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Monday May 13, 2013 161st Edition

M A G A Z I N E

Black dog stalking

Are we stuck in red dog days? » Full report page 4

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CONTENTS 4

9 15

NEWS 6

Moranbah on measles alert

ANCAP claims first victim

10 Good news for fitters

11 Show me the money

Numbers You Numbers Numbers Can CountYou On** You

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

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Redgum tackles Red Dog era

When it comes to mental health, the mining industry is still stuck in the Red Dog era of the 1970s.

WHEN Australian folk icon and Redgum frontman John Schumann walks onto a mine site, miners stand up and take notice. But it’s his message that’s receiving the applause. “When we go and do a

health to be included in mining companies’ OH&S policies - as is required by law - and John Schumann is helping to sell the message at the coal face. “They all know I Was Only Nineteen; they all know him and

toolbox talk on site, we are getting a standing ovation from a hardened crew at 5.45am,” Dr Jennifer Bowers told Shift Miner. Dr Bowers runs the Australasian Centre for Rural and Mental Health. She wants mental

they relate to him instantly. The army has a very good mental health program and they use the song as a promotional tool for returned servicemen. I saw it and thought this will work for miners too.” According to Dr Bowers, one in three miners will experience mental illness every year. At an industry safety conference in Brisbane last week, she outlined what she calls the Red Dog effect. “An inordinate amount of time and energy is now spent looking at OH&S on site, and we have a huge range of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),” she explained. “In the Red Dog era in the 1970s in the Pilbara, men wore stubbies and singlets and thongs to work, so OH&S has come a long way. But what about mental health? The answer is no, we’re still stuck in the 1970s.” Dr Bowers said there is not one mining company in Australia that has a mental health policy or adheres to it in any way. “They all have an Employee Assistance Provider, usually

a contracted agency, who will help employees in the event of an actual crisis or incident. But that is purely reactive; what I am talking about is proactive measures.” Dr Bowers said attitudes are slowly changing, but it’s hard to get executives at the top of the food chain to listen. “When we hand out surveys on site and ask if mental health is an issue in this workforce, we have had a 100 per cent response rate of yes. “The challenge is getting executives and management to recognise that if people’s heads aren’t in the right space at work, then they are at risk.” That challenge doesn’t get any easier in a downturn. “Companies don’t regard it as core business, and while they might recognise general health they will let preventative measures drop off. “The irony is it should be one of the last things that should be let go in a downturn, because in times of stress employees need to know they have back up and support.”

It’s not about hardening up

N Cairns

Townsville

Rockhampton

Sunshine Coast Brisbane

13th May 2013

THE statistics are sobering. According to Beyondblue.org.au, one in eight men will have depression and one in five will experience anxiety at some stage in their lives. Although women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than men, men are less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of anxiety and depression going unrecognised and untreated. And before you think you can harden up and just get on with it, depression is a high risk factor for suicide and in Australia there are about 2200 suicides each year. Beyondblue.org.au says 80 per cent are by men, with an average of five men taking their lives every day. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 44 - much higher than the national road toll. Depression and anxiety are like any other medical condition – you need ways to get through them and stop them happening again later on. If you have depression or anxiety, you can’t just ‘snap out of it’ or ‘pull yourself together’. There’s more to it than that. Start by talking to someone you trust – keeping it to yourself only makes things worse. Discuss your situation

with a mate, partner, family member or a colleague. Your doctor is also a good source of information and can assess whether what you are feeling is depression or anxiety, and then work out an action plan with you if it is. Your action plan can cover a wide range of options. This plan can include exercise, stress management, how to improve your sleep and maybe working with a psychologist who can help you to address things like negative thinking and how to deal with hassles in your relationships. For some people, medication might also be necessary, but only if the depression or anxiety is severe or hasn’t improved with other treatments. In addition to all this, there are lots of things you can do to help yourself recover. Things like staying active and making plans for the day – they don’t have to be grand plans, just small things like going for a run or talking to a mate. It’s also important to look after your body by staying physically active, eating healthily and getting plenty of sleep. Try not to drink or take drugs to block out how you’re feeling and what is happening – this is not a positive solution and only makes the depression or anxiety worse. Source: www.beyondblue.org.au

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Still a buck in beds

THE consensus amongst accommodation operators across the coal and gas fields is that a report released last week suggesting revenues have fallen 20 per cent in mining hotspots is exaggerated. While acknowledging that there has been a correction in the coal fields, operators point out that the slowdown is just that, and that in CSG hubs like Gladstone, Dalby and Chinchilla demand for accommodation is rising. In 2010 Australia’s largest

accommodation park operator Discovery Holiday Parks begun buying mining camps, including spending $15 million on the Emerald Coalfields lodge. Today its chief executive Grant Wilckens said while there has been a correction in mining they are in no way abandoning the sector. “We are working with an industry that is ever changing, and occupancy levels fluctuate throughout the year,” Mr Wilckens said.

“Demand has shifted of late, however Discovery Parks is a national supplier of accommodation, so we are used to demand moving from region to region. “We are continuing to work closely with our core customers to ensure we are meeting their needs in each region.” According to the national accommodation barometer released by the Tourism and Transport Forum, revenue per available room in mining hotspots fell 10 per cent in the last part of 2012. Occupancy was down 7.1 per cent compared with the same period a year before. The report found the worst hit was Mackay, where revenues had fallen nearly 20 per cent. However motel operator Kelly Davidson, manager of the Alara Motor Inn in Mackay, told Shift Miner in February that operators remained optimistic. “Normally December and January are quieter months, but not to this extent,” she

said at the time. “There are fewer people coming through and normally if you called for a Tuesday or Wednesday booking you would need to book at least two weeks in advance.” “We’ve all been a bit cautious but we are optimistic that it will buck up again,” she said. Paul Constantinou, the chief executive of Quest, which owns serviced apartments in Mackay and Gladstone and is currently building a new project in Rockhampton, told the Australian the report has overstated the problem. “The lower end of the hotel market has been able to charge quite high room rates, but they are now seeing the value of their rooms are not holding,” he said. “The room rates that they were achieving are now coming back down to the market prices. “Sure new projects are slowing down, but we have gone through one of the biggest mining shifts in a long time,” he said.

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Use it or lose it

THE Gladstone Ports Corporation has given LNG Limited just two months to start using its leased site at Fisherman’s Landing in the harbour - or lose it. LNG Limited currently has the only mainland-based site available for the processing and export of CSG in Gladstone. But while it has a site, it doesn’t have any gas after its original supplier Arrow Energy was bought out by Shell in 2009. The proposed LNG train at Fisherman’s Landing requires 260 Terajoules (Tj) of gas a day to produce its capacity production of 1.5 million tonnes of LNG a year. LNG Ltd has been desperately trying to find gas suppliers, and has at various times been in discussions with Westside Corporation and Metgasco. LNG Ltd said it was optimistic about meeting the deadline.

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CSG water possible drought relief

Santos’ Mark McFarlane and Ree and Leon Price tasting CSG water at the start of the trial.

THE thin line of green luceana that cuts across Ree and Leon Price’s Mt Hope station north of Roma sits in bright contrast to an otherwise dry brown landscape. Once again the wheel of the

weather cycle has turned and country west and north of Roma is heading into what looks like a dry spell. Possibly even drought. But now for the first time, some graziers will have access to

a new weapon in the war against their perennial enemy - the dry: coal seam gas water and enough of it to irrigate. Last year Southern Downs mayor Ray Brown said the CSG

industry would extract 350 million litres of water a year, carrying an astonishing 52 million tonnes of salt. Removing the salt to then find a productive use for this water, on such a dry continent, has been a major issue for CSG producers. In 2009, the Price family and CSG company Santos established the aptly named Mt Hope pilot project. It was the first agreement of its kind in Queensland, establishing a partnership between a landholder and CSG producer to use wastewater from CSG production for agriculture. So with the first dry spell emerging since the establishment of a CSG sector, how successful has the trial been? “Well, we are not that involved in the actual irrigation side of things, so you would have to ask Santos how much water has been extracted,” Mr Price said. “It’s still really just a trial. It’s been a bit hit and miss. There has been an issue with the consistency of water supply because it is linked to the CSG production.”

“We planted some luceana in January after it was washed away with the floods and it’s up to nearly a metre high now. The water is regularly tested and the plants seem to love it.” Once treated, the water is used through a centre pivot irrigation system that covers 72 hectares and a sub-surface drip irrigation system that covers 133 hectares. No final date has been set for the trial’s completion, but Ree Price says she is hopeful it will move into a more commercial stage. “In our case, with irrigation on luceana, it has given us a drought hedge we can draw on during the dry times,” she said. “It’s allowed us to increase breeder numbers and increase our carrying capacity. We understand it’s a pilot project, so there are going to be problems like the water consistency one.” Ms Price said there was talk of establishing a reticulation pipeline that would take water from the wells to the CSG hub and then back along the same pipeline as treated water for irrigation and that could help supply issues.

Moranbah on measles alert THERE are concerns a Moranbah miner with measles could have passed on the highly contagious virus to other people. The miner tested positive for the virus after returning home from a recent trip to Asia. Queensland Health is now trying to locate anyone who may have come into contact with the man in the past two weeks. Public Health physician Dr Steven Donohue said the miner had contact with mine camp colleagues and some members of the public while he was contagious between April 25 to May 6. The man visited the Moranbah Medical Centre on Tuesday afternoon, April 30, and Thursday morning, May 2. Queensland Health and clinic staff are contacting people known to have been at the GP practice waiting room on those two dates. He was also in the dining room of Grosvenor Village camp at Moranbah for dinner on or around Wednesday, April 29, and Thursday, April 30, between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. “Queensland Health is asking anyone who may have been exposed to the virus to ensure they are protected against measles and to seek medical advice if symptoms develop,” Dr Donohue said. “Measles is one of the most infectious of all communicable diseases and

13th May 2013

is spread by tiny droplets through coughing and sneezing.” The initial symptoms are fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore, red eyes, followed a few days later by a blotchy red rash. The rash starts on the face then becomes widespread. “Symptoms usually start around 10 days after infection, but sometimes longer, so anyone who develops measles-like symptoms within the next month or two should ring their GP for advice,” said Dr Donohue. “Do not just walk into the waiting room.” A free vaccine is being offered to all Moranbah residents.

SYMPTOMS OF MEASLES: Fever Generally feeling unwell (malaise) Runny nose Dry cough Sore and red eyes (conjunctivitis) Red and bluish spots inside the mouth (Koplik’s spots) Red and blotchy skin rash that appears first on the face and hairline, then spreads to the body

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ANCAP and downturn claim first victim

Vehicles like this will not be allowed on BMA mine sites from 2016.

BMA’s new light-vehicle policy has thrown the vehicle leasing market into turmoil and has contributed to the closure of at least one mine vehicle accessory supplier. This month Minecorp in Rockhampton shut its doors and Minecorp Mackay has rebranded itself as Light Fleet Safety Solutions (LFSS). The decision in Mackay reflected a desire by the owners to diversify their business to ensure a wider range of the commercial market could be covered, however they will continue to sell Minecorp products.

Speaking about the closure Minecorp Australia national sales manager Bret Lashmar said the closures reflected a number of issues. “The current conditions in mining and BMA’s new lightvehicle policy both played a role,” he told Shift Miner. “Minecorp Rockhampton was an independently owned store using the Minecorp brand, so I am not able to comment on all the reasons behind the owners decision to close. “However, BMA was Rockhampton Minecorp’s biggest customer, and BMA’s new policy

[to only allow five-star ANCAP rated vehicles on site] had a bit to do with it.” “However our customers will continue to be able to get Minecorp products through our resellers such as Light Fleet Safety Solutions in Mackay and TJM in Rockhampton” Over the next three years, BMA is converting all its fleet and contractor light vehicles to five-star ANCAP rated vehicles. The changes are being phased in and all vehicles - including contractors - will have to meet the new safety benchmark by January 1, 2016. The decision has created a great deal of confusion and argument among car rental agencies and vehicle parts suppliers about whether it will make any miners safer. Currently almost all light vehicles used on mine sites are fitted with bull bars, many have upgraded suspension and some have added roll over protection systems (ROPS). Under the five-star ANCAP standard, only one bull bar is acceptable: the Ford-

manufactured bull bar for its Ranger fleet of vehicles. There is no ANCAP five-star standard bull bar that can be fitted to the popular Toyota Prado. Any adjustment to a vehicle’s suspension or the installation of ROPS will void the vehicle’s fivestar ANCAP rating. In an open letter to BMA contractors, executive director of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Stuart Charity has slammed the new light vehicle policy. Chief amongst the association’s concerns is that contractors travelling to and from mine sites will be made significantly less safe without bull bars fitted. “There is evidence that the likelihood of occupant injury as a result of animal strike is approximately 30 times higher in non-bull bar equipped vehicles,” he wrote. “Bull bars are extremely valuable, not only in terms of the physical safety provided in a collision, but in their prevention of associated ‘swerve to miss’ incidents.

“The light-vehicle policy was approved and implemented by the BHP Billiton executive management without any consultation with employees, contractors or the unions. “It appears that the only way to facilitate a sensible change in position will be coordinated and widespread opposition from impacted stakeholders.” Mining union the CFMEU also remained unconvinced the new safety regime offers enough protection during rollover accidents. “BMA are not fitting internal or external roll bars to these new vehicles and so I have asked them to show that they meet the same standard of protection as prior to the change,” CFMEU safety representative Greg Dalliston told Shift Miner recently. “So far none of the material they have sent me show they meet the same standards. I am not interested in airbags. I want to know about the standard of the roof. “ANCAP might be good enough on the road, but these are off-road vehicles, and I am not convinced they have everything we need.”

heights

13th May 2013

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Study puts FIFO kids in spotlight IT’S not just the resources industry that’s focusing more on a fly-in, fly-out or drive-in, drive-out workforce. This is part of the changing nature of work life in Queensland and means that working parents face a range of challenges and pressures raising their families. How does this affect children? The Working Parents Research Project, based at The University of Queensland’s Parenting and Family

13th May 2013

Support Centre, aims to find out. It is investigating the impact that FIFO or DIDO work has on children and families in Queensland. Chief investigator Cassy Dittman said the mining boom had produced vast changes in the work arrangements of many parents, and mining lifestyles often increased parenting challenges. “The FIFO/DIDO work life is associated with potentially

stressful lifestyle disruptions, including prolonged absences for workers from their partners and children, long work hours under often difficult work conditions, and large amounts of time spent commuting between work and home,” said Dr Dittman. “Despite the increasing prevalence of these work practices, very little has been done to determine the family impact of this lifestyle or to

provide tailored support to these families. Dr Dittman said information from the research project would be used to develop a parenting support program designed for FIFO/DIDO families. “It is hoped that providing effective family support might help to buffer any adverse effects of these work practices on families,” she said. The research team is keen to

hear from any working parents with a child aged between two and 12 years and especially from FIFO/ DIDO workers and their partners. The first phase of the project is a 30 to 45 minute survey open to all working parents. The second phase involves focus groups with FIFO/DIDO workers and their partners. For more information or to take part visit https://exp.psy. uq.edu.au/workingparents/

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Wall collapse closes mine Cotton and coal together

Photo: AAP

A DUMP truck and digger were the only casualties when a highwall collapsed at Anglo American’s Dawson mine last Friday night. The heavy machinery was partially buried in debris when the wall came down. A team of specialist investigators are now combing the site of what is the most serious incident at a Queensland coal mine this year. “It was fortunate no mine personnel were injured,” said chief inspector of coal mines Gavin Taylor. “Two vehicles parked in the area of a surface highwall at the mine were

damaged by falling rock. “Queensland government mines inspectors were notified and immediately issued a directive suspending all production and excavations at the mine while the cause of the collapse is investigated.” While a senior inspector was on site on Monday, he has now been joined by a team with specialist skills. “We have also deployed an investigator and specialist inspectors with geotechnical and open-cut mining expertise who will play a key role in establishing the causes of the highwall collapse,” said Mr Taylor. “They will conduct a geotechnical examination of the highwall and ensure an effective investigation directly related to the wall failure, which is geotechnical in nature. CFMEU safety representative Greg Dalliston is also on site today and said Anglo is lucky no one was seriously hurt. “Anglo should have controls in place to stop that happening,” he said. While the entire mine was shut down after the rockfall, normal production and excavation has now resumed in other areas of the mine. Mr Taylor said Dawson mine management and the site senior safety executive were assisting government inspectors with their investigation.

MINING companies say cotton and coal can co-exist in Central Queensland, despite a new report that finds mining subsidence is inevitable and destroys irrigated farmland. Cotton Australia commissioned the report, which found that subsidence de-stabilises the soil and could also pollute critical water sources. It also found the impact of subsidence was hard to predict and spreads beyond the boundaries of the mined area. Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Keys said the report means there should be more scrutiny and research on the impact of subsidence on prime agricultural land. “This research clearly demonstrates you can’t have mining under key agricultural areas without some form of subsidence impact,” Mr Kay said. “It is of great concern to cotton growers and other farmers that mining activity in Australia is at an all-time high, and yet forecasting the impacts of mining is so imprecise.” “It is important to note that on-farm agriculture infrastructure is not alone from the threat of mining subsidence. In Queensland, the gravity-fed irrigation infrastructure assets of SunWater, which are government-owned, are also jeopardised in the Emerald district.

“Until there is clear evidence to the contrary, we call on mining companies and governments to recognise the risks from mining – particularly longwall and bord and pillar operations.” But the Queensland Resources Council’s (QRC) chief executive Michael Roche said there is no question the two industries can coexist. “Up for debate are the two questions. First, can the effects of subsidence be managed; and secondly, is it clear that if there is an impact, that the coal industry will be held responsible? “To both questions, the QRC contends the answer is yes,” he said. Mr Roche said the coal industry already accepts that scrutiny on irrigated country will be more intense. He said calls for total bans were generally made by people who didn’t understand how the industry is regulated or the level of investment made in land rehabilitation. “It is traditional practice for mining companies to buy properties where their target resource is located, and if necessary, create an additional buffer to isolate them from surrounding activities. “Property boundaries are determined topside, not by the location of economically recoverable resources that have a much smaller footprint.”

13th May 2013

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Boulder to boost CQ business

WHEN Boulder Steel rode into Gladstone last week to talk about its proposed $4 billion Gladstone Steel Plant Project, the message was loud and clear: it wants local business. The company met with 40 local businesses and outlined how local companies and contractors could form consortia to deliver

13th May 2013

eight main construction packages and longer term maintenance contracts in operations. The Gladstone Engineering Alliance’s general manager, Carli Hobbs, said this was the first time a project of this sort had shown a preference to work with local businesses.

“It is great to see a company coming into the Gladstone region and starting these conversations before the project starts,” she told Shift Miner. “Boulder Steel thinks locals have the capacity to build this plant.” In the past, companies have arrived in Gladstone after the project gets the go-ahead and then contracted Tier One companies to build infrastructure, shutting local businesses out. “It is now up to Gladstone businesses to work together and take up the opportunity and run with it,” she said. The Gladstone Engineering Alliance (GEA) had been in discussions with Boulder Steel for 18 months about local involvement. “The company spoke to its Chinese backers and then four weeks ago announced it wanted to work this way.” The project submitted its environmental impact statement in February and is waiting to hear back from the coordinator general. If it gets the green light, it will be built on 700 hectares of the Gladstone State Development Area

near Mt Larcom, which lies 25 kilometres north-west of Gladstone. The plant would produce five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of high-quality steel in slab form for export to overseas markets. “Its location also means Rockhampton companies should start to look at becoming a part of this,” Ms Hobbs said. “The opportunities are there.” The project would see 2000 people employed during the 30-month construction and once built, 1300 permanent staff and 500 contractors. “The benefit of the proposal is that five out of the eight packages will have the option to carry out maintenance for five years, with another option to renew this for 50 years. “Most of the money is in maintenance,” Ms Hobbs said. Boulder Steel also wants to employ locals and avoid flyin, fly-out. “The biggest thing now is that members who were present need to use the GEA’s support to get the best delivery. It will come down to how proactive they are,” Ms Hobbs said.

Good news for fitters A few green shoots are beginning to appear in the mining labour market as mining companies push on with top tier projects. Last week BMA awarded Mackaybased G&S Engineering a $140 million contract for work on the company’s Hay Point coal terminal expansion. The contract is expected to generate around 300 jobs in the electrical, fitting and rigging trades. Managing director for G&S Engineering Mick Crowe told local media the contract would bring skills back into the coal sector. “What it allows us to do is continue to grow the capabilities of G&S in the region as well as supporting major coal clients,” he said. “In an environment where there’s been less work around, it will allow us to bring workers back into the workforce who have been under-utilised. So it’s very positive to get things going back on a forward footing.” Meanwhile, there are rumours that major crane and earthmoving contractor Liebherr will increase its staff to 400 fitters over the next six months. Shift Miner also understands some major recruitment agencies have a several campaigns in wings over the coming months.

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Gladstone gives but state takes

GLADSTONE is a town that needs help. This is despite three major LNG projects being built on Curtis Island, the construction of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal and the normal hubbub of coal being shipped from its busy port. Yet it has been snubbed by the Queensland government’s Royalties for Regions program and is set to lose a $4 million dividend from its water board. “You can’t have this amount of construction going on and it have no impact,” Mayor Gail Sellers told Shift Miner. “Gladstone is experiencing the most growth, and it is suffering. There needs to be some recognition of this.” It may be the engine of the

state, but the cost of living is 30 per cent higher than other areas according to the mayor. “You can see our concerns our roads, intersections, hospitals and services are under stress because of the number of people living here,” Ms Sellers said. “We need help.” Last week, the Premier Campbell Newman announced plans to potentially lease Gladstone port, a move Ms Sellers has described as short-sighted and devastating to the community. But Mr Newman says it’s the reality of getting the state budget back on track. “As I go round this state I still find, I am afraid, people that still want us to spend money that the government doesn’t have on new

projects,” he said. In another blow for the port city, the state government announced last month that it will be keeping a dividend normally paid to the council from the local water authority. The state-owned Gladstone Area Water Board normally pays dividends to the council when its profits reach a certain level. Last year it paid the council $1 million and this year the council should be receiving $4 million. But that money will be staying in state coffers. Whenever the state government is under fire for making cuts in regional Queensland, it points to its Royalties for Regions program as the way for regional centres to access funding for projects. But there’s no guarantee Gladstone will receive any funding under the program. It didn’t even make the shortlist in the first round of funding. The council’s submission was for a $40 million project that included upgrades to Phillips Street, a youth centre, affordable housing, a retirement village and a community advisory service. “We want this place to be a great place to live,” Ms Sellers said. The majority of Royalties for Regions funding has so far gone to

1200 walk off Curtis Island ABOUT 1200 workers contracted by construction company Bechtel walked off Curtis Island a fortnight ago after an ongoing dispute over ‘excessive’ travel times. Shift Miner understands the issue came to a head when new ferry times started this week. Two ferries operate for two LNG companies, and in the past their arrival and departure times had been staggered to prevent congestion in the carpark.

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However, the new timetable, which had been modified for the later sunrise, once again saw the ferries arriving and departing at the same time. The Australian Workers Union (AWU) has declined to comment on the walkout and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has not returned calls. Travel times have been an ongoing issue between workers and Bechtel, which has been

contracted to build three huge LNG plants on the island off Gladstone. In April, unions representing Curtis Island workers took their travel grievances to the Fair Work Commission, which recommended Bechtel meet with the unions for talks. AMWU representative Phil Golby told the media that workers were desperate to resolve issues around excessive travel times and public holiday payments. Workers are currently

towns in south-west Queensland. Shift Miner asked Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jeff Seeney why Gladstone had missed out. He said 13 councils lodged proposals for 71 projects at a cost of $260 million in the first round of the program, which showed the extent of the ‘catch-up’ necessary across regional Queensland. “Unfortunately the dire financial circumstances left by the Bligh government meant only $60 million could be allocated this financial year for Royalties for the Regions,” he said. “Spending for the pilot round was directed to the areas with the most pressing problems, where the biggest cumulative impact of resource sector development impacts on communities.” Ms Sellers said her council will be putting in another submission for the next rounds. “I am anxious about getting funding and we will get the best submission,” she said. “Few regions are feeling the growth that Gladstone is.” “We’ve worked hard on our infrastructure and now we are being punished for doing so well [by missing out on funding].”

compensated more than $70 a day for travel to and from Curtis Island, but Mr Golby said travel times had blown out for many workers as the project had grown. “The site leadership has met with employees and we are working to establish the best possible solution,” said Bechtel Gladstone general manager Kevin Berg. “We will continue to monitor our travel program in order to minimise impacts as much as possible.”

Show me the money

Gladstone Mayor Gail Sellers.

GLADSTONE has had no Royalties for Regions funding, its losing its water dividend and it has not been allowed to access $13.5 million set aside for it by LNG companies. But there is a glimmer of hope. The council may be able to get access the $13.5 million from the Gladstone Foundation in the next few months. The foundation was set up in 2010 to receive voluntary payments from LNG proponents and major companies to meet the Gladstone Region’s social infrastructure needs. APLNG, QGC and GLNG had made payments into the fund last year, yet the State Government has not allowed the council access. But the government has said it will now allow the council to have access to the funds. And there are some positive changes in the community. “Gladstone has come over the hill,” Mayor Gail Sellers said. “Rents are coming down and the drag isn’t coming from Curtis Island anymore.” The council had a 25 per cent turnover of staff and that has now come down to 10 per cent. Other service industries - police, health and education - were also feeling the pressure. “Businesses were struggling as people were going to the island, where you are looking at making $150,000. You can’t blame people to making the move. “But a lot of people are coming back because of the lifestyle.”

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Better late than never

(Centre) Isaac Regional Council’s chief executive Terry Dodds, BMA asset president Stephen Dumble and Mayor Anne Baker at the opening ceremony.

THE accommodation crisis may be over in the Bowen Basin, but that didn’t stop the delivery of 16 units

to Moranbah and Dysart last week. The delivery is part of a partnership between local government and

industry set up in 2010 to provide affordable accommodation in these two communities.

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

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Motor sport, boating and leisure

Isaac Regional Council, the Isaac Affordable Housing Trust and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) had an official opening ceremony to celebrate the delivery of the units for low to medium income earners. Moranbah has three duplexes and two triplexes and Dysart has two duplexes. “This successful project was made possible through a $5 million funding commitment from BMA and a $1.36 million land contribution and further development costs funded by the [Housing Trust], all facilitated by Isaac Regional Council,” Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said. Council established the Housing Trust in 2010, by way of a loan, including land and seed capital, totalling $6.7 million, to tackle the issue of housing affordability in the Isaac region. “This project clearly demonstrates Council’s commitment to work with industry to deliver housing for families and single people that is

Moranbah gets spring in its step

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affordable,” Ms Baker said. BMA asset president Stephen Dumble said BMA has a longstanding commitment to building housing and accommodation across the company’s communities. “We know that access to quality and affordable accommodation is a key priority for communities like Moranbah and Dysart, particularly for workers who are needed to support the delivery of health and medical services and childcare and those employed in local businesses. The Housing Trust’s director and Isaac Regional Council chief executive Terry Dodds said the trust has made a commitment to the community to look towards the supply of affordable housing in a number of towns. “To date with the assistance of such partners as the Isaac Regional Council, BMA and Rio Tinto, the Trust has completed construction on 22 properties under the National Rent Affordability Scheme (NRAS).”

THE mining downturn may not be such good news for the Queensland economy, but it has breathed new life into some Bowen Basin communities. Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker told Shift Miner she had noticed a change over the past months. More families and young people were moving into Moranbah and with that there was a new vibrancy, she said. “Given that the industry is doom and gloom, it does seem as though the community has rallied together,” she said. “You don’t just curl up and not do anything. We have got to keep going and we seem to be.” Mayor Baker said she noticed more

people attending community events and a recent park opening saw between 1200 and 1600 people. With rents dropping as low as $350 a week - something that would have been unheard of a year ago - Moranbah is becoming affordable. One resident, who declined to be named, said the town is now seeing people it had never attracted before. “The only people who have come here are those who were able to afford the accommodation and already had a job,” she said. Now people are turning up to the town and looking for work once they arrive - and usually finding it. Another positive to come out of the correction in mining is that reduced rosters have translated into increased sporting participation. Sporting teams have complained that the 12-hour shift, introduced in the late 1990s, made it virtually impossible for many miners to play footy on the weekend. This is particularly the case in Blackwater, where Curragh mine changed its rosters. President of the Blackwater Crushers League Club Chris Johnson told Shift Miner they are getting a few more players. “So far this season we have had really good numbers,” he said.

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Capricornia becomes economic engine

Aquila steps forward after two steps back

resources sector supported by our growing service sector and higher educational facilities in Rockhampton, ” Ms Carroll said. “There are no decreases in any part of our region, only growth, with our percentage growth ahead of Mackay, Townsville and the Sunshine Coast.” Ms Carroll said these latest statistics prove that Central Queensland is the economic powerhouse in the state right now and for the next decade and beyond. “Our opportunities are endless,” she said

THE future of the Aquila Resources owned Washpool and Tallwood coking coal projects is unclear following a Japanese steel-maker’s decision not to invest in the two coal mines. Sumitomo had entered into a deal with Aquila last year to look at buying a stake in the two Bowen Basin projects, subject to an independent valuation. The Washpool project has 108.3 million tonnes of proved and probable resources. Collectively the two mines have about 440 million tonnes of inferred and indicated coal resources. Given the downturn in coal prices, however, the valuation of the two tenements came in at just under $109 million and Sumitomo chose not to buy. Despite that setback, Aquila is pushing ahead with its other Bowen Basin projects after two other mine sales delivered the company over half a billion dollars in cash over the past six months. Mid last year, Aquila sold its 50 per cent share in the Isaac Plains coal mine to Sumitomo for $430 million. In February this year the company received $170 million from Vale for its stake in the Belvedere coking coal project. Executive chairman of the company Tony Poli said Aquila was now well positioned to develop the Eagle Downs project.

FAST FACTS: Growth in Queensland from 2011 to 2012 1.9 per cent increase Growth in Rockhampton LGA 2.7 per cent increase, population up by 3,016 persons from 112,383 to 115,399

THE Capricornia region looks to be the economic powerhouse and growth centre of Queensland, according to ABS residential population figures released yesterday. All major centres in Central Queensland reflect strong growth, with the Rockhampton region - including Gracemere and the Capricorn Coast - recording a strong growth of 2.7 per cent, more than double the average growth rate for the state of Queensland. The figures are for the 12 months to June last year. “The fact that the Rockhampton/Capricorn

Coast region has recorded a higher percentage growth (2.7 per cent) than Mackay (2.6 per cent) is truly encouraging,” said Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll. “Gracemere and Yeppoon are showing incredible residential growth, which complements the business and industry growth within our CQ capital of Rockhampton.” Even Mount Morgan has welcomed 15 new residents. “Emerald also has one of the highest percentage growth rates at 5.3 per cent, which reflects strong growth in the

The largest increases in the Rockhampton LGA area are: Gracemere 4.8 per cent increase, population up by 431 persons from 9,065 to 9,496 Yeppoon 3.8 per cent increase, population up by 631 persons from 16,798 to 17,429 Other Central Queensland LGA areas are also very strong: Central Highlands LGA 3.4 per cent, up by 1,012 persons to 30,545 Gladstone LGA 3.0 per cent, up by 1,768 persons to 61,170 Mackay LGA 2.6 per cent, up by 3,042 persons to 118,719

Safety spat winds up in front of inspectorate

HUNDREDS of workers at Saraji mine walked off the job a fortnight ago after a safety spat between a safety representative and a supervisor. They were ordered back to work several hours later by the Fair Work Commission, and now the mines inspectorate is investigating the incident. According to the union, the site safety and health representative (SSHR) had asked his supervisor to carry out a prearranged inspection of the washplant and coal handling facilities.

“He was told he wasn’t allowed to leave his job,” CFMEU national secretary Andrew Vickers said. “After a considerable amount of time being harassed, harangued and verbally denigrated, he then went off to see his SSE to report what had happened and that’s when he was physically stopped.” According to Mr Vickers, the supervisor grabbed the SSHR by the shoulder and pulled him towards him. “I think this was more than a personality clash. I think the supervisor is part of a wider corporate culture at BMA,” said Mr Vickers. “There is a battle being waged by BMA against safety representatives, and through the Queensland Resources Council they are lobbying the government to review the act and curtail their powers, in particular, their ability to be able to suspend all operations at a mine.” Mr Vickers said he has asked the Queensland Mines Commissioner to investigate the incident. “I wouldn’t do that if I thought it was an isolated event,” he said. BMA has confirmed the incident took place, but won’t comment further on it until after the investigation is complete. 13th May 2013

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FIFO could hit 34,000 in 2019

Future projects in the Bowen and Galilee Basins.

THE number of fly-in fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in drive-out (DIDO) workers in Bowen Basin could reach more than

34,000 by 2019, according to new figures released by the Queensland Treasury. Non-resident workers

are not included in official population estimates carried out by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, making it difficult for councils and governments to plan infrastructure and services for areas like the Bowen and Galilee Basins. To bridge the information gap, the Queensland Treasury now provides projected numbers of non-resident workers in those local government areas. The projections are based on several different scenarios: Series A - based on the the number of non-resident workers as at June 2012 and all future expansions or downsizing of those workforces as advised by resource companies. It also includes the construction and operational workforces of projects that have reached final investment decision (FID) and have begun building at the time of the report. Series B - includes the Series A projection plus projected growth from projects

that have an EIS approved, but are yet to reach FID. Series C - includes Series A and B projections plus the projected growth from projects that have lodged an EIS, but have not received final government approval. Series D - includes Series A, B and C projections plus the projected growth from projects that have yet to publish an EIS. Based on current workforce numbers only (Series A), the nonresident worker population in the Bowen Basin is expected to decrease slightly from 25,040 in 2012 and stabilise around 21,200 after 2016. However, Series D, which represents the cumulative growth of all proposed projects, would see the non-resident population reach 34,250. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Isaac region that will continue to have the highest number of FIFO and DIDO workers in the Bowen Basin, thanks to the concentration of existing and future mining projects in the area. While Series

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13th May 2013

A and B projections show the non-resident population for Isaac may fall below the 2012 estimate of 17,130 by 2019, Series 3 and 4 projections indicate that it could increase to 17,460 and 24,760 respectively. Meanwhile in the Central Highlands region the nonresident population is likely to fall below the 2012 estimate of 5,580 people by 2019. According to the report, this decline was influenced by the completion of mine expansions, mine closures, and the relatively small number of new projects in advanced stages of planning. The report also notes that construction of rail and pipeline projects in the Galilee and Surat Basins are likely to influence temporary peaks in the nonresident population of some Bowen Basin areas. The sizeable FIFO/DIDO workforces of these projects will shift location according to construction schedules, and will largely impact the Isaac, Banana, and Whitsunday regions.

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Innovation alive and kicking with uni collaboration

RST’s David Handel, Proof Engineers’ Sebastian Karsas and civil engineering students Keegan Neal, Jordan Handel and Billy O’Leary.

WHILE there have been cutbacks to research and innovation lately, this has not stopped one engineering company teaming up with a dust solution company and a group of university students. Gold Coast-based engineering company Proof Engineers and Reynolds Soil Technologies (RST) partnered with Griffith University engineering students to create a mobile dust monitor. Proof Engineers engineering director Sebastian Karsas said the new dust monitoring system would provide an automatic and costeffective solution to accurately monitor dust levels on a regular basis. “The use of mobile dust monitoring has been briefly touched on, but has never been extensively refined for mining purposes,” Mr Karsas said. This is a part of Proof Engineers and RST first industry affiliate program where three undergraduate civil engineering students from Griffith University attend the workplace five days a week. Proof Engineers and RST had identified the need to accurately measure dust control efficiency on mine sites without the common interference of human subjectivity. They created the project to design, develop and test an innovative mobile dust-monitoring system that automatically calculates dust levels, generates quantitative data regarding optimum watering times and highlights areas onsite that require immediate attention. “We decided to take this concept and design a monitoring system for use on mine sites, as measuring dust levels generally requires a vast amount of human interpretation therefore limiting complete accuracy when obtaining results,” Mr Karsas said. Civil Engineering students Keegan Neal, Jordan Handel and Billy O’Leary assisted with the final development of the cuttingedge, semi-automated dust monitoring system that can effectively measure dust concentrations on mine, quarry and construction sites worldwide. The dust monitor can be easily fitted to any mine site vehicle to continually record data during the mines regular operational

routine. It will be sent for official testing in the coming weeks to a major Queensland mine site operated by one of the world’s leading mining companies. With most mine sites required to consistently achieve 80–100 per cent dust control efficiency at all times, “Our dust monitoring system is the first of its kind for the mining industry and has been designed to effectively remove human subjectivity by automatically calculating relative data that will help quantify the effectiveness of controlling dust emissions onsite,” Mr Karsas said When dust passes through the monitor, quantitative data regarding current levels is accessed via internet database with the use of 3G web and GPS integration. This data is used to create a graphic representation of the dust levels, and dust control strategies can then be implemented where necessary. Mr Karsas said the dust monitor was not only efficient, but could be easily transported and handled, loaded and unloaded by one person. Additionally, the device is completely weatherproof as well as fully self-powered and has a constant intake velocity to ensure dust can pass through the monitor while the vehicle operates at alternate speeds. In conjunction with the dust monitor, Proof and RST have also designed a road condition monitor that can evaluate road deterioration and determine hotspots for grading. The Road Condition Monitor alerts the mine site managers where and when the road needs to be graded – providing savings in grader use and allowing mine sites to maintain an optimum pit condition, ensuring dump truck operation is carried out in a minimum rolling resistance environment. RST operations and technical director David Handel said the development of the cutting-edge dust monitoring system and road condition monitor now means RST can provide validated and automatic testing of its dust control and haul road products on mine sites worldwide. “Previously, it has been extremely challenging and time consuming to successfully validate the effectiveness of products onsite,” Mr Handel said.

13th May 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Around Town

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MAY DAY

It mightn’t be a long weekend anymore, but Blackwater still celebrated Labour Day with a community day of games and rides for the kids (and adults!).

Lisa Madson and Tammy Ingram

Taylor Meredith and Demi and Bree Atkinson

Jamie and Cohan Newson

Sienna Booker

Lachlan Bach

Karla Petersen and Caitlin Lee

Terrence Adams Junior

Mick Lancaster leads his team 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.

13th May 2013

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Around Town

LEST WE FORGET

The small Central Queensland town of Blackwater remembered Australian servicemen and women past and present on ANZAC Day.

Chris Charlie and Colby Oleman

The Freeman Family

(L-R) Marie, Jayden and Roy “Doc” Savage OAM

Some of the returned servicemen and women

Buy this and many other images at

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together 13th May 2013

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From THE EDITOR

The dark side of the resources industry I JUST read a very alarming statistic. According to the OzHelp Foundation, the suicide rates amongst mining and construction workers are up to 70 per cent higher than the national average. The Foundation, which focuses on suicide prevention in the workplace, has been working with the mining industry in Western Australia over the past few years. It says workers in this industry are more at risk because of its maledominated culture, that there is bullying in many workplaces and drug and alcohol abuse isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rare. This is exacerbated by the mining camp lifestyle, where you are living side-by-side, working 12-hours shifts for weeks at a time away from your family and friends. It is not helped by the macho culture, where instead of getting support, you are probably told to take a dose of cement and harden up. This attitude is often reinforced by the general public. When articles are published in mainstream media, reader sentiment is usually that those who choose to work in the resources industry and collect the big pay packets should put up or shut up. This attitude needs to change, and it is - slowly. Dr Jennifer Bowers, who runs the Australasian Centre for Rural and Mental Health, is a great advocate of mental health in the mining industry. In our

cover story, she says one in three miners will experience mental illness each year. What is of great concern is that not one mining company in Australia has a mental health policy or adheres to it. Western Australia is recognising mental health as a concern, but Queensland is lagging behind and it makes no sense. While you would want a company to care for the welfare of its employees, there is also the economic argument: poor mental health can have a significant impact on production. Meanwhile, the Queensland resources industry needs to get up and do its bit and follow Western Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead. According to a study of mine sites carried out by the Queensland University of Technology, what makes a resilient workforce is one that has quality time with family, adequate sleep, and camaraderie on site between workmates and respect for bosses. Industry canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford to sit back and do nothing. And neither can you. There is help available at www. beyondblue.org.au or Ozhelp.org.au. To get support for your whole family, there is Miningfamilymatters.com. Inga StĂźnzner Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

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SLAMS are replacing SOPs as they are a mini contract. If something happens during a task (God forbid a death), then you have written a formal contract stating that you have identified a risk and still proceeded. Regardless of the fact that a SLAM is about identifying, then mitigating that risk, a worker has still proceeded with the task and in a court of law the company will hang you out to dry to save their arse. The rating is open to interpretation and what the SLAM rating is and what a lawyer thinks will be two different things, especially if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a company lawyer. They will argue you were trained and inducted as to how to perform a SLAM and that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the workerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fault for not assessing the risk well enough. That removes the liability from the company for providing a safe working environment. Better off not writing one as to bind the company to a situation to prevent being hung out to dry. Anyway Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just taken a sh*t in the time I wrote this so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m off to submit my SLAM to the boss. Interesting reading the negative safety coverage in your magazine. I have spent 20-plus years in mining, forestry and construction. I got into the safety game in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;good old daysâ&#x20AC;?. Back then we were hurting and even killing people on a far too

frequent basis. Yes there are safety nazis out there but they are few and far between. Most businesses will move them on pretty quickly as they are detrimental to all. Real safety people are â&#x20AC;&#x153;off the floorâ&#x20AC;?, have relevant experience and have got involved because, although it is much harder than sitting back and mouthing off, there is a great satisfaction in helping to see your mates go home to their families after work.

I have just read your article with regards to the onerous processes pertinent to mining and am absolutely in agreement with the intent of the point you are making. I have a mining, civil, WHS background and have now moved into training for supply chain to the industry we speak of and am well conversant with the issues. The only point I would make in relation to the issues raised is that we are pointing the finger at the policy makers when in fact the Coal Act and regulation is prescriptive in its intent and has been built on the back of lessons learnt (well-meaning but reactive). It has forced coal mining, in particular, to act in a compliant nature as opposed to, for instance, the new harmonisation legislation, which has broadened its intent to become more self-regulatory, therefore is asking for assessments on the risks to be determined based on their own business and is collaborative in its approach. The only way to change miningâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s response to the legislation is to change the legislation? Karren Zillman, Training & Development manager at MAIN

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Our recent editions featuring front page stories on the safety culture of mining is TAYLOR S still resonating with readers. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what SOLICITO RS you have to say on the subject: LAW

local news

Locally Owned

to the Editor I have been in the mining industry for 15 years and I am only 33 years old but have seen many changes in this time. I believe that the industry has been made idiot-proof, and as soon as you remove one of the safety barriers thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when accidents happen. Workers are not made to think about what they are doing now because all the safety rules protect them. This mentality has been created by the industry.

t source of

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Off Shift

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Frank the Tank’s Dear Frank,

My girlfriend’s brother called us and asked if he could stay for a couple of days and we said no problem. That was a month ago. Don’t get me wrong. I like the guy and everything, but he’s essentially freeloading. He eats all our food and doesn’t put any money towards it, and lately he’s been inviting his weirdo friends around. How can I give him the flick without upsetting him or my girlfriend? Pete, Emerald I’m sorry to say you’ve got yourself a squatter here, Pete. And I should know - I invented the modern-day squat! Have you ever heard that urban legend

about the family who bought a house and discovered the previous owner was still living upstairs in the ceiling? That’s actually based on my life, although the legend doesn’t mention the cameras in the shower. And in reality I wasn’t caught in the ceiling, but rifling through the new owner’s lingerie drawer. I gave up my freeloading ways a long time ago, though, when I discovered there was more money in scamming. Speaking of which, if anyone out there is looking to invest, email your credit card number and bank details to frank@ shiftminer.com. Now, if you want to solve your problem, Pete, you’re going to have to get into the mind of the squatter. The first thing you must understand is that a squatter feels no embarrassment and is unable to comprehend any derivative of the word ‘impose’. You could be making love to your wife on the kitchen table. An experienced

Fair Dinkum!

“Streakin” good love advice

squatter would have no qualms about going to the fridge, making a sandwich, sitting at the opposite end of the table and offering advice on technique. Forget about dropping subtle hints as well. To a squatter, the words: “So, when do you think you’ll be leaving?” sound like, “Sir, please stay indefinitely and take advantage of the ample food and beverage supply.” If I were you, I’d take the easy way out. Lace some of the food in the fridge with sleeping pills, and when your freeloading brother-in-law goes for his next snack he’ll receive an impromptu visit from the sandman. Bundle him into the back of your car, drive him out to the middle of nowhere and set him free. You can tell your girlfriend that he left of his own accord, and given his vagrant lifestyle she probably won’t think anything of it. You’ll just have to hope he hasn’t told any other squatters about your generous hospitality or you could be overrun.

After that there’s only one option. And believe me, you don’t want to live with constant guilt of having a mass squatter grave in your backyard.

by rocket scientist Hermann Oberth as a way to create sunshine on demand; however Oberth later acknowledged the mirror could act as the ‘ultimate weapon’.

retrieve a dinghy when the two metre croc attacked and latched onto his head. After punching it repeatedly and managing to escape, the croc came back for a second attack, but was once again foiled by the fighting Frenchman, who miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. The man was reportedly unphased by the attack, laughing about it when he made it back to the safety of the main vessel.

IN THE US - A paralysed man

has given new meaning to the phrase ‘thumbs up’ after learning to orgasm when a woman caresses his thumb. A year after an accident that left him a quadriplegic, the man claims he now experiences a similar sensation when his thumb is touched to what he once did when his penis was touched. A sex therapist who specialises in helping people with disabilities enjoy sex says what the man experiences is known as a ‘transfer orgasm’.

This has nothing to do with the Frenchman who was bitten by a saltwater croc in Northern Queensland. Rather, this is an image from possibly the second worst movie ever made (after Big Foot): Mega-shark versus Crocasaurus.

FROM GERMANY - A long-

lost magazine article from 1945 has revealed a Nazi plot to place a giant mirror in space, which would turn the sun into a deadly weapon. It sounds like the hair-brained scheme

of a cartoon super villain, but the Germans thought the huge mirror would be able to concentrate the sun’s rays and fry cities from space or boil part of the ocean. The giant mirror was originally conceived

IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY - A Frenchman has

proven he’s as tough as nails after being bitten on the head by a saltwater crocodile and escaping by punching it repeatedly. The man was swimming off the coast to

Frank

SENSIBLE SUSAN Pete, I think in this situation you’re just going to have to talk to your girlfriend first and tell her that you think it’s time for her brother to move on. Once you get your girlfriend onside, it should be much easier to give her brother his marching papers. Honestly, though, I wouldn’t be too worried about hurting his feelings. It sounds as though he’s taking advantage of your hospitality and it’s time to put your foot down.

Susan

IN ITALY - Police found gold

ingots worth more than A$5.8 million under the backseat of a family car headed for Switzerland. The family was driving through the alps when they were stopped by police for a routine check. After the driver of the car became increasingly nervous during questioning, the police decided to check the car more thoroughly, discovering the gold bars hidden under the back seat. Gold smuggling from Italy to Switzerland is apparently on the increase, with Italian authorities cracking down on tax evasion and money laundering.

13th May 2013

CAR FOR SALE

BOAT FOR SALE

78 XC FALCON GS UTE

Offshore Marine Master 2012 Mac5 Cuddy.

250 Alloy head Crossflow on straight LPG, Supercharged with Raptor V-L blower, T5 gearbox, 9\” Diff, 3.7:1 Ratio, Disc Brakes, Regretful sale

$27,500 ono Phone: 0428 344 437 CAR FOR SALE 2008 TOYOTA AVENSIS VERSO 68000 Ks, 4 doors 7 seats, 4 cyl. A1 condition. New tyres. Complied 2009 Rear nudge-bar. Full logs. All Toyota serviced. Always kept undercover. With 7 seats there’s plenty of space for the whole family. $21,900 NEG Phone: 0413 913 042

CAR FOR SALE 2010 TOYOTA HILUX Mine Spec, BMA Thiess Mac Coal Certified, New 265 Maxxis Iron Mud Tires, ADB Bull Bar, 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

$40,000 Phone: 0421 000 789 BOAT FOR SALE 2008 BAJA26 OUTLAW LUXURY PERFORMANCE POWERBOAT AS NEW 496ci Magnum HO Mercruiser 70mph 4 Blade Prop Aluminium Tandem Trailer Toilet, Cabin, Bunks, Seating Custom Upholstery, Graphics $95,000 ono Phone: 0414 330 803 DINGHY FOR SALE

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

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

CAR FOR SALE Immaculate Holden

WM 2007 model. V6 auto immaculate condition 94,000k.

$22,990 ono

Perfect sideline income

$320,000 neg

Phone: 0407 373 664 CAR FOR SALE VS CLUBSPORT

At Mackay Airport on Thursday 7th March around 3pm. Lost at security Screening Area. $200 reward offered. If you have any information please contact MACKAY POLICE on

Phone: 0419 788 599

0409 265 027

HOUSE/LAND FOR SALE

LAND FOR SALE

NORTH OF YEPPOON

Get Tax advantages as a Primary Producer!

Exhaust System 2.5 Inch $500 4x Standard GXL

steering pump,new water pump,new front

$50 5 Dunlop Tyres 265/70R16 111RLT $250 Full

great condition

Suspension Front Coil, Rear Leaf & Shockies $1000

$8,500 ono

LIGHTNING 7mtr Alloy Walk-around, Twin 90hp E-Techs with

$75,000 ono Phone: 0417 704 369

$48,000 Phone: 0413 501 222

CAMPER FOR SALE TOP-FORM insulated alloy camper,

very low hrs, Vessel

fits into 1.8mt. tray, fully equipped, only need food

and safe, with all possible extras.

and personal gear to use,

$62,000

$20,000

Phone: 49 739 698

Phone: 07 4973 9698

BOAT FOR SALE

TRAILER FOR SALE

2013 HORIZON 435 Easy Fisher PRO on Dunbier, with 40 HP Mercury Tiller, saftey gear, Bimini top, front casting deck, rear storage with bait tank, Hummingbird 160X sounder, battery/ box, Side pockets, Rolled side decks $14,490 Phone: 0749 467 286 LAND FOR SALE YEPPOON Acreage Living, City Conveniences!

Phone: 0409 391 254

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

Phone: 0429 831 021

is quick, economical

Phone: 0435 347 686

2.5 ACRES FARMLET

Rims $750 each Air Intake Snorkel (Top Only)

brake pads, 142000km,

block, 5 minutes from CBD, schools, transport.

SELF-SUSTAINABLE living on a sapphire mine claim 5 km west of Rubyvale. Small house, off grid, solar/ rainwater/composting toilet, great view.

CAR PARTS FOR SALE

Front Bumper Land Cruiser 2012 $150 Standard

Buy and stock cattle on 32 acre Hobby Farm at Ravensbourne which is 40 minutes from Toowoomba and 90 minutes to Brisbane.

LAND FOR SALE

$15,000 Phone: 0429 112 396

mags, new power

BOAT FOR SALE

LOST SOLID YELLOW GOLD BANGLE

1hz motor, turbo diesel and gas which gives more power and econ. New suspension , injectors, timing belt, new paint ,windscreen, clutch, 12 months rego, 90% tyres.

series 2, 19 inch chrome

CAR FOR SALE

or MARIA on

BUSINESS/HOME FOR SALE

Includes shares in Rockhampton Cab Company

Phone: 0439 872 215

$79,000 ono Phone: 0432 429 264

$48,000 Phone: 0749 337 305 CAR FOR SALE

Phone: 0407 913 914 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

Ford Mustang Convertable 67 302 V8 Auto. Left hand drive, disc brakes. Excellent condition, Fully restored.

1991 TOYOTA TROOPY

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 floor. F250XL 2001, 4.2L diesel, 190,000km, strengthened springs, UHF, compressor. Whole unit $45,000 ono. Camper only $11,000 ono.

CLASSIC FOR SALE

BUSINESS FOR SALE

All leather interior.

Phone: 0407 373 664

CAR FOR SALE

OPEN TAXI LICENCE FOR SALE IN ROCKHAMPTON

Currently leased @ $385 inc gst/week

49 683 444

$595,000 ono Phone: 07 4937 3564

Phone: 0409 630 311

Statesman

$4,500

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

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

4000 sqm North facing, corner premium Plenty of space for shed, pool, kids to play. $300,000 LAND FOR SALE WONDAI 160 ACRES 160 undulating acres at Wondai. 16 Metre Weekender, power, phone, 2 watertanks, permanent gully, 2 dams, cattle yards with vet crush, fully fenced. Splendid home site, with captivating sunsets. 1 Hour to Gympie $345,000 Phone: 0417 704 369

Home built camping trailer, built to carry 3 full sizes bikes or a quad and bike, camp slides forwards or backwards to balance picture taken back for bikes to sit on 5 months rego. Tows very well $4,500 Phone: 0429 112 396 CARAVAN FOR SALE BOROMA 700ST Insulated Custom designed, Shower/Toilet, fitted with 2x Electrolux Air conditioners, TV/DVD, W/ Machine, Gas cooktop,Grill & Oven,2x80ltr Water tanks, Hot water system, Solar panel, Twin batteries, Battery charger, Wired for 240/12volt, 1x80ltr GWT, Excellent condition. $42,000 neg. Phone: 0419 001 369 LAND FOR SALE 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

Shift Miner Magazine

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MOVIE Review BY JUSTIN CARLOS

9 1

PUZZLES 3

8 3 5 7 4 1 9 9 2

4 9

10 11

14 17

2 4 5 1 3 6 2 3 8 8 4

MEDIUM

philosophical terrorist seeking to teach the United States a lesson for its ‘crimes’ against the world at large. Unfortunately, after the events of The Avengers (to sum it up crudely, aliens came to Earth), Tony Stark is suffering from an anxiety disorder and fears nothing is safe. Stark must confront his anxiety and

its international release. The film sees Robert Downey Jr reprise his role as Tony Stark, the eccentric billionaire and creator of the Iron Man suit, which grants Stark amazing powers when he wears it. The villain in this instalment of the franchise is the fiendish Mandarin, a

IT’S no secret that superhero movies are going gangbusters at the moment, with movies like The Dark Knight and The Avengers grossing absolutely staggering amounts of money. The recently released and highly anticipated Iron Man 3 is no exception, instantly carving up the box office upon

18 20

21 22

# 46

Across 1. Book sections 5. Fit out anew 9. Impala or Eland 10. Soul 12. Avalanche 13. Australian bush call 14. Be ahead 16. Distraught 19. Intense desire 21. Nip 24. Bluegrass musical instrument 25. Star-gazing aid 27. North Polar region 28. PC or laptop 29. Resides 30. Unseat (jockey)

go head to head with the Mandarin in an attempt to save the United States. I’m expecting fans of the franchise to be divided over Iron Man 3. Fans of the comic book franchise may not like the way the Mandarin is portrayed, as it varies remarkably from original comic books. This is also the first film not directed by John Favreaux (although he reprises his role as Stark’s bodyguard), which gives the film a distinctly different flavour. The action sequences are still exhilarating and the plot is fairly strong; there’s even some laugh-out-loud comedy that will appeal to most viewers. There’s just something about the film that doesn’t place it in the same league as its predecessors. Instead of leaving the cinema blown away, I felt a little let down, despite enjoying the film. It’s possible that given the blockbusters of 2012 (The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers) that our expectations of superhero movies are now impossibly high, although this doesn’t appear to be stopping people from lining up at the ticket booth. If you’re fan of Iron Man, or comic book movies in general, then Iron Man 3 is certainly worth watching. Just make sure you’ve got the first two movies on hand because you’ll likely be overcome by the urge to watch them after Number 3.

Down 1. Rocking cot 2. Be present at 3. Ploughs (soil) 4. Answered 6. Keenly awaiting 7. Plane terminals 8. Tolerance 11. Cattle meat 15. Newspaper opinion column 17. Sword holder 18. Shell on ship’s hull # 45 20. Garden door 21. Party decoration 22. Latched 23. Graduate’s award 26. Brown photo shade

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS S U B U R B A N U E E T MOR R I S ON M E G M E X T E N S I V R S S MA N E B T U A C RO B A T P A E O T E NOR A S I Q G D S T U D I O M E I N S I L V E R S

7 5 8 3 2 9 4 6 1

6 1 2 8 7 4 9 3 5

9 4 3 6 5 1 2 7 8

8 6 4 7 3 2 1 5 9

1 7 9 4 8 5 3 2 6

K E L P

C A T C H L E T R I C A S

S U S I S P H E D I C R T U T

3 2 5 1 9 6 8 4 7

2 8 6 5 1 3 7 9 4

C T R O I B X U N MA L H F T A M C I N T E

U S K C E W D E R T E D S N T R N E S R S

5 9 7 2 4 8 6 1 3

4 3 1 9 6 7 5 8 2

SHIFT MINER Handy Crossword 125ME - (15A grid) Handy Crossword 066s. pdf

What can you learn from a

WINO

MORE- mining news MORE- industrial news MORE- investment news Shift Miner Wednesday’s Industry neWs onlIne (WIno) by Shift Miner Handy Cross blank grid.pdf ©Lovatts PublicationsPremium 5/03/09 Queensland business and industrial news www.shiftminer.com/news

artist – mb neWs you Won’t Get anyWhere else

SHIFT MINER

WEDNESDAY’S INDUSTRIAL NEWS ONLINE

Delivered direct to your inbox every Wednesday To register go to www.shiftminer.com and follow the link 13th May 2013

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Off Shift

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The Great Australian Sickie

THE ‘sickie’ is a very divisive issue in Australian culture. For some there could be few things more Australian than skipping work to watch a test match or take in a long weekend. To others it’s a blight on our nation’s productivity and anyone who takes one is a lazy bludger. There’s no doubting that the sickie has

become part of the very fibre of Australia. It was virtually sanctioned by our Prime Minister back in 1983 (a slight deviation from the point here, but if you know anyone who actually called in sick after that America’s Cup win and quoted Bob Hawke to their boss, please post details on the Shift Miner Facebook page).

Australia made headlines earlier this year when it was reported that half a million Australians called in sick to have an extra long Australia Day weekend. A member of the Australian Retailers’ Association then fanned the flames by stating that anyone who called in sick was an un-Australian bum. So here’s the question: the sickie - yay or nay? For a lot of modern workers, the sickie isn’t even feasible these days. For people working casual jobs that don’t offer paid sick leave, the prospect of sitting at home all day or going to play golf in disguise isn’t as attractive as it means loss of income. As for sickies hurting our nation’s productivity, that’s actually a fallacy. Productivity is measured by how much you produce relative to what you put in, so days when you’re sick or not at work don’t factor into how productive we are as Australians. An article in the Sydney Morning Herald concluded that the real danger to Australia’s productivity lies not in the sickie, but in turning up to work and performing at less than normal capacity. We certainly don’t have to agree with the Sydney Morning Herald’s conclusions... but maybe they’ve got a point.

I’m not saying that we should all pack it in and call in sick if it’s cloudy outside or there’s something interesting on Dr Phil, but it seems as though the occasional sickie could be beneficial. If you’re completely burnt out from work and badly need a day off, why not call your boss and claim a dodgy Indian feed has left you unable to pry yourself off the porcelain throne? Sure, it’s a little bit dishonest, but if having that day off to relax or spend time with your family sees you back at work and refreshed the following day, you’ll probably perform more productively, which helps our nation’s productivity. Am I claiming the sickie is actually beneficial to our nation? Yes. I doubt I’m the first person to make this claim, so they probably won’t be minting any special edition coins with Bob Hawke and me drinking beers on them, although that would be really cool. If it’s abused then there’s nothing worse. Taking sickies too frequently will likely alienate your fellow workers and destroy your work ethic, but like many things in life the sickie can serve an important purpose if we use it wisely. Does the sickie help or hinder or great nation? Tell us what you think on the Shift Miner Facebook page.

Redmond’s Rants

Tropical contact high

www.mackaymarinefestival.com.au Catch all the action of the Australian Oﬀshore Superboat Championships. Get up close to Qld’s leading boat brands - heaps of show specials on and oﬀ the water! Boating and Fishing talks across the weekend. FREE entertainment for the kids!

FREE entry for all! The Mackay Marine Festival is proudly supported by

THE build up is magic. It feels like it is going to rain as the clouds roll in: fat, black and low. The temperature rises. It feels like it will rain at any moment... but no, it’s just the build up. Four to six weeks of pure edginess. Everyone is excited but pissed off, going crazy waiting. It’s when you go ‘tropo’. The sudden change is swift. From build up to wet is awesome. The tropics are most wonderful. I love the tropics, I love the heat, I love the rains, the storms, the fat overflowing drains. The wonderful loud quick and rapid rain. Big ole fat rain drops. Green sweet smelling foliage. During a storm it is easy to sleep, rain is comforting. It’s a Call of the Wild when it rains; through the entire passage

of human existence I imagine the sound of rainfall or even running water has been a comfort. I like to think it allows us to access the subliminal and unravel our hardwired thought patterns. I like to listen to rain on a roof during the light-blue peaceful lull moments before sleep. I like to try and channel my last few conscious thoughts into listening to the rain and transcending my being. To step out of being me and wash myself into the stream of evolution. I really listen to the rain. I can hear it drop onto the ground. I can hear every drop of water. I can visualise every ocean. I feel the pressure drop as I stand on a high mountain in the night, low fat dark clouds roll in from the ocean, and when they reach my mountain a heavy rain begins. Rain falls in pregnant drops, causing streams to flow together. Mountain streams gush and morph into a river. I feel the river push. A river is liquid friction. Flow. Pressure. Time. Energy. The fallen drops of rain are now flowing with a universe of kind. A huge flow. Energy cannot be destroyed. Rain falls, river flows. I cannot discern a crescendo, crux or peak for this performance.

Who is Redmond? Redmond was born in a cross-fire hurricane and now resides in Queensland. Former Golden Glove

Marine Festival

13th May 2013

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...

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Off Shift

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Bait Shop Banter

in too around the mouths of the inlet; people have been catching them on curly tail Z-man lures,” said Adrian. When the weather allows, out wide has been a paradise for Mackerel, with greys, spotties and doggies all being caught out around Barren Island.

in between. There were around 25 to 30 mangrove jack weighed, and 15 fingermark bream, which is fantastic.” Some good fish were still caught despite not being able to get out wide until later. “Once people got out there were some really big reds caught; I saw some very nice fish,” said Greg. In addition to all the fishing, the Men of League charity also raised over $20,000 auctioning off rugby league jerseys at this year’s Hook-up.

MACKAY - Conditions continue

to favour fisherman in Mackay, with plenty being caught in close and out wide. Julian from Tackle World Mackay says the creeks are popular at the moment if you’re chasing salmon. “There’s a fair few getting around, mainly Kings and Blues. Your best bet is Murray Creek or Constant Creek. Try fishing around the rock bars and shoal bars on a neat tide.” If you fancy getting out a bit further, the fish are biting out around the islands too. “People have been getting some beautiful, big sweet lip out around St Bees and Keswick islands. Fishing around the rocks and the edges of the reefs has also been producing some good coral trout,” said Julian.

Luke Doyle took his boat out from The Town of 1770 and caught these 16.2kg and 17.1kg reds.

YEPPOON

- Anglers have nothing to complain about around Yeppoon, with fish on offer everywhere. According to Adrian from the Secret Spot, the Fitzroy River is still proving popular. “The Fitzroy’s been firing for threadfin and blue salmon, and there’s still a fair

few barra around. The crabbing is also fantastic at the minute.” Corio Bay and Coorooman Creek are fishing equally well, with a number of different species being caught. “The winter bream are starting to appear at Corio, and there’s still a lot of salmon. Flathead have just started coming

about angling over the past weekend in Gladstone with the Boyne Tannum Hook Up seeing fish caught left, right and centre. Greg from Pat’s Tackle World reckons this year’s Hook Up was one of the best in recent memory in terms of quality and range. “There were fish of all shapes and sizes caught. The biggest was a 27 kilo jew, right down to whiting and everything

MACKAY Gladstone

Mon 13

WEEK 1: A rare upper cold pool developed over the Central Highlands causing the coldest day in 10 months. Last Tuesday, Emerald recorded a maximum of 18.9C, while light rain and miserable overcast conditions hung around all day. This caused most of the Coalfields to shiver. Rain started near the coast the day before (Gladstone 28mm and Rockhampton 20mm) then moved over the Central Highlands. Some rainfall totals (mm) of note: Blackdown Tablelands 56; Avocet

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

GLADSTONE - It was all

your weather forecast

Coalfields shiver

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

34; Blue Mountain 31; Springsure Creek 22; Clermont 17; Somerby 17; Capella 13; Middlemount 13; Lochington 12; Sapphire 12; Upper Dee 10. Cloud develops during Monday causing some light rain, before moving to the coast Tuesday/Wednesday. Then cool-tomild cloudy days follow. Just a brief shower or patchy rain on the higher areas. Cold early morning during the weekend and mild-to-warm partly cloudy days. Boaties: A complete change-of-season wind regime late in the week. Monday/ Tuesday: ESE/NE 8-13 with patchy rain

With Mike Griffin

Tue 14

Wed 15

Thu 16

Fri 17 Sat 18 Sun 19

Time

0454 1051 1628 2310

1.15 3.15 1.16 3.84

0527 1124 1655 2348

1.27 3.02 1.32 3.69

0606 1205 1732

1.39 2.90 1.50

0034 0654 1259 1826

3.54 1.50 2.82 1.68

0130 0754 1410 1952

3.42 1.54 2.81 1.80

0235 0905 1527 2128

3.37 1.48 2.92 1.76

0343 1013 1639 2247

3.40 1.32 3.16 1.58

0015 0642 1222 1821

5.22 1.59 4.05 1.44

0046 0716 1257 1854

5.01 1.76 3.86 1.69

0124 0758 1344 1936

4.77 1.92 3.69 1.94

0213 0856 1451 2037

4.56 2.02 3.59 2.17

0319 1010 1616 2204

4.41 1.98 3.66 2.26

0435 1122 1734 2332

4.42 1.77 3.95 2.11

0543 1220 1833

4.58 1.45 4.36

Mon 20

Tue 21

Wed 22

Thu 23

Fri 24 Sat 25 Sun 26

Time

0447 1113 1739 2348

3.50 1.10 3.47 1.33

0546 1205 1830

3.60 0.88 3.79

0044 0640 1253 1917

1.08 3.70 0.68 4.08

0135 0730 1339 2002

0.85 3.77 0.52 4.32

0224 0819 1425 2047

0.65 3.80 0.42 4.49

0313 0907 1510 2133

0.52 3.79 0.39 4.58

0401 0956 1557 2221

0.46 3.75 0.44 4.57

0040 0640 1310 1923

1.81 4.79 1.10 4.81

0137 0730 1356 2009

1.47 4.97 0.79 5.25

0229 0818 1441 2054

1.17 5.10 0.53 5.63

0319 0905 1526 2138

0.92 5.17 0.34 5.95

0408 0952 1611 2223

0.73 5.17 0.23 6.17

0457 1041 1656 2310

0.61 5.11 0.21 6.27

0547 1132 1742 2358

0.59 4.99 0.31 6.23

and a squally shower. Wednesday: N/ NE 5-10 cloudy with a clearing showers. Thursday: a cold SSW/SSE 10-15 inshore, 15-20 offshore. Friday: SE 16-11 brief shower north and SSW 8-10 tending SE in the south. Saturday/Sunday: SE 10-15 brief shower Whitsundays and SSW/SSE 10-15 around Heron south. WEEK 2: The SOI has taken a steep dive, but it’s not a good predictor as shown in the recent cold rain situation. The week should start with cold (6-8C) mornings (mainly south) and sunny mild days. Temperatures warm (28-30C) mid-week

(warmer north) ahead of an approaching trough. Squally thunderstorms with moderate to heavy falls sweep across the Coalfields Wednesday into Thursday. Then frosts for the Darling Downs could reach into the southern Coalfields. Marine Lovers: Winter conditions on the way. Monday: SSE/SE 15-10 Tuesday: SSE/ SE 10-15 tending ENE. Wednesday: ESE/ ENE 6-11 coastal mist/fog. Thursday: NNE/ NNE 10-15 with squally (gust to 25-30 knots) showers developing. Friday: Tricky very cold southerly. Could be a SSW’ly initially then surge from the SSE by late weekend.

13th May 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Sport

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Rugby League running straight at Tieri YOU can expect Tieri rugby league players on the coal fields to run a little bit straighter and a little bit harder after this weekend. That’s because they are in the fortunate position of getting some rugby league skills training from one of the most tireless and hard-running ball runners ever to pull on the Maroon jersey. Thanks to major club sponsors Undamine and Coal Train, the junior and senior Peak Down Pirates Rugby League sides will get some skills training from Petro Civoniceva. The Skills clinic is part of a Rugby League Big Day Out being held in Tieri this Saturday, May 18. NRL

blokes from Moura this season, but we don’t really have any new players in A grade, but importantly we do have the backbone from last year.” Anglo Coal engineer Dan Hayes has taken over the captaincy role, having been with the club now for four years. Middlemount-bred loose forward Angus Creadon is also part of the leadership group. “We are going to be a fairly mobile team again this year, but there is still some work to be done on our fitness,” Coach Kirk said. “The changed outlook in mining hasn’t really meant too many changes for the club. We picked up a few engineers at Moura who are on fiveday rosters.” “But the others are remaining on a two weeks on and two weeks off rotation, which we will have to manage.” “Based on what we seen so far this season, I think Gladstone and Brothers are going to be the teams to beat.”

Pictured: The Song Room teaching artist Wanda Bennett took Victoria Park State School students Adam Williamson and Riley Inkson through an arts and crafts activity where they designed post cards about multiculturalism to celebrate Harmony Day.

13th May 2013

A great day was had by all at the annual Blackwater Rodeo, which was sponsored by the CFMEU. Crawford Jensen won the open saddle bronc with 77 points, David Worsfold

development officers will also be on hand and the first 200 kids will receive one junior football each. Mr Civoniceva might, however, be out of his depth a little bit when he judges the colouring in competition later in the day. That night the Tieri Pirates A Grade men’s side will play the Blackwater Crushers in Tieri. 10am – 2pm: Junior games (Peak Down Pirates v Dysart) 1.30pm: Colouring in competition judging, 2-3.30pm: Skills clinic with Petero Civoniceva, 3.30pm U16s: (Peak Down Pirates v Cleremont), 5pm: Peak Down Pirates seniors game (v Blackwater) and 7pm: Newcastle rock band Streets of Omar.

Drovers back on horse after wobbly start Incoming A grade coach of the Dawson Valley Drovers Ashley Kirk says the 2012 premiers are finally starting to look like a winning side after a slow start to this season. Taking on a premiership winning side can be a poisoned chalice for coaches because often many of the key players in a side choose to retire from the sport on a winning note. While the Drovers have lost some great leaders from its playing ranks, like Stephen Priddle and Ashley Kirk himself, there has not been any major exodus. Coach Kirk says they expect to field a strong side again this year. “The Drovers had a slow start this year, but we have had four or five regular A graders out with injury that put a fair dint in the side,” he said. “We beat Frenchville 34 to 10 at home last weekend, and after a few weeks looking a bit disjointed we are starting to look like last year’s side again.” “We have maybe half a dozen new

CFMEU bucks at Blackwater the open bareback, Adam Knowles won the steer wrestling. Jamie Lee Williams and Jorja Watkins won the ladies barrel race and breakaway roping consecutively

Ladies barrel race

Sienna Booker on the softer side of rodeo

Andrew Kinsman, Danielle Glenn, Lisa Garguilo, Allira Ferraro and Lachlan Browning

Cowboys enjoying the spectacle

Kelsey, Dacy, Brodie, Pamela, Jonno Dayle

Kayden and Amanda Thompson with Seth Alexander

The Hail Creek Mine Community Development Fund is proud to support The Song Room’s Mackay Creative Connections Project

Proud to be part of the central Queensland community and committed to the future.

This innovative programme aims to improve numeracy, literacy and retention in the classroom for local students, by engaging their artistic and creative skills.

Clermont Region – Travis Bates on 4988 3503 or clermont.cdf@riotinto.com

Students will also develop their cultural awareness through exposure to different forms of music, drama and art projects.

We support a range of local projects through our Community Development Funds. For more information:

Kestrel Mine – David Cameron on 3625 5222 or kestrel.cdf@riotinto.com Hail Creek Mine – Fiona Kruger on 4840 4401 or hailcreek.cdf@riotinto.com

www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

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Money Matters

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Emerald makes top 100 MORANBAH and Dysart were snubbed from the Australian Property Investors (API) Top 100 after dominating for several years, but not so Emerald. The Central Highlands town got a thumbs up while smaller towns dominated by mining were given the swerve this time around. “For Emerald, there are a few factors at play that will drive demand from buyers and investors, including mining, employment, high rent returns and population growth,” API deputy editor Shannon Molloy said. “Emerald has long been a pivotal link in Queensland’s mining sector chain, but is experiencing a new influx of people with connections to the resources sector.” API gave Emerald rankings of good for its local council, accessibility and services and amenities. It was rated moderate for infrastructure. Local real estate agent Paul Muldrew from Ray White said the downturn in mining has affected the market. “Rentals have stabilised and come back,” he told Shift Miner. A brand-new four-bedroom home with air-conditioning and double garage that fetched $850/week last year is now down to $550 to $600, he said. “It makes it a lot more affordable for those who are not with mining. We are seeing quite a few rentals on the market and there are about 280 at the moment.”

Emerald has seen a number of housing developments, including Centra Park.

There is also more property listed for sale, making it a better market for buyers. “Before we would have two or three people competing for one property, so there was always someone missing out.” Mr Muldrew, who recently won the Ray White No. 1 Office in the Rural Network Award, said the state government’s change to the First Home Buyer’s Grant has had an impact. “Since they changed it from $7000 to $15,000 for just new homes, it has made it harder. Before, first home buyers could afford homes at the lower end of the market. I would like to see the grant reintroduced.” Mr Muldrew said investor interest was not as strong as it had been, although return on investment was still good with 6 to 7 per cent on some properties. “Emerald is a lot more stable than the likes of Dysart and Moranbah because it’s a lot more diverse and doesn’t rely on just mining.” The Bowen Basin towns have seen housing values plummet by up to $250,000 and rental returns go from $3000 to $300 a week in some cases. In Emerald, recent sales have been to owner-occupiers. “We have people who are been living here and are upgrading. There are also fly-in, fly-out who are sick of commuting so they have relocated their families from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.”

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13th May 2013

Shift Miner Magazine

Money Matters

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Save cash overseas JETTING off overseas is extremely exciting and the last thing you want to think about while you’re away is your finances. However, a bit of forethought about what format you want your money in while you’re away could save you hundreds, or potentially thousands, of dollars. Shop around for the best exchange rate before you head off, especially if you’re transferring a large sum of money. Finding a better exchange rate could save you hundreds of dollars, and if you exchange with a company that guarantees the rate (many of them don’t) you’ll know exactly how much money you’re getting. Many of us can’t live without our mobile phones these days, but if you’re intending on taking yours overseas you need to be careful. Many phone companies charge a fortune for international roaming, so you could wind up returning from your holiday with a monstrous phone bill. Consider purchasing a pre-paid international SIM card before you leave. That way you can control exactly how much you’re spending by topping the phone up with credit as needed. Be extremely careful if you’re intending to use your credit card overseas. Most credit cards will charge you a currency conversion fee, and if you’re accessing money from an ATM the fees

13th May 2013

can be astronomical. Just one withdrawal using a credit card can yield the following expenses: • Local ATM operator fee: $2 • International ATM fee: $5 - Cash advance fee: 1.50 per cent • Cross currency conversion fee: 3 per cent • Interest charges: 20 per cent Using a debit card is far more advisable, however you can still be slugged with the foreign and local ATM fees and a cross currency conversion fee. Before departing check which global ATMs your financial institution is partnered with; this should help you avoid the hefty international ATM fee. Through institutions such as Australia Post you can also load money onto a debit card in a particular currency (e.g. US dollars), and you won’t be charged a currency conversion fee every time you use the card. Money can be loaded onto cards in up to five different currency denominations. Having your money in this format has a number of advantages. It eliminates those crippling credit card and bank fees (although you’ll still be charged a local ATM operator fee, as you would if you were withdrawing money in Australia) and you can avoid having to carry large sums of cash. Visit www.auspost.com.au for more information.

Shift Miner Magazine

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Money Matters

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