to Âť page 6 News nds Hitachi spe9 up Âť page News a Shifts take 13 e toll Âť pag

Curragh l goes globa Âť

More pictures

tters Money Ma benefits ge Enjoy frin Âť page 23 page 14

Âť cont

Well I don’t know what the plans are for the mines around Alpha, but there are a lot fewer people around town in high vis mining gear.

David, Alpha I don’t have any doubt that there will be coal mined at Alpha. The real question is who is going to be mining it? For all the talk, I haven’t seen (or know of ) one business west of Emerald that has got any work at any of the proposed Galilee coal mines. Gerald, Springsure Brisbane airport unbelieveable? (FIFO options set to increase with demand P5 SM151) I would love to be able to go to another airport.

I commute out of the south east corner of Queensland every week and getting onto the flight is a nightmare. The train service to Brisbane airport is an embarrassment, so I have to get my wife to drive me out. The lines for check-in and security just seem to be getting longer. I spend more time waiting to travel than I do travelling.

But what are you going to do.? Brisbane is the nearest airport. Sam, Nerangba Another airport? What is the point? You can only fly from where you live, and most people want to live in the south-east Corner. Des, Chermside Solutions to bullying?

Workplace bullying should be discussed at each shift change-over the same way we talk about safety and other matters Anonymous Roster no good - them mining not for you?

I had to reply regarding the shift work survey.

If people are not happy with their roster or shift work, then surely they should consider they may not be suitable for this industry.

INJURY PERSONAL EXPERTS and All accidents claims: personal injury s 7ORKERS )NJURY #LAIMS

NT #LAIMS !CCIDENTS s -OTOR 6EHICLE #LAIMS s -INING !CCIDE CE #LAIMS s 0UBLIC ,IABILITY ANENT $ISABILITY )NSURAN s 4OTAL AND 0ERMOLIDAY !CCIDENT #LAIMS E s "OATING AND ( NSULTATIONS AT TH BY URSDAY

AVAILABLE FOR CO $ARREN 3EKAC IS 0ROSERPINE OFlCES ON 4H 7HITSUNDAY ANDLY APPOINTMENT ON *

Darren Sekac

2000u Call 4944 acamiet.com.a www.m

Y MACKA

Yes, shift work does play up with your health and wellbeing; however I think the point needs to be made that nobody is forced to work in the mining industry — everybody chooses it! This is generally because the money (gained because of longer hours with overtime built in) and leisure time (gained by working in solid blocks without a break) are the reasons for that choice.

They are all free to go back to a day job and enjoy the “better� roster with fewer hours if they wish. Everyone who joins this industry knows full well the roster and hour to be worked when you sign up with an employer,if it does not suit then they do not have to take that job.

Also the employer has a certain amount of right to do what they feel is best for their company (pretty much standard practice in the business world) as long as it does not breach workplace health and safety laws and protocols.

I joined the industry after working 70-80 hrs every single week for about two thirds of the income and half the lifestyle possibilities and am glad every day that I get a holiday every second week while still being paid.

For me that makes up for the shift work, a pretty good balance I reckon.

Cheers, Dean, Moura PS if some people are going to work that stressed then they could possibly be considered a hazard to their workmates......?

Got something to share?

Send us your text messages or phone photos to 0409 471 014 Or email to alex.graham@shiftminer.com

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

Take it on your phone or camera and send it in

Text to 0409 471 014 alex.graham@shiftminer.com

FROM THE EDITOR IT’S fitting the front page of the last edition of the year carries an article on our workers and in particular those that prefer to travel long distances from their home to the worksite.

Despite the continuing strength of the Aussie dollar and the dip in coal prices that has sparked uncertainty grabbing recent headlines it is the fly-in, fly-out workforce that has created the most news this year.

Even the months long probe into the phenomena headed by independent federal MP Tony Windsor was not without controversy as its findings have been delayed till next year.

Some resource towns also felt Mr Windsor and his band of travelling senators should have also spent more time in their communities finding out first hand what was going on.

Still, early 2013 is expected to bring the federal report into FIFO and DIDO and a raft of ways to better manage the transient workforce for the good of the workers and their families, the communities they use while working and the many services they rely on.

Insights have been taken from workers, unions, companies, communities and even the Canadian Mounties over how they police mining communities.

The issues surrounding FIFO and drive-in, drive-out must be addressed effectively if the mega projects that Queensland is inching closer to are to be delivered. Adani alone wants 9000 workers for its Carmichael project.

Next year Moranbah is expected to have more FIFO workers staying in dongas than full time ratepayers.

The year ends with a different outlook than when it began but the industry still has a bright future, even if 2013 has a subdued outlook.

With the break ahead Shift Miner wishes all a safe and rejuvenating Christmas-New Year filled with family, friends and safety. We are excited about 2013 and look forward to again providing you with all the industry news and views that matter.

Greg Sweetnam Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

Redmond’s Rants

The musings of a CQ miner...

The Bush Mechanic’s Curse

And the shitbox truck’s water pump is pourin’ out like today’s its last day.

Gor darn me, Roman...

This bastard switch’s got two wires And the fella send me a three-wire.

I’d love to fit on another (Or throw it over my shoulder) But the sleepy store man Forgot the bleedin’ solder.

Christ, the whinging boss wants a flippin’ jump start While he’s on his phone Smokin’ his ninth dart.

He needs a kickstart right where he farts.

The bloody apprentice is playin’ on Facebook tryin’ to get laid.

Christ, that young bull’s lucky to get paid.

The old grader won’t stop.

And the friggin’ dozer won’t go.

The rusty water cart won’t spray.

The bloody radiator’s pissin’ oil And the steering pump is full o’ grease.

The Brain’s Trust is at a 9 o’clock meetin’

(or The Outback Busted Arse Show)

It’s the only time I get some peace.

Me boily maker can’t weld - but can damn well fight, So I can shove me broken handrail right up me clacker.

It’s damn 44 degrees in the scarce shade Tomorrow I’ll be swampin’ round in four inches of mud the friggin’ storm’s made.

I’ve got to fix a hose that the digger driver broke, The lazy bonehead was meant to help, but stood back and picked his bent nose.

One day I will splinter, and into the boss’ office roar:

“Christ, man, spend some dough on this busted arse gear, I got more chance of dating Taylor Swift than that bloody grader lasting a whole shift!�

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...

Page 15 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

@HOME 152nd EDITION. 2012

Christmas, a time of goodwill to all mankind, cheerfulness and family feasting ...

DON’T be fooled!

This is a time fraught with pitfalls, and lurking dangers are around every corner.

To be aware is to be prepared. Arm yourself with the following arsenal and be always on guard. Shift Miner gently navigates you through this Yuletide minefield.

The The12 12hazards hazards ofChristmas Christmas of Office parties

Decoration overdrive

Code Red: your boss is not your friend. No matter how many bonding beverages or D and Ms you have shared there is no off for the boss switch. Their recall can be fatal while yours will most likely be flawed. Under no conditions should you ‘just be yourself’.

Perhaps the predominance of tinsel and sparkly, spangly things sends people into a seasonal trance; otherwise rational human beings seem to morph into deranged decorating demons at this time of year. No amount of money, electricity or physical exertion must be spared in the pursuit of tem-

Page 16 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

porary bling and flashing light bliss.

Fight your primal instincts and the ‘it is all for the kiddies’ excuses, and remember that more equals just more crap to take down.

Secret Santa The Rules: workplace secret Santas with sexual overtones never fly.

@HOME 152nd EDITION. 2012

Fake poos are always funny. Do not exceed the cost limit. It is never worth it. You spend a bundle on Denise in accounts but meanwhile she is eying off the IT gimp’s five-buck-chuck margarita mix.

Christmas cards Effort high. Reward low. Thinking of penning a family circular? Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking people are really interested in what you and your children have achieved during the year. Unless you are going to dish up the dirt on your eldest getting busted in a strip club sting, only the stalkers give a stuff.

Spirit of forgiveness Before you forgive your best mate for making a move on your missus, make sure it really is the spirit of Christmas talking and not just the spirit of Jim Beam. Peace among men is an admirable objective but if your ‘love ya like a brother’ inner glow is going to vaporise with the arrival of a hellfire hangover opt for keeping it cool with a non-committal smile and nod.

Online shopping

Christmas gift list

Family togetherness

Resist the temptation to embrace what your eyes are telling your brain. Online shopping should only be undertaken when emotionally stable and with a sober, cynical eye. Items are generally never as large or as grand as you imagine. Religiously plot out dimensions and buyer beware if they are not provided.

Unless you can be assured you are going to receive a big ticket item in return, Christmas is no time for generosity. Treat your Christmas list like a feral animal that needs be culled for the sake other lifeforms. Not every johnny-come-lately deserves to sip from your Christmas cup.

Reckless gift giving is not kind; it only fuels resentment as your third-tier friends feel humiliated for failing to reciprocate.

Again think quality and quantity control.

Lines need to be drawn in the sand. It is okay to snub your touchy feely uncle and his ‘Jesus is the reason for the season’ dayglo t-shirt; he is not cool. Nursing homes have a range of fun festive activities - not to mention great food - so no need to roll out Grandma for the day. The more the merrier is only a truism for recipients of successful lobotomies.

Christmas Day cookery

Overindulgence

Think quality and quantity control. Turkeys are totally overrated: dry, fairly tasteless and three quarters useless. Don’t kid yourself that you are going to capitalise on leftovers with magic re-hash meals to last into the new year. You will not but you what you will have is a heaving carcase congealing in the fridge to remind you of your failure.

While it is hard to cop that gluttony holds a place in the seven deadly sins, there can be some drawbacks to feeding your face until your tracky dacks feel like a latter-day corset. If you are trying to pick up a nonrelation ring-in, this additional bulge will not help your cause as your ability to lithely pounce on your prey will be somewhat hampered. Drinking yourself into annihilation to dull the pain is also sadly a nonwinner. You only run the risk of telling your brother-in-law what a lousy, devo love-rat you really think he is and that he looks like a dumb, stupid twat-head to boot. Instantly gratifying but a risky long-term stance.

Letters to Santa Promise low and deliver high. Or at least keep the bar to a manageable height from the get go. There are only so many years where you can bag out Santa to your kids for being a miserable bastard. A packet of jelly crystals or a tube of condensed milk make marvellous, memorable gifts.

Christmas baking/craft Try and limit your ambitions to projects that can be completed before Christmas.

Can you really complete half a dozen crocheted loo roll holders in time for the big day? Bake considerately. Everyone loves a rum ball or pudding laced with loads of grog. If your brandy cream or egg nog don’t ratchet up the breathalyser, you are just being selfish.

Getaway from it all, experience an Aspen Park where there is

2146

Victoria Albury/Wodonga - Boathaven Holiday Park Geelong - Geelong Riverview Tourist Park Mildura - Golden River Holiday Park Echuca/Moama - Yarraby Holiday Park Melbourne - Ashley Gardens BIG4 Holiday Village South Australia Port Augusta - Port Augusta BIG4 Holiday Park Roxby Downs - Myall Grove Holiday Park

1800 352 982 1800 336 225 1800 621 262 1800 222 052 1800 061 444 1800 833 444 1800 356 103

New South Wales Echuca/Moama - A Shady River Holiday Park Echuca/Moama - Maiden’s Inn Holiday Park Echuca/Moama - Magic Murray Houseboats Eden - Twofold Bay Beach Resort Forster/Tuncurry - Wallamba River Holiday Park Queensland Airlie Beach - Island Gateway Holiday Park

1800 674 239 1800 356 801 1800 356 483 1800 631 006 1800 268 176 1800 466 528

Hot deals available visit aspenparks.com.au Page 17 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

OFF SHIFT 152nd EDITION. 2012

FIFO families: be resourceful at Christmas

E

ARLY celebrations, special care packages and action-packed video calls are among a range of simple ideas to ensure fly-in/fly-out miners have a jolly Christmas despite being separated from loved ones on 25 December.

Alicia Ranford, co-founder of the online support network Mining Family Matters, has spent five out of 12 Christmases away from her mining engineer husband, and says the experience has made her family more resilient.

“It’s entirely natural for families to feel sad and disappointed when they’re apart for special events, but unfortunately it’s not financially viable for most mining operations to close down just because Santa is on his way,” Mrs Ranford says.

“We know that mining families can be incredibly resourceful – last year one couple

got the whole family in on the idea that Christmas was early in December, to ensure their toddlers experienced the special day with their mining dad before he left for the mine.

“The toddlers didn’t know what day it was – they just saw that Santa had drunk his milk and knew he’d been down the chimney overnight.”

Mining Family Matters psychologist Angie Willcocks says that when it comes to being separated on Christmas Day – or any relationship pressures associated with mining life – it’s important to remember that children pick up on the emotions of their parents.

Mining Family Matters offers these simple ideas for families who’ll spend Christmas apart this year: Celebrate early. Plan ahead with your extended family and set your own special

date during the R&R break closest to Christmas. Go the whole hog (or pork!) with bonbons, pudding – and allowing your miner to open his/her presents early. The kids always love celebrating Christmas Day twice, food shopping won’t be quite so crazy, and you’ll create great family memories despite your family Christmas falling on the wrong date.

Send a secret Santa box to the mine site to be opened by your miner on Christmas morning.

Include things like a bon-bon and Santa hat, home-made biscuits, Christmas cards/ artworks from the kids, small presents from each of you (your miner can guess who chose what) and of course some tinsel for their donga. A silly picture of you and the kids wearing Christmas hats is always a winner too.

Pre-arrange a special Christmas Skype call to ensure your miner plays a part in your day. Put the carols on in the background and open a couple of presents together. Pack a short Christmas story for the mine site, so mum/dad can read to the kids, or get the kids to sing their favourite Christmas jingle.

If Skype isn’t available, or your miner would prefer not to Skype on the actual day (some miners find it harder when they can see the celebrations they’re missing) get family and friends to send short texts throughout the day. Make sure you include those lame Christmas bon-bon jokes. No-one should be spared bon-bon jokes on Christmas Day. It’s not always practical, but some mines invite families up on site for Christmas. If ever you get the opportunity, don’t miss it.

It’s something you’ll never forget.

Cairns

Townsville

Rockhampton

Sunshine Coast Brisbane

Page 18 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

OFF SHIFT 152nd EDITION. 2012

Holiday plans?

Wing it last minute

I

F YOU are not the most organised the person in the world, chances are you have hit the Christmas holidays, have some free time with the family and have not planned a single getaway.

Fear not, because there is a world of lastminute deals waiting for you online, and the great news is that you can often bag yourself a bargain.

Let’s take a look at one of our favourite sites used by the staff at Shift Miner. Wotif. com means you will never pay full price again.

Any day of the week you log on and you can find a great deal, and often these extend to about four weeks from the date you log on. Today’s Wot’s Hot deals are all for under $200 a night and for decent accommodation.

I suggest you check out each accommodation supplier’s website so you get an idea of what you are booking and read the reviews left by other customers. Most of the deals extend for four weeks from the time you look.

Another great website is Lastminute.

com.au. Here, you can find accommodation, flights, experiences, gifts... The list goes on.

If you prefer a better planned holiday that is not dictated by last-minute deals and you want to stay in Queensland, then check out Moreton Bay. This region offers a combination of coastline on Moreton Bay and rural-urban fringes extending into the picturesque D’Aguilar Ranges.

Fun, adventure, Australian and global history and culture, art, food, beaches, fishing and boating – there is something in here for each member of your family.

Accommodation ranges from caravanning and camping in private parks or national parks; cosy cabins and cottages; boutique bed and breakfasts; comfy motels or self contained apartments.

You can cruise on Pumicestone Passage and mingle with dugongs and exotic migratory birds; take a charter on the bay for fishing or snorkelling; or hire a paddle boat.

If you are the adventurous sort, you can

get a bird’s eye view of the landscape from glider flights, helicopter rides or vintage planes and for anyone who is a complete adrenalinejunkie, there is skydiving.

Somewhere in the region there is a market every weekend so check them out. You will find music, seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, art, crafts and goods hand made by skilful locals.

To get rid of your post Christmas gut, explore by cycling the many paths that criss-cross the along the coastal foreshores and through the national parks.

And if that’s not enough to tempt you, there are many events and festivals yearround, and the region is well-known for this.

There are country,rock, blues and medieval music events through to trade expos, kitefests, car shows and historical re-enactments.

So if you are not quite sure what to do these holidays, either check out Wotif.com, Lastminute.com.au or have a getaway in Moreton Bay. For more information, visit www.visitmoretonbay.com.au.

How to manage separation JUST separated? Thinking about separating? How to head in the right direction Every family and every separation is unique. How you act in the lead up to separation from your spouse and immediately after separation will shape what will happen with your ex spouse (and your kids if you have them), in the weeks, months and often years that follow. So often lawyers see clients once mistakes have already been made, which make their case that much more difficult.

The lead up to separation and separation itself is difficult. It is understandable to be stressed, frustrated and angry, but how you behave can have a big impact on what will happen. Many parents in particular wish they acted differently or did not say certain things by the time they have received legal advice.

You should get legal advice as soon as you can. Don’t spend your time worrying about what might happen or argue/make threats about what will happen when you do not have your own information and advice. Every circumstance is different, relying on friends or family for advice or what you have heard is no substitute for getting advice about your own individual circumstances.

Seeing a lawyer and getting some individually tailored advice as quickly as you can is vital. Most lawyers offer a fixed fee for a one-off initial consultation where you can get a lot of information and answers about your circumstances.

You do not have to keep using that lawyer, either straightaway or at any point in the future, but at least you will have some more information and answers that is tailored to your circumstances.

Getting legal advice means that you have a more realistic idea about what may happen. It will help you to develop a plan of what you want to do and when. It will also help you to avoid doing things or making threats which come back to haunt you later on.

Supplied by: James Bailey Partner SR Wallace & Wallace

Page 19 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

OFF SHIFT 152nd EDITION. 2012

MOVIE REVIEW

BY JUSTIN CARLOS

High school drama rehashed EVERYTHING old is new again, and the same can be said for movies.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is reminiscent of classic eighties high school melodramas like Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club.

Set in the 1980s, the film follows the story of Charlie, an awkward and introverted high school freshman struggling to make friends.

After meeting two seniors at a football game, Charlie is welcomed into their friendship group and begins to enjoy his high school experience much more.

He falls in love with a girl named Sam (Emma Watson, famous for playing Hermione in the Harry Potter movies), but is initially unable to win her over.

As the film progresses snippets of information about Charlie’s psychological problems and awkwardness are revealed, ultimately leading to an unexpected and fairly subversive conclusion.

Like its predecessors, The Perks of Being a Wallflower plays on the anxieties associated with going to high school, popularity, making friends, being bullied,

and all the other things that seem important.

A secret relationship between two of the main characters, Patrick and Brad, introduces a subplot about the difficulties facing a young homosexual couple in a high school environment.

Although the film is saturated with drama and ‘heavy’ scenes, it’s propelled nicely by humour.

There are some laugh-out-loud moments in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which is a testament to both the screenwriting and the performance by the relatively young cast.

The film takes a major dramatic turn towards its climax, which may deter some viewers who were expecting the film to follow the path of forebears like The Breakfast Club, wherein the characters are only ever burdened with ‘high school problems’, like not being ‘cool’.

If you enjoyed the high school dramas of the eighties, and more recent films like Juno, then The Perks of Being a Wallflower is definitely for you.

If you’re not into drama then it’s probably best to give this one a miss, as the comedic element isn’t strong enough to overpower the heavy stuff.

e h t k n a Fr Tank’s

“Streakin” good love advice

Dear Frank, I recently became involved with a girl whom I am becoming quite fond of, but I have discovered by chance that we might be distantly related.

Do I follow my heart and run the risk of webbed-toed banjo-playing children, or put a stop to it?

Aaron, Dysart

Well, Aaron I’ve got a few little rules about this very situation that I have applied in my own life.

Ask your girlfriend to show you some of her photo albums. As she’s flipping through and you realise that her Uncle Willy is also your Uncle Willy, you’re probably too closely related.

If you introduce her to your parents and your mother faints, then that probably means you’re too closely related.

If you are both inexplicably compelled to watch Deliverance when you’re hanging out together, then you’re probably too closely related.

Now, these are not hard and fast rules and certainly I have met people who have no qualms about throwing caution to the wind and shacking up with a relative.

Perhaps you should consider it, Aaron; I can think of a few perks of dating your relation.

Number one, there’s no awkward meeting with her parents because they’ve known you since you were a kid.

You don’t have to answer any annoying “What do you do for a living?” questions because they already know.

If you wind up getting married you’ll save money on the wedding because her side of the family is the same as yours.

Sensible Susan

Aaron, I suppose only you can answer the question you’ve asked, because in the end you’re

Should you decide to have kids there’s a fairly strong chance they’ll be mutants of some description, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. You can make a bit of money driving around on the weekend charging slack-jawed locals five bucks to stare at ‘Snake Boy and the Bearded Girl’.

If you’re still not convinced all you have to do is look back through history at all the great men who have married their cousins.

Charles Darwin, who postulated ground-breaking theories on evolution, wound up marrying his cousin.

Famous author Edgar Allen Poe and musician Jerry Lee Lewis also decided there was no need to look beyond their immediate family to find love.

Now, I’m not saying that marrying their cousins made these men great, but it probably helped them achieve greatness.

If you’re going to marry your cousin you need to be exceptional enough that people will look past the banjo music at the wedding and the inbred cannibal children locked up in the basement to your outstanding achievements.

The writing is on the wall, Aaron. If you want to succeed in life, you need to marry this distant relative of yours.

If you want to run the risk of a webbed-toed banjo-playing child, then by all means marry your relative.

the one who has to live with the decision.

Having said that, I would highly recommend raising the issue with the girl you’re seeing, because she might have extremely strong feelings on the subject.

Talk to her about it, and you might come to a decision together; perhaps you’re so distantly related it doesn’t matter, or maybe it’s best you part ways before things get too serious.

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

Page 20 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

FAIR DINKUM 152nd EDITION. 2012

Fair Dinkum!

IN NEW ZEALAND - Blind drunk after a couple of vodkas can make for a cheap and interesting date, but it seems to be blind and not drunk comes with its own life lessons.

According to reports in The New Zealand Herald, Denis Duthie, 65, suddenly went blind when vodka he had been drinking reacted with his diabetes medication.

Mr Duthie, a catering tutor at New Plymouth’s Western Institute of Technology, had been celebrating his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in June by having a few vodkas from a bottle his students had given him as a present.

“I thought it had got dark and I’d missed out on a bit of time but it was only about half-past- three in the afternoon. I was fumbling around the bedroom for the light switch but ... I’d just gone completely blind,” he told the paper.

Mr Duthie was rushed to Taranaki Base Hospital, where doctors thought he might have formaldehyde poisoning, which is associated with ingesting methanol and can be treated by administering ethanol - the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

There wasn’t enough medical ethanol available in the hospital, so the registrar nipped round to the bottlo and picked up a bottle of whisky.

“Johnnie Walker Black Label. It was good whisky, yeah,” Mr Duthie said.

They dripped the whisky into his stomach through a tube, and hoped for the best.

“I woke up five days later and I could see as soon as I could open my eyes,” Mr Duthie said.

Ahhhhh, the restorative power of alcohol: a good news story to restore one’s faith in the marvel of modern medicine!

IN AUSTRALIA - Schools these days seem to come up with some pretty whacked education strategies, but an assignment in which students are required to detail the life, crimes and potential desires of a serial killer really begs the question ‘what the?’.

The assignment handed out by a grade nine teacher at Northern Bay College’s Goldsworthy campus in Corio asked students studying a forensic psychology elective (what the?) to complete 10 out of a possible 20 serial killer activities.

“Hello everyone, welcome to your serial killer assignment. You are to complete 10, yes 10, of the activities listed below in

the next two weeks” (what the?...why is teacher speak so lame?).

Some of the 20 options included: draw a cartoon about how a serial killer murdered someone; produce “detailed artwork” about the serial killer; compose a poem or rap about a serial killer; make a children’s book which “teaches them about serial killers;” draw a floor plan of a serial killer’s dream house; and create a serial killer board game “with full instructions.” (WHAT THE?).

After being posted online and facing a parent and media firestorm, school principal Ken Massari ordered the assignment be pulled: “Upon review, I made the decision to withdraw the assignment immediately and permanently, and our trained support staff (what the?) contacted each family concerned to determine if any support was required,” Massari said in the school newsletter.

Students learnt a valuable lesson that something that sounds like bullshit usually is.

IN CANADA - A former Catholic high school student has flipped more than the usual pair of bunny ears for the camera in his yearbook photo and has instead treated school students, staff and parents to a stealth full frontal.

In a photo of the news team at Mother Teresa secondary school in Ontario this sharing, caring soul decided to man up and preserve his penis for posterity.

Unaware the yearbook contained nudity; unsuspecting staff handed out copies at the school of about 1300 students.

Perhaps our man of the mast deserves a belated nomination of ‘most likely to succeed in porn’?

1

2

3

There wasn’t enough medical ethanol available in the hospital, so the registrar nipped round to the bottlo and picked up a bottle of whisky.

5

9

6

7

ACROSS

8

1. Distinct

10

5. Large lizard

11

9. Purely theoretical

12

13

10. Gratify 12. Musical ensemble

14

15

13. Fun park ride, ... train

16

14. Toboggan

18

17 19

20

16. House constructor

21 22

25

24

19. Respects

23

21. Swimming competition

26

24. Of sound 25. Badly disfigured

27

28

29

30

27. Ostracise 28. Increases in attractiveness 29. Nonetheless (4,2) 30. Throw overboard

3 8 1 1 5

2

1 2

DOWN

9 1

1. Clergyman 2. Husband-to-be

3

4 6 8

3. Sibling’s daughter 4. Gnarled 6. Explosive material 7. South American snake 8. Lens opening

9 8 9

Shift Miner

An assignment Handy 15A blank grid handed out to ShiftMInerHandyblank.pdf school students on serial killers ©Lovatts Publications 2010 made watching an episode of Dexter seem lame.

4

4 6

8

6 3

11. Attire

2 7 3

4

15. Songwriters 17. Moderate 18. Prominence 20. Equivalent 21. Afternoon performance 22. Supplies

8 5

23. Light-bulb inventor

MEDIUM

26. Sprang

# 38

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS R E A MA M EM D A G E N C I E S

R U N P

L I G I ON A O N RQU E E S I D T O A N A T I NG T M R T Y P E E H E A S S E D D N T A U DGE Y E L O R S L V A D E ME E A S R A Y S S T

X # I C 37O M B P I E S T E N A T S T S SOD E R D S V A L OW I N G W S R A N T I ME E O E UD E N T S

ME A E S Y G O P I N I G

4 3 2 1 7 8 9 6 5

8 6 1 5 9 4 3 7 2

7 9 5 6 2 3 8 4 1

9 8 7 2 6 1 5 3 4

1 4 6 3 5 9 2 8 7

5 2 3 4 8 7 6 1 9

2 1 4 9 3 6 7 5 8

6 7 9 8 1 5 4 2 3

3 5 8 7 4 2 1 9 6

Page 21 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

OFF SHIFT 152nd EDITION. 2012

Bait shop Banter FISHING IN YEPPOON THE winds have been giving the Cap Coast a bit of a shellacking, reports Bob at Capricorn Coast Sport & Hobby Centre.

But once the swells simmer down and you can get yourself out amongst it, there should be some decent reef fish about.

That is as long as the proliferation of sharks don’t manage to bag them before you do.

Seek out some clear water and ye shall find mackerel, is this fortnight’s gospel according to Bob. He also reckons there have been some enormous flathead (around the 600mm mark) being hauled in by happy punters in the harbour and creek mouths.

The occasional grunter and a small amount of king and bream are about, but given that crabs are on the go perhaps your energy is best spent pulling out some of the big fellas.

FISHING IN GLADSTONE

Sadly it seems the grinch that stole Christmas is also doing a roaring trade with numerous reports of pot thieves on the prowl.

Happy Christmas! The crabs are going gangbusters in Gladstone, says Michael from the Compleat Angler.

Sadly it seems the grinch that stole Christmas is also doing a roaring trade with numerous reports of pot thieves on the prowl.

“With all the share farmers coming out of the woodwork your only option is to sit on your pots at this time of year,” says Michael.

Tide Times

December

Offshore has been patchy with some boats bringing home the bacon but others languishing in loserville.

Good jacks and grunter are round the traps, with Toolooa Bends and the Boyne River being particularly privy.

Michael reckons there are some nice salmon in the Calliope and to seek them out with their favoured strip flesh baits.

FISHING IN MACKAY Nathan from Tackle World Mackay happily informs there are plenty of good reef fish on the chew including trout and red emperor.

Closer to home there are quite a few grunter and many over legal to be had with Murray Creek being one of the more consistent performers.

Tempt them in with a fresh prawn or garfish slab.

The bigger tides and warmer weather is starting to move the crabs along, and Rocky Dam is particularly crabbing well says Nathan.

And no need for your Christmas platter to be all ham and turkey when there are prawns around the Seaforth area to amp up

MACKAY Gladstone

Time Ht

Time Ht

Calling all serious fisherman to the best fishing location on the coast.

Close to mining areas (You have probably driven past the turn-off!)

Fully s/c accommodation silly season, 2011 & 2012 Crew bookings available

Phone: 49373145

email: stanagebaymarine@bigpond.com web: www.stanagebay.com

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

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

With Mike Griffin

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0543 0.81 0040 3.44 0135 3.32 0237 3.25 0347 3.28 0458 3.40 0557 3.59 1213 4.21 0631 1.10 0727 1.37 0835 1.58 0954 1.66 1111 1.60 1213 1.47 1837 0.76 1304 3.94 1356 3.67 1453 3.44 1559 3.27 1707 3.19 1809 3.20

1927 0.95 2020 1.11 2119 1.21 2223 1.23 2322 1.18

0131 4.59 0226 4.42 0328 4.31 0440 4.31 0555 4.46 0037 1.25 0132 1.14 0732 0.89 0825 1.29 0926 1.66 1042 1.91 1207 1.94 0702 4.73 0754 5.01 1348 5.60 1441 5.19 1542 4.81 1652 4.52 1806 4.38 1321 1.79 1417 1.59 2031 0.97 2125 1.16 2226 1.29 2333 1.32

1911 4.36 2005 4.39

Mon 24 Tue 25 Wed 26 Thu 27 Fri 28 Sat 29 Sun 30 MACKAY Gladstone

FISHING PARADISE FOUND

Your weather forecast

Mon 17 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu 20 Fri 21 Sat 22 Sun 23 Time Ht Time Ht

your party.

Nathan reckons that by Christmas they should be up to a good size.

On hols and looking for an easy arvo or evening of fishing?

Nathan says to give Kinchant Dam a whirl as it is fishing well for big barra.

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht 0014 1.09 0058 1.01 0135 0.93 0208 0.88 0240 0.84 0311 0.83 0343 0.85 0644 3.78 0725 3.94 0801 4.05 0834 4.11 0905 4.14 0937 4.15 1010 4.13 1302 1.32 1342 1.19 1419 1.10 1453 1.03 1525 0.99 1558 0.96 1632 0.96 1900 3.26 1944 3.31 2022 3.34 2055 3.36 2126 3.37 2157 3.37 2228 3.36 0217 1.03 0257 0.95 0332 0.91 0403 0.90 0432 0.91 0501 0.93 0532 0.98 0838 5.24 0916 5.41 0950 5.50 1021 5.54 1050 5.54 1119 5.52 1148 5.47 1502 1.41 1542 1.30 1617 1.24 1649 1.23 1719 1.24 1748 1.25 1818 1.28 2050 4.42 2128 4.42 2202 4.40 2232 4.38 2259 4.36 2329 4.36

Page 22 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

Heat returns with storms for cooler Christmas WEEK 1 - After the relatively comfortable breezy conditions of last week the heat returns. A large high in the southern Tasman has caused gale force gusts for the coast during the week. Heron Island is back after being “off the air” for two weeks, recorded gusts to 38 knots (70kph) and whipped seas up to 3 metres offshore. While temperatures across the eastern Coalfields recorded Apparent Temperatures (AP) 2-3 degrees below ambient value. That is the 33/34C maximum in Emerald/Springsure/Dysart felt like 31/32C during the week. Storms in the Warrego and Darling Downs flanked the southern parts of the Coalfields. If we look at the satellite photo the first tropical cloud for the season from the Kimberly area, heads east. This should cause storms along the NT/QLD border which will reach the western half of the Coalfields around Mon/Tue afternoon/evening. Maximums will be in the high 30s prior to the evening storms. Watch-out!! One or two of these could be severe (flash flooding - severe lightning). Then the associated trough oscillates around the Central Highland/ Warrego with an isolated late thundery shower later in the week. A cooler change could follow on the weekend.

Boaties!! With the heat the winds should be light early with late sea breeze. Mon: NW/NE 5-10 tending NNE 1518 inshore avo. Tue: NNW/NNE 5-10 tending NNE 15-20 avo with a storm inland approaching. Wed: N/NNW 10-15 gusting to 28 knots in a squally storm late Thr: N 10-15

tending NNE 10-15 avo could gust to 20 knots late avo.

Watch for a late storm in the south. Fri: NNE 8-12 tending E/ SE late 10-15. Again thundery shower activity in the south.

Sat-Sun: If ridge in south arrives on time - SE 15-20 with a squally shower gusting 28-30 knots.

WEEK 2 - The monsoon trough in the north east seems to be developing a low around Fiji. This could be our first cyclone (TC Evan??) for the Southern Hemisphere for the season. If the cooler breeze arrives and “Evan” develops in the east (how close to New Caledonia) then conditions around Xmas could be rather cooler (big call here!!). If the pressure gradient tightens then a comfortable breeze could affect the south-eastern half of the Coalfields. This phenomena will direct a good N’ly tail wind for the start of the Sydney/Hobart Yacht Race in Sydney. Then a big major wind chance around Bass Strait on the 27th. Back to the Coalfields. A fresh breeze from the coast will drop the (AP) by 2-3 degrees similar to the previous cooler few days. Once “Evan” weakens then the heat should return late week.

Marine Lovers!! A fresh Xmas SE breeze. Mon-Tue: SE 1520 with a brief shower easing late. All depends on “Evan”.

Wed: S/SE 16-11 tending ESE/E 13-11 inshore late. Thr: SE 14-9 tending E/NE 8-12 avo. Again it depends on ex-Evan??

If the low off the coast moves south there will be a brief interlude of lighter conditions then a sudden SE’ly surge either early or late weekend.

CAR FOR SALE

BOAT FOR SALE

2008 TOYOTA AVENSIS VERSO

Offshore Marine Master 2012 Mac5 Cuddy.

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

Brand new! 90HP Suzuki 4 stroke, Hydraulic steering, Live well, Bimini, Bait station, self draining fully ZHOGHG ÀRRU .LOO WDQN 4mm bottom, 3mm sides.

Comes on Dunbier Glider trailer. Fishermans dream $39,950 Phone: 0404 891 776

CAR FOR SALE

CARAVAN AND CAR FOR SALE

2010 TOYOTA HILUX

8mtrs, vcomplete with all upgrades. Ford F250 V8 deisel w/ gas injection. tow vehicle. Full details on request. Will pass any inspection.

$40,000 Phone: 0421 000 789

Phone: 07 4162 5730

SAILING CATAMARAN 12.6m Light Cruiser.

Sleeps 3. Auxiliary motor, dinghy and outboard.

Located at Yeppoon.

Call for full inventory and inspection $150,000 Phone: 0448 874 000 DINGHY FOR SALE

2012 Horizon 3.1M Aluminium Dinghy, 6HP Yamaha Motor and Redco trailer – All New, Registered 11/13 with safety gear.

$4,500

CAMPER AND CAR FOR SALE

Compass slide-on camper on Ford F250 ute.Camper sleeps 2 plus makeup 3rd. 3way Electrolux fridge, 2 burner stove, wired 12 & 240 volts, 100Lwater, PortaPotti, space for 2x4.5kg LPG and 2 batteries, steps and legs carried below ÀRRU ) ;/ / GLHVHO 190,000km, strengthened springs, UHF, compressor.

Whole unit $45,000 ono.

Camper only $11,000 ono.

Phone: 0407 913 914 CAR FOR SALE 2006 DODGE RAM 3500 SLT Lonestar Edition Heavy Duty 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel Allison auto transmission Wood grain inserts 5th wheel hitch, tow bar 4 door dual cab Dual wheels, new tires and chrome Call for more detail.....

Genuine sale!!!!

104000klms

Phone: 0419 788 599

$79,000 ono Phone: 0432 429 264

HOUSE/LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

NORTH OF YEPPOON

2.5 ACRES FARMLET

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

Bitumen Road and Phone to front Gate. School, PO, Garage, Hospital, Hotel kindergarden and stores 15 min Drive.

New gold mines in area.

$595,000 ono Phone: 07 4937 3564

$48,000 Phone: 0413 501 222

HOUSE FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR SALE

EMU PARK Excellent low set 3YO brick at Emu Park.

3 beds, 2 bath big yard, fenced

Gracemere acreage and residence. Large well appointed 5 bedroom home on 10 acres.

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

Phone: 0409 630 311

Ph. 0419 672 181

CAR FOR SALE CLASSIC FOR SALE FORD MUSTANG CONVERTABLE 67 302 V8 auto. Left hand drive, disc brakes.

Excellent condition, fully restored.

$48,000 Phone: 07 4933 7305 CAR PARTS FOR SALE

Front Bumper Land Cruiser 2012 $150 Standard Exhaust System 2.5 Inch $500 4x Standard GXL Rims $750 each Air Intake Snorkel (Top Only) $50 5 Dunlop Tyres 265/70R16 111RLT $250 Full Suspension Front Coil, Rear Leaf & Shockies $1000

Phone: 0429 831 021 BUSINESS FOR SALE

With large capacity cranes, 4 Trailers Bundy based.

Soild work contacts, carrying house frames and trusses to Gladstone, 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

LAND FOR SALE YEPPOON 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. $300,000 Phone: 0409 391 254

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. $95,000 or offers, willing to negotiate Phone: 0412 982 808 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. $73000 ono Emerald.Q. 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. *RRG ODUJH OHYHO ÀDWV 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, Bus travels daily to mine site. $235,000 Phone: 0488 079 675 LAND FOR SALE

MACLEAY ISLAND Your own private resort.

Absolute waterfront home on Macleay Island Retire or use as a getaway www.realestate.com. au/property-house-qldmacleay+island-111073 031

$700,000 Phone: 0749 333 106

Phone: 1300 091 773

UNIT FOR SALE

HOUSE FOR SALE 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

HOUSE FOR SALE EMU PARK Beach front, Keppel Island views. Upstairs large main bedroom with large ensuite, 2nd bedroom, RI¿FH ORXQJH NLWFKHQHWWH and balcony. Downstairs 2 bedrooms lounge,kitchen, dining, formal dining, bathroom, laundry plus VHOI FRQWDLQHG JUDQQ\ ÀDW $995,000 ono Phone: 0407 659 181

Phone: 0428 227 623

$310,000

HOUSE FOR SALE

$350,000

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 on site.

TAXI LICENCE IN BOOMING GLADSTONE

2 PRIME MOVERS

Phone: 0419 020 566

MACKAY

BUSINESS FOR SALE

Sale price includes shares in “Gladstone Taxis�.

2010 SOUTHERN CROSS 5th WHEELER

Mine Spec, BMA Thiess Mac &RDO &HUWLÂżHG 1HZ 0D[[LV Iron Mud Tires, ADB Bull Bar, Lightfrce 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

BOAT FOR SALE

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 $108,000.00 Must be sold. OFFERS, OFFERS, OFFERS Very Negotiable

PROSERPINE Rural land 15 min cbd proserpine 2x200 acre lots good grazing land and house sites will sell separately POA $ 520,000 the pair Phone: 0447 031 588 HOUSE TO SHARE YEPPOON Ocean views with one other person Enjoy your days off at the Beach Lockable car cover, heaps of lockable garage space and storage

$110/week Phone: 0429 451 196 after 5pm please

MONEY MATTERS 152nd EDITION. 2012

MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Regional or city, old or new?

QUESTIONS often asked by potential property investors are: regional or city, old or new, houses or units?

Regional or city: low-risk properties can be located in large regional areas provided there is a growing population and a demonstrated tenancy history.

Over the last few years many regional areas have outperformed capital cities, for example, areas such as Gladstone, Mackay, Emerald, Hunter Valley etc.

I would recommend educating yourself on investing strategies appropriate for regional areas. A lot is said about finding positive cash flow properties in these areas. The typical yields can be 6-9 per cent, which makes the properties well and truly cash positive and takes the stress away from holding the investment. It also makes it possible to build a portfolio much quicker as the cash flow is taken care of.

Avoid locations with a single resource or mine. When mining towns rely on a single resource or mine, there is a higher risk

of the resource diminishing or sudden mine closure. Instead, look to regional mining centres with a range of resources. Gladstone, for example, is home to a number of resources including coal, liquefied natural gas and nickel. Diversity is the key, and carefully selecting a location that is resourcerich will minimise your exposure to risk.

Old or new property: investing in a new property carries with it various benefits.

First of all, the new property generally requires less frequent and less costly maintenance and provides higher depreciation benefits in comparison with established property. Depreciation provides a tax offset against the value of construction, fixtures, fittings, plant and equipment and even ‘furniture packs’ included in the purchase. Depreciation on new properties provides a significant tax shield and enhances after tax earnings from the property. Additionally, newer properties generally attract a higher rent when compared to a similarly sized and located older property.

5P .FO 8IP 8BOU UP 2VJU 8PSL 0OF %BZ

)PX UP 0XO B $BTI 'MPX 1PTJUJWF QSPQFSUZ BOE DSFBUF XFBMUI Use an Invesment Property to help pay off your home loan in 4-6 years!

We will show you how

8IFSF EP * TUBSU 8IFSF TIPVME * CVZ )PX NVDI XJMM JU DPTU

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR MINERS BY CALLING TODAY...

Ph. 1300 657 184

Page 24 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

Investors are therefore more likely to enjoy positive cash flow. In addition, new properties in general enjoy lower rental vacancies due to their proximity to employment, transport, recreation and other social infrastructure.

Houses or units: houses have shown consistent long-term capital growth. House investors are well advised to secure properties with large land areas for better investment returns. In addition, house owners have greater control over their assets than unit owners. Houses are able to be renovated in order to add value. On the flip side, houses have typically lower rental returns and higher ownership and maintenance costs than units.

When compared with houses, units provide higher rental return and comparable capital growth. In recent years, units have outperformed houses from both rental yield and capital gain perspective. Units are often more popular for renters due to their usual proximity to employment, urban cen-

tres and community amenities and less frequent and enormous maintenance and upkeep needs (i.e. no lawn to mow).

Generally rental vacancies for well-located apartments are low.On the downside, over the longer-term units have historically shown less consistent capital growth than houses, especially in less developed areas. In addition, unit owners need to pay for various body corporate expenses that increase the cost of ownership. At the end of the day the decision to purchase a house or a unit generally comes down to the demographics of the area. Regional areas tend to have greater capital growth with house and land whereas inner city areas are well supported by units.

Likewise, tenants in regional areas are more likely to be families looking for houses whereas in the city areas, singles and couples may prefer units.

Before purchasing an investment property, always consultant a professional property advisory service. They will be able to assist you make the right decision for your personal circumstances.

Angela Trz’an, chief executive, Investment Property Masters

MONEY MATTERS 152nd EDITION. 2012

Flood insurance with bite THE moral of the Queensland flood story from two years ago is to check out whether your potential home lies in a floodplain.

And if you have already bought in a flood area, be prepared for some huge jumps in your insurance premiums - or sell it to someone who has no idea.

Thanks to the floods and some insurance companies offering automatic flood cover, insurance costs have blown through the roof. Some insurance companies are reporting premium increases ranging from 50 per cent to 400 per cent.

We can’t blame just the floods for this hike; other disasters including cyclone Yasi, fires, storms and floods in other states have also played their part in pushing up your insurance bill.

Herron Todd White cautions that despite the cost, it has never been so important to ensure you have the appropriate level of building insurance cover.

It’s because of this that some insurance companies have introduced automatic flood cover to their insurance policies.

Where offered, this flood cover reduces uncertainty for you about your coverage during a severe weather event.

If this is what your home looks like after a bit of rain, then expect a huge hike in your insurance premiums.

“Many insurers are increasing premiums to match flood map assessments,” the Herron Todd White team points out.

“This means that if you live in a flood zone area, chances are you will likely experience larger increases in premiums, as opposed to not living in a flood zone area or a low-risk flood zone area.”

And the not so good news is that it’s not likely to get better.

Herron Todd White says environmentalists predict that major storms, floods and fires that cause property damage will most

likely happen more often. This is based on the frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions in Australia, “What you will find in the future is that insurance companies need to be prepared for an increase in claims related to these events in order to have enough money to pay out claims.”

A common mistake is to either under-insure or over-insure your home. This results from not accurately estimating the total cost of replacing or rebuilding your house.

Under-insurance means you may have to raise additional finance to rebuild or replace your house

in the event of its total loss, and you may not be able to afford to rebuild in the same location.

Over-insurance means you will be paying for more in annual premiums than you need to and will still only receive from your insurer the amount it actually costs to rebuild/replace your house.

Herron Todd White says a replacement cost estimate for insurance purposes provides the cost of rebuilding a property in the event of partial or total destruction.

It includes the costs of demolition, site clearance, rubbish removal, professional fees, compliance costs etc as well as the costs of reconstruction and can be adjusted for inflation. In a partial loss, careful demolition is required to save the remainder of the building and this can result in more complex and costly procedures.

“A quantity surveyor has access to a construction cost data base and estimating techniques necessary to determine the cost of construction which is the cost required for your insurance purpose.

“A market valuation as provided by a valuer is not the same as the cost of construction and can vary considerably over or under the actual cost of construction.”

Page 25 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

19,326 Acres | 16 Freehold Titles Lifestyle | Grazing | Farming

from $280,000 ‘Lakeview’ incorporating ‘Smithy’s Run’ CAPRICON COAST, CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

35km NW of Yeppoon 45km NE of Rockhampton. *V\U[Y` JVTWYPZLZ H TP_ MYVT ISHJR ZVPS Å VVK WSHPUZ [V Z^LL[ ]VSJHUPJ YPKNLZ PUJS\KPUN L_[LUZP]L HYLHZ VM WVUKLK HUK PTWYV]LK WHZ[\YLZ :WV[[LK .\T WSHU[H[PVU KHTZ HUK IVYLZ *VTMVY[HISL ILKYVVT OVTL THJOPULY` ZOLK HUK JH[[SL `HYKZ ‹ º:TP[O`»Z 9\U» ‹ 3V[ 3HRL MYVU[HNL ‹ 3V[ ‹ 3V[ ‹ 3V[ ‹ 3V[ ‹ 3V[ ‹ 3V[

OH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH

Kev Doolan 0408 192 883 Emu Park

Page 26 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

I

HOUSE AND LAND FROM $197,400*

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

4

-05 102

2

t "MGSFTDP t $FJMJOH 'BOT t 'FODJOH

t 'MPPS $PWFSJOHT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT t "JS $POEJUJPOJOH

t 'MPPS $PWFSJOHT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT t "JS $POEJUJPOJOH

-05 103

1

1

$405,500*

t 'MPPS $PWFSJOHT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT t 'FODJOH t $FJMJOH 'BOT

THE NOBLE VANTAGE HOLDINGS

COLE CONTEMPORARY VANTAGE HOLDINGS

4

2

-05 107

FROM

1

$334,982*

t "MGSFTDP t $FJMJOH 'BOT t 'FODJOH

2

$468,072*

1

2

2

3

2

1

219 $492,400* -05 $409,400*

t "MGSFTDP t $FJMJOH 'BOT t 'FODJOH

FROM

TANGALOOMA CONTEMPORARY VANTAGE HOLDINGS

2

-05 218

FROM

FROM

t 'MPPS $PWFSJOHT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT t "JS $POEJUJPOJOH

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*

t "MGSFTDP t $FJMJOH 'BOT t 'FODJOH

The perfect place to call home

1

FROM

1

THE STUART HALLEY HOMES

JERSEY CLASSIC VANTAGE HOLDINGS

ULD 1 VANTAGE HOLDINGS

-05 211

LAND FROM $141,500*

t 'MPPS $PWFSJOHT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT t "JS $POEJUJPOJOH

t 'FODJOH t 'MPPS DPWFSJOHT t "JS $POEJUJPOJOH t $FJMJOH 'BOT t ,JUDIFO "QQMJBODFT

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

Page 27 - Shift Miner Magazine, 17th December 2012

n i d e v o r p p a e r ” !

“P s d n o c e s 60

G S E T A R T A E R G S N A O L CAR

E C I V R E S T A RE