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Shift Miner Magazine

CONTENTS NEWS

3

Miners dump number two at school bus stop

4 Gladstone faces post-boom adjustment

25

6 Linc boss pulls pin on UCG 7 True value of gas unknown 8 Boulder Steel dead in water

10 9

12 Tsunami of maintenance heading this way

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egulars R 18 Stuff to the Editor 19 Frank the Tank 20 Miner’s Trader 22 Weather & Tides 25 Money Matters

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Labour hire on steep rise

By Inga Stünzner

Stellar Recruitment’s Rachael Fitzgerald

LABOUR hire businesses are cropping up in Central Queensland at an increasing rate in response to

a fluctuating coal market.

Stellar Recruitment is just one of many following the trend and is expanding its Mackay office to include a dedicated labour hire division - Stellar Workforce. This will be office’s main focus.

“It is a response to the changing market conditions,” division manager Rachael Fitzgerald told Shift Miner. “It gives clients the opportunity to ramp up in short time.”

Ms Fitzgerald said that for businesses to be able to win contracts, they need to show

they have the capacity to operate immediately and can get people on worksites quickly.

“It gives them the ability to manage fluctuations and deadlines with clients. If you’re employing permanent staff, you have a four to six week delay.

“Labour hire means you can mobilise more quickly. If a client calls and says they need people in a day, if we do our job properly then we can have employees on site in a day.”

Ms Fitzgerald said flexibility has been the key driver behind the rise in labour hire businesses.

“Businesses need to run projects as cost-effectively as possible and labour hire is cheaper because you can try before you buy.

“You don’t have to pay $120,000 for an employee who doesn’t work out.”

On the other hand, most companies want to have a percentage of permanent workers and working for a labour hire company is a stepping stone for

Wages drop as labour outstrips demand CENTRAL Queensland wages have taken a tumble by as much as $45 an hour as demand for work outstrips supply.

Gladstone workers are feeling the shock as work dries up on the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal and constructing LNG plants on Curtis Island. New jobs are not paying the same wages.

One worker told Shift Miner he is taking $10 less an hour for a new job and another colleague is now looking for work after turning down a new position that paid less than he was used to.

Mackay-based business consultant Craig Joy is seeing a similar trend. He has seen his clients’ wages drop from $120 an hour to $90 earlier this year, and there has been a further drop to $75 an hour.

“It might still seem a massive wage, when you used to be on $120 an hour and it drops by almost $50 an hour, that is significant,” he said.

And it is not just the drop in dollars.

“I know there are now more restrictions on vehicle use. You can’t take the kids away for the weekend in the company car or on company fuel, and the bonuses and incentive payments have gone.”

Mr Joy said even drops in wages from $40 an hour to $30 was substantial.

“People have this idea of guaranteed security, but it’s a fallacy. There is no way a company can say that we can pay $45 an hour and this is it forever.”

Mr Joy said there was a general belief among many in the workforce that wages should be set in concrete.

“I had one company that had to lay off a significant number of people, and those left wanted a $10 an hour pay increase. It beggars belief.”

“Businesses don’t want a redundancy because of the anguish involved and the expense. You are wanting things to pick up and the last thing you want is to throw someone out the door.”

While it is tough times, there are some glimmers of hope.

“I had a client who asked me to write up a redundancy letter for his employees, but when I called him up a few days later he told me to throw it out because they got a contract.”

Mr Joy said while the boom of the past few years was over, things have picked up from where they were in the late 1990s.

“We have to remember where we started and where we are now. I can remember when coal was $19 a tonne in the late ‘90s.

It cost $19.50 to get a tonne of coal out of the ground and on to a boat.”

So at today’s price of $70 a tonne, it doesn’t seem so bad.

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employees.

Ms Fitzgerald said there had been negative connotations with labour hire in the past, however most companies want to have a percentage of permanent employees and labour hire was a good stepping stone.

“If you start casual work with the right attitude, it can lead to permanent jobs. It is up to the candidate and how they manage expectations.”

“Most of our clients want to look after our guys, but for construction work where the project ramps up, most will stick to guys on a labour hire basis.”

Stellar Recruitment is just one of many labour hire businesses now set up in Mackay. For local business consultant Craig Joy, it’s a trend that has taken off in the past five years.

Even international transport company Toll has joined the game and has a large presence in the industry.

“That tells you something when a major transport company opens a

labour hire business,” Mr Joy said.

He said the move towards labour hire has risen out of a need for more flexibility, but also out of the costs associated with taking someone on permanently.

Contractors working for the mines are expected to pay a nominated hourly rate, as well as insurances and other costs.

Those costs escalate to such an extent that for every 30 people employed, businesses are actually paying for 31, he said.

“Labour hire companies exist because there are all these restrictions - they don’t have to deal with redundancies or massive entitlement or unfair dismissals.

“If your company in the coal industry is unviable because of the price of coal, you are unable to do anything because of these restrictions.

“A company then has to close or sell and then deal with redundancies issues etc. So companies are taking an alternative.

“If you labour hire, then you have no problem.”

School bus stop becomes poo corner

Litter in the Isaac region has become so bad that Mayor Anne Baker has called on the Newman government to act.

EVERYDAY it’s a minefield of the faecal kind for eight Central Queensland school children who have to dodge turds and toilet paper to get on a school bus that takes them to Dingo.

“It’s been happening for a fair while because we have a heap of mines north of us, and there are not a lot of places to stop,” one of the parents told Shift Miner.

The bus stop, which is at his letterbox and is frequently mown, has literally become a dumping ground.

“We get boxes of stubbies in our letter box, rubbish, and there is always toilet paper blowing across the paddock or where the bus stops to pick up the kids,” he said.

“We don’t go on about it but there is poo there, and I tell the kids not to go there. I try to burn it - not now obviously and it’s a reasonably common occurrence.”

The road is used only by local families and those working on the mines north of the property.

“It’s a real problem. I’m not sure if it’s truck drivers or workers who have nice flash

cars and don’t like having their rubbish in it.

“When the council burns one side of the road, it shows up just how much rubbish has been dumped. I can fill up bin every week on our stretch of road.”

The situation has left the normally chatty Central Highlands Region Mayor Peter Maguire speechless.

“I thought you were talking about people just taking a pee,” he told Shift Miner.

“To me it is completely inappropriate,” he said.

Cr Maguire said perhaps the families could bring the issue to the attention of the Department of Transport so it could look at installing toilet facilities.

“If people are using the bus stop as a toilet, there might be a need but I have no other suggestions.”

Having toilets halfway down the long stretch of road could be a solution, the parent said.

“I’m not sure, though. If you have people like that I just don’t know if it would work.

They might live in Brisbane and don’t realise this is someone’s driveway and that up to eight kids get on the bus.

“It is not easy for trucks to get to, so they are definitely driving in and pulling up.

“I just think that people need to think about it. This is our backyard and it’s not acceptable.”

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Gladstone faces postboom adjustment

By Angus Peacocke

THERE will be challenging times for Gladstone over the next two years as construction on Curtis Island draws to a close, predicts the chief executive of the Gladstone Leadership Group, Kurt Heidecker The biggest concern is that the normal Gladstone economy is not going to be able to accommodate all the people looking for work locally when the CSG plants are built and construction workers are let go.

“Of most concern is the impact on the overall community,” Mr Heidecker told Shift Miner.

“There are currently about 13,000 people employed in the local CSG projects, and if half of them or even a third of them are local, we could be in a situation over the next two years where they want to go back to their old jobs.

“Many of those jobs won’t be there, and it’s going to be a challenging time.”

Aside from the gas boom, Gladstone’s traditional industries have been struggling over the past 12 months.

The Gladstone power station is currently offering voluntary redundancies, and there have been big job cuts elsewhere, including 130 at Queensland Alumina Limited last year, and about 50 when the Austicks factory shut down.

Massive construction workforces in Gladstone are not a new phenomenon, with significant projects being built virtually once a decade.

However, Mr Heidecker says it’s the sheer size of this peak that makes it different this time round.

“Other big construction projects have come to an end in Gladstone, but it is difficult to draw lessons from them,” he said.

“When you look at other construction projects the industry is used to, we [Gladstone] can handle over 95 per cent of the people who have worked on them.

“This current boom is 10 times the size of projects in the past. There are going to have to be some major adjustments as we move back to historical norms.”

Ironically it could be the growing popularity of fly-in fly-out work that saves the situation.

One scenario being proposed is that the workforce stays living in Gladstone but flies to other places for work - which leaves open the possibility of working at home when construction work is available.

With rental prices dropping and a major supply of new housing in Gladstone now online, the city has become a far more affordable proposition that 12 months ago.

Although Mr Heidecker says there is a long way to go before accommodation gets back to normal.

“Certainly the rental prices have come off significantly, dropping $20 to $40 dollars a week so there is a definite decline, but there is still a long way to go.”

Plan to develop Galilee Basin unveiled WHILE workers at a mine near Moura were told they were no longer needed, the Newman Government unveiled a strategy to help deliver up to 28,000 in the Galilee Basin last week.

Part of this is proposal to cut royalties for an initial period for miners that open in Queensland’s central west - and green groups are livid.

Green senator Larissa Waters said discounts would make the likes of Gina Rinehart and Clive Palmer even richer at the expense of the Great Barrier Reef, groundwater and climate.

“People like Clive Palmer don’t need any help making even more money, especially when their mega profits go to buying political power, as a federal parliamentary inquiry is now set to investigate,” she said in a statement.

The royalty incentive is part of a Galilee Basin development strategy, which includes using state powers to speed up planning and land acquisition processes.

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said the Galilee Basin Development Strategy was designed to encourage first movers – those proponents whom the government consider would play a vital role in opening up the basin for their own projects and opening up the basin for other miners as well.

“Companies that are currently investigating opening mines in the Galilee Basin are contemplating many billions of dollars of investments,” Mr Seeney said.

“My government is mindful of the financial magnitude of these investments and the long lead times between financial commitment and shipping the first coal to its offshore destination, which is why we are offering incentives.”

He said the proposed projects had a total forecast investment of $28.4 billion and would

provide over 15,000 jobs during construction and over 13,000 operational jobs.

Premier Campbell Newman said the government promised to deliver on infrastructure and better planning and that was what the strategy was about.

“My government is unashamedly all about growing the business of Queensland and we will do all we can to facilitate the projects proposed for the Galilee Basin,” he said.

Mr Seeney said the government was offering access to the T2 site at Abbot Point port, the key potential coal stockpiling and handling site within the priority port development area.

“These incentives, along with the strategy’s streamlined solutions for planning, land acquisition, water, power and rail, will ensure projects have the best chance of going ahead in the Galilee Basin,” he said.

Coal haulage company, Aurizon, has welcomed the strategy.

Managing director and chief executive of Aurizon Lance Hockridge said Aurizon was well-positioned to support the opening up of the Galilee Basin.

“Aurizon has been developing an integrated rail transport and port solution for Galilee Basin coal over the past two years and has been working closely with a range of parties,” he said.

“Our work is advancing both from an engineering and a commercial perspective, and is closely aligned with the Government strategy - getting early tonnes out of the Galilee, at lower cost by tapping into existing infrastructure and consolidating tonnages onto a single corridor.”

Galilee Basin Development Strategy November 2013 is available to download from www.dsdip. qld.gov.au/galileebasin.

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BHP’s Abbot Point back down no field of dreams

By Alex Graham

Source: North Queensland Bulk Port

QUEENSLAND coal companies are not in the business of backing ‘field of dreams’ port expansions.

That’s how the Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche described BHP’s decision this week to pull out of the Abbot Point coal port expansion at Bowen.

But back in December 2011, when the expansion was first given the green light by the state government, it was a different story.

“The industry’s willingness to enter contract negotiations to support the development of six new terminals, in addition to the two already under development, demonstrates an industry on

the front foot to secure critical infrastructure,” Mr Roche said in a media statement at the time.

“This announcement today shows that the industry is willing to play its part in ensuring that export capacity is not a bottleneck for a strongly growing coal sector.”

What a difference two years makes. Now throughput at all coal ports along the Central Queensland coast is below capacity, with the global coal market oversupplied.

But what does the decision say in broader terms about the outlook for the coal industry? According to one resource analyst, not much.

“Big companies are very reactive,” MineLife’s Gavin

Wendt explained.

“You would expect them to think long term, but they don’t.

They are under the pump and answerable to shareholders and they are thinking they need to cut expenditure now. That’s why you see decisions like Abbot Point.”

Mr Wendt said quite often decisions were irrational and did not look to the longer term.

“Whether it’s the right thing to do or not is immaterial, their immediate goal is to placate shareholders,” he said.

“One of the big criticisms of coal companies in the past was government-controlled infrastructure not keeping up

with the needs of customers.

“Now prices have dropped off they don’t have any interest, but when they pick up again those same companies will start screaming about lack of infrastructure again.”

Mr Wendt said the recent flurry of mine sales in the region is also not a reliable indicator of the health of the coal sector.

“You can’t read too much into the outlook for coal by the transactions or deals themselves,” he said.

“The current owners of assets, for all sorts of reasons, will be under pressure to perhaps sell them.

“But, at the right price, there will always be companies on the other side to say this is a great opportunity for a project that is making money and will make a lot more when the coal price improves.”

For the medium term, it appears the industry has entered a holding pattern.

“We are in for another 12-24 months of difficult times,” said Mr Wendt.

“There are not many signs of recovery in the coal price for the next few years. I don’t expect prices to fall further, however I do not expect any recovery in thermal coal in the short term.”

Bowen on its knees “IT’S been bloody shocking, to be honest.”

That’s Dawson MP George Christensen’s frank summary of the waiting game North Queensland businesses have endured over the Abbot Point coal terminal expansion.

The Environment Minister Greg Hunt will not make a decision until mid-December, despite the Coalition’s pledge it would make the call within 60 days of being elected.

“There are people on their knees with the begging hands up and if this doesn’t happen they will go to the wall,” said Mr Christensen.

“I know of half a dozen businesses off the top of my head that will shut the door and walk away.”

The Queensland government has just released its draft ports strategy that would allow major dredging projects to continue in already established industrial areas along the coast - but not outside those parameters. The project would fit neatly within its framework.

However, the Minister is still waiting on a draft report on the strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef before he makes his final decision.

Mr Christensen says giving Abbot Point the green light is the only feasible option.

“My reading of the situation is that Greg Hunt is well across the facts of this project, and if that’s the case the only decision can be to approve it with the appropriate conditions.”

Until that final decision is made, the Bowen community continues to wait.

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Linc boss pulls pin on UCG

By Alex Graham

Linc’s plant at Chinchilla.

LINC Energy chief executive Peter Bond has accused government regulators of a deliberate campaign of harassment that has destroyed the UCG industry in Queensland.

For the past two years, the company has successfully run an underground coal

Linc’s plant at Chinchilla.

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11th November 2013

gasification (UCG) plant at Chinchilla, which produced the world’s first diesel and jet fuel from the process.

But after $200 million of investment over 14 years, the demonstration plant will be now shut down and operations moved overseas.

“We absolutely became the sacrificial lamb for the CSG industry,” Mr Bond told Shift Miner.

“The CSG industry had an agenda, they needed a lot of acreage to make it work and they saw UCG as a competitor for that acreage.”

Mr Bond raised his concerns with government ministers and department officials at the time.

“I said there is no need for this to happen. We will step aside and let CSG take the lead. We just want due process to allow us to run the race so we can put forward our own platform and the two can dovetail.

There was no need for one industry to be at the sacrifice of the other.”

But when another UCG developer Cougar Energy became embroiled in an environmental breach that eventually saw its plant shut down by the regulator, Mr Bond said the response was completely out of kilter.

“You had CSG companies with [benzene and toluene] readings many times higher, and yet they were simply brushed aside. But with Cougar the incident was completely blown up with the both the minister and the director of the department making public statements.”

In fact, Mr Bond has accused

Queensland government regulators of ongoing and direct harassment.

“There were people in key roles who had a deliberate policy to harass UCG,” he said.

Linc Energy has UCG sites all over the world from Alaska to Poland, but Mr Bond said the level of regulation in Queensland was ludicrous.

“For our one square kilometre of space in Chinchilla we would receive and have to respond to documentation from the government every eight hours,” he said.

“That went on for years, we had a full-time staff of four or five people just to do that.”

Mr Bond said he’d hoped a change in state government would have changed the outlook, but the same key department officials stayed in their jobs.

“We have not been given a fair go,” he said.

“I even went to the government recently and said if this is too sensitive for you let’s turn it into a research and training facility for the rest of the world. We can still employ people, pump a few million into the local economy and be the world leader.

But even that was too hard.”

Linc will now look to Asia to be its UCG base.

“It was a difficult decision and an emotive one and it saddens me to say this but the bulk of the wealth and employment generated by this technology will now happen overseas.”

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Gas value unknown

Having CSG wells on a property is either a financial saviour or a nightmare, depending on who you ask. It all hinges on the quality of the land supporting the wells, and whether both parties can negotiate a workable outcome.

Specialist rural property valuer with Herron Todd White in Toowoomba, Doug Knight, says the true value is almost impossible to know. He’s even gone so far as to suggest there should be legislative changes to make sales more transparent.

“There is not much evidence surrounding sales of properties with gas wells on them,” he told Shift Miner.

“However, there was one sale

of a rural aggregation that had 71 wells on it, which was bought by an adjoining property owner. In that case all the hard work had been done, the wells were operating and the rehabilitation work completed.”

“That’s important because one of the biggest issues is the time between getting the letter advising of an intent to drill and the time the work is done can be more than five years, which is a major cost to the landholder.”

Mr Knight said while he wasn’t privy to the nature of the agreement reached in the sale, it appeared the landholder had done well and made a tidy sum.

“But with all the different royalty arrangements between individuals

and gas companies you would need all the sale details to know for sure.

There could be a whole bundle of cash payments involved - we just don’t know.

“Until you have that information it’s hard to know one way or the other how the sale compared to others, and it requires a legislative change for that information to become available.”

Valuer with HTW in Roma, Digby Makim, said the true value of gas wells was equally unclear in his area due to the sheer lack of evidence.

“It all depends on the agreement reached,” he said.

“If the compensation is ongoing, therefore the cash flow is ongoing, then that can be a great help to a rural business - but only if that compensation more than covers the costs associated with the day-today disruption of having gas wells developed on a property.”

Mr Makim said there had not been many sales in the Roma area to date.

“That’s mainly because those businesses who have a good solid ongoing cash flow [from gas wells] that is not undermining their other business tend to hold onto it.”

First Galilee mine with green light FINALLY some positive news in the coal sector GVK Hancock’s $4.2 billion Galilee mine development has been granted approval by the federal government.

There are no more hurdles to be cleared, and all that remains now is for the company to make a final investment decision.

CQUniversity resource analyst Professor John Rolfe says it’s a significant step forward in developing the basin.

“Once one mine has managed to get all the approvals in place it indicates that others have also got the potential to be approved,” he told Shift Miner.

“There has always been some uncertainty surrounding environmental issues and there has been tension in that area, but this suggests both the state and the commonwealth view these developments as important and those factors can be mitigated.”

Professor Rolfe said the

Galilee Basin was regarded as the next frontier, and its development would have a major impact on the Central Queensland economy.

“Since 2003 the resources sector has had a huge impact on the CQ economy, driven by the construction sector and new projects,” he said.

“The current slowdown in the economy is because the growth phase has slowed. Most operations are still continuing but the slowdown is in the growth and that has hit the economy hard.

“This new province would open up those growth opportunities again.”

But Professor Rolfe said there was still a lot of caution within industry about starting new developments at this time.

“I would think GVK has a stronger business case because of its links back to India and it has a customers but it would still be a big decision for them.”

11th November 2013

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Final piece of jigsaw

THE end is in sight for QGC’s Curtis Island LNG project with the last of 80 modular components arriving by ship recently.

The final module is a marvel in itself, measuring 76 metres in length - the equivalent of 17 cars parked nose to tail. It’s also six stories tall, as wide as an Olympic swimming pool and weighs twice as much as an A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft.

The modules will be used by LNG

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11th November 2013

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production units, known as trains, and for supporting infrastructure.

Modules for the project were constructed in Thailand by Bechtel, the principal contractor for the Curtis Island project.

QGC deputy managing director Mitch Ingram said the delivery of the final module represents the first time modules had been built and safely delivered to a two-train project in Australia.

Gladstone’s mega-steel project dead in the water THE troubled $4 million Boulder Steel project is unlikely to get off the ground after creditors voted against taking on an investor to kick-start the Gladstone project last week. Back in July, voluntary administrators Grant Thornton were called in to recapitalise the company and get it relisted on the stock exchange.

“Basically we ran the process for three months to find a potential party to take it forward… we scoured overseas and didn’t leave a stone unturned,” Grant Thornton’s Said Jahani told Shift Miner.

Mr Jahani had been optimistic about finding a company that would breathe new life into the project, which was slated to begin next year and employ thousands.

In fact, two companies were willing to enter into into a ‘deed of company arrangement’, which would inject capital and get the project up and running.

Grant Thornton recommended that creditors accept one proposal in particular - from a group called Trident.

“The creditors were doubtful of Trident taking the project forward, and they are the ones who get the say,” Mr Jahani said.

“The Trident proposal was put forward and they rejected it.”

Instead, creditors voted to hand the company back to its directors. The next day, it was once

again put into voluntary administration - this time with Nichols and Brian.

One of the company’s directors, Alexander Lang, resigned from Boulder Steel just days after the decision.

“My role is over,” Mr Jahani said.

“I think they are hoping to get someone else to get them a different outcome...Good luck to them.”

Mr Jahani said potential investors had been hard to find for the project because it was in such an early stage and was seen as too risky.

“If it had an EIS it would have been a different story.”

Meanwhile, the Gladstone Engineering Alliance (GEA) has remained very quiet on the situation and has not commented.

The GEA had been in discussions with the company for over 18 months about engaging in local investment and had facilitated a meeting between Boulder Steel and 40 local businesses only two months ago.

The company’s then Chinese backers had supported the move.

In January, Boulder Steel had promoted its share purchase plan at 2.1 cents per share.

Those funds have been frozen and it is understood that more shares had been taken up from people in Gladstone than from the rest of Australia.

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CQ blitzes mines rescue competition

Glencore Xstrata’s Oaky North team takes out first place.

LAST-minute team pull-outs, sweltering temperatures and reduced crew numbers did nothing to deter CQ from taking out first and second at the 51st Australian Mines Rescue Competition (AMRC).

Queensland Mine Rescue Services’ (QMRS) operations manager Ray Smith said conditions for the competition held at Caledon’s Cook Colliery near Blackwater were challenging from the outset.

“It was 39 degrees and each team was missing a player. Despite these obstacles,

Glencore Xstrata’s Oaky North took out first place and BMA’s Broadmeadows came second.

“Peabody Energy’s North Wambo in the Hunter Valley took out third place despite having three ill players and a vicecaptain who had to pull out part way through, so it’s fair to say everyone had to put in that little bit extra,” Mr Smith said.

The theme of the emergency exercises was windblast, and teams worked through various scenarios.

“There were fires to extinguish, casualties and deceased [workers]

to retrieve, men trapped under overturned PJBs to save, fan shafts that required urgent repairs, realtime gas monitoring to be done and mine seal sites to reseal. It was a challenging day.”

But it seems the challenges didn’t stop at the scenarios. Teams had to deal with the physicality of Caledon’s Cook Colliery mine too.

“Cook Colliery is unique in that the secondary escapeway has a wind up shaft so the teams were also dealing with casualties coming up in the cage, but all of the injured received first aid and no man was left behind, so that’s a great result,” Mr Smith said.

What wasn’t so great was the Lithgow team pulling out at last minute due to bushfires in their region.

“It was very disappointing for us but I’m sure it was even more disappointing for Centennial Coal’s Springvale mine when they had to pull out. But when there’s a real-life emergency you have to be there.”

After Springvale’s pull-out, organisers decided to take one person from each team to put together an eighth team.

That team was the Barbarians and the last-minute challenge didn’t deter them either.The team came second in the surface competition.

“The way the last-minute team worked together so smoothly is testament to the true nature of Mines Rescue in QLD and NSW and the Australian competition.

“It’s a great example of mines rescue members working effectively in an unexpected scenario, which is what a real-life rescue would be like,” Mr Smith said.

“The last-minute team worked so well together you’d be hard pressed to pick them as the last-minute team. It goes to show that our training, systems, procedures and protocols will work in any situation.”

So park your parkas, Oaky Creek Coal North. It looks like next year you’re off to the Ninth Biennial International Mines Rescue Competition in Poland and it won’t be the heat you’ll be worrying about!

For more information about Queensland Mines Rescue contact Operation Manager/Chief Assessor Ray Smith on (07) 4958 1422.

Anglo axes 200 WORKERS at Dawson mine near Moura are gutted after finding out Anglo America will axe 200 jobs.

Anglo is blaming high coal prices and a low exchange rate for the decision, which has devastated workers and their families leading into the holiday season.

Contractors will be cut and permanent staff made redundant, with only a portion to be voluntary.

Mine manager Aaron Puna says their employment will cease at the end of the month.

“The continuing low coal prices have placed considerable pressure on profitability,” he said.

CFMEU spokesman Steve Smyth said workers helped boost productivity to a $4.7 billion profit, and deserved some job security.

Mr Smyth said union delegates will meet with the company to discuss entitlements and redundancy arrangements.

“From our members’ perspective we’ll continue to deal with the matter and ensure Anglo follow the certified agreement and what the law requires in relation to consultation and working through this.

“There’s still a lot of unanswered questions but you’ve got to feel for those unfortunate people who have lost their livelihoods.”

“Leading into Christmas, we’re what - four to six or a bit more weeks away from Christmas - and they’ve now got to look for new jobs,” he said.

11th November 2013

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It’s not just miners eating all the pies

WHEN it comes to the fat stakes, the finger has often been pointed at miners, where three out of four are packing a substantial girth.

But a new health survey has found the general population has caught up, and it’s not just miners eating all the pies.

North Queensland has three in every four adults either overweight or obese in a region stretching from Mackay to Townsville, west to Richmond and south to Clermont.

That makes it the second fattest region in Australia.

Central Queensland’s collective waistband is stretching too. Allmost 70 per cent of its population is obese or overweight - 38 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.

Last month the state government launched a new public awareness campaign to try and tackle these rising rates of obesity.

“Queensland has the highest rate

of adult obesity in Australia at 30.4 per cent, compared with 27.5 per cent nationally,” Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said.

“Research associated with the campaign shows even though 65 per cent of Queenslanders are overweight or obese, one third do not realise it.”

The mining industry is notorious for its unhealthy lifestyle, and most accommodation providers have made big changes in recent years to promote healthy living.

Many provide gyms and healthy food options.

Easternwell, a drilling and well servicing company, overhauled its camp menus earlier this year by increasing the number of vegetable, chicken and seafood dishes and offering less red meat as part of its employee Healthy Lifestyle Program.

In six months, Easternwell saw significant changes in behaviour - vegetable consumption increased by 10 per cent and red meat consumption decreased by 10 per cent. Seafood consumption increased by 5 per cent and chicken consumption increased by 10 per cent.

However, it is not just changing eating habits. It is a lifestyle change that includes exercise, which can be difficult in the mining and resources industry.

One construction worker in the industry who declined to be named has seen the weight gain on his colleagues.

Operators are often the ones on the worksite carrying the extra weight, he said.

“But having said that, I am looking right now at one of our operators who drives the biggest machine on site and he’s about the size of my arm.”

Those labouring keep the weight off, he said, but once they are off the ground and driving machines the battle of the bulge begins.

“We have one bloke here who started off really slim until he got promoted. He drives around all day and he’s got quite the gut.”

“When people start on the ground, they seem to lose a lot of weight.

“But then you have the shift work, the quick food and the lack of physical work and next minute you get the wobble up and turn into an oompa loompa.

“That’s why I jump on the bike every night.”

Livingstone suicide warning

Anthony Morice committed suicide in November 2011.

ANTHONY Morice was three months shy of his 18th birthday when he took his own life.

It’s taken his mother, Amanda McCasker, almost two years to be able to talk about it without breaking down.

“His story needs to be told,” Ms McCasker told Shift Miner.

“One Saturday night he went off to an 18th birthday and was the life of the party.

The next afternoon he gassed himself in his car.”

Ms McCasker was one of 11 people running for councillor in the Livingstone Shire election held at the weekend (Saturday, November 9) - and she ran on a mental health ticket.

The electorate encompasses the seaside town of Yeppoon, a large base for mine workers and their families, and Ms McCasker

says it makes her message all the more critical.

“Suicide awareness is absolutely critical and I am worried about this region because the Kimberleys has the highest rate of suicide in Australia and Rockhampton is right behind them.

“We need to remove the social stigma that is attached to suicide and talk about it. When Anthony died it wasn’t even reported at the time, the police told us there would be no publicity.”

Ms McCasker said that needed to change, and suicide and mental illness should be dragged out into the light.

“I knew Anthony had depression, because I was extremely close to him. We’d always sit down and have a cup of coffee in the morning but he’d been pushing me away and getting more and more distant.

“Often in mining families the dad works away from home and that means keeping an extra close eye on depression and mental illness.”

Ms McCasker said she hoped by speaking out she would help others.

“Anthony was an extremely strong boy all his life and I will spend the rest of my life getting over the fact we have lost him.”

“

I’m a long term resident of Moranbah and enjoy raising my family here.

Working at The MAC has given me great opportunities to build my career through ongoing training.

”

Alexis Coutts Health, Safety, Quality and Environment Coordinator The MAC Moranbah

As Australia’s leading workforce accommodation provider, The MAC is committed to employing locally and providing learning opportunities through our training programs.

This is just one of the ways we are helping to sustain the growth of our local communities.

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11th November 2013

Local Jobs. Local Business. Local Partnerships.

themac.com.au

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FEATURE

MAINTENANCE & HIRE

For the past 12 months the coal industry has undergone an enormous transformation, with the focus on cost-cutting and boosting production to combat falling prices. Angus Peacocke explores how companies are hiring rather than buying to keep within tight budgets, and whether there’s a maintenance boom just around the corner.

11th November 2013

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FEATURE

www.shiftminer.com

Tsunami of maintenance heading A VETERAN of the Central Queensland mining support sector is forecasting that a “tsunami of maintenance work” is heading towards local business.

Allan Ruming runs Group Engineering in Mackay and says the coal sector is about to catapult into unchartered waters.

“In my 38 years in the industry, a big spike in demand for maintenance has accompanied every production phase of a mining boom,” he said.

“What is different between this boom and others is that when the coal price fell and we entered the production phase, spending just fell off a cliff.

“In the past, there was a smoother transition from capital expenditure to maintenance expenditure as prices fell, and often maintenance was hidden in capital expenditure.

“But this time there has been a total stop on all maintenance spending, but with record production at some point we will definitely see a big

escalation in spending.”

Mr Ruming said the big question is how that work will be released to the market.

“Will it be in a controlled fashion or will it all come at once? I would have to say that, based on past experience, it will probably come in one big wave.”

According to the Queensland Mines Department, in 2007 the average yearly output of saleable coal per employee was just over 9200 tonnes in Queensland.

By 2012 this had fallen by nearly a half to 5300 tonnes per employee.

Blinded by record coal prices, many mining companies allowed productivity to fall and costs to get completely out of hand.

But with prices no longer masking the fundamental problems in Queensland coal mining, companies are driving their people and machines harder to achieve record production.

Export tonnages along the Dalrymple coal chain have increased nearly 20 per cent in the first three months of this

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11th November 2013

financial year and are the highest in more than five years.

At Abbot Point coal terminal near Bowen, throughput of coal is up by nearly 50 per cent. At Hay Point, coal exports are up more than 40 per cent in the last 12 months.

So what does this all mean for maintenance? Well, the formula behind the tsunami forecast is fairly simple.

If you have a situation where there is no maintenance expenditure, and production is at record levels, at some point there are going to be breakdowns.

“I think a lot of coal companies are using up whatever head room or spare capacity they have to maximise production and keep their maintenance costs down,” said Mr Ruming.

“Having said that, there is a difference between underground and surface mine maintenance.

“Some of the underground maintenance businesses are as busy as they have ever been, underground you cannot afford to stretch out

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FEATURE

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this way… maintenance - if the system breaks down it is a disaster.

“However, with surface mining I think things are being stretched out because you have more scope to improvise and keep the wheels turning if there is an issue.”

Mr Ruming said one client told him how productivity has been increased by 38 per cent on one Central Queensland mine site, at the same time as costs were reduced by the same amount.

“I have been told the maintenance budget for BHP this year on their Queensland coal mines is $950 million, but noone on site wants to be the one to spend it, because they are all paranoid about costs.

“The buzz word is debottlenecking. Everyone is out there looking to smooth out issues in their supply chains.

“But even if you’re using the same fleet - they still rack up the hours, and the cost of not doing ongoing maintenance is that it becomes major maintenance.

“Once the hours start accruing, components start to fail and you have got major downtime issues.”

Mr Ruming said there is no doubt the tsunami is on its way, it’s just a question of when it hits.

“I just hope that work arrives soon so that businesses currently struggling to keep the doors open can do the work when it’s needed.”

PRODUCTION - AT A GLANCE 2012/13 (tonnes)

2011/12 (tonnes)

2007/08 (tonnes)

Dalrymple Bay Coal Chain Q1

16,830,155

14,4048,319

n/a

Abbot Point Coal Terminal Q1

5,528,530

3,669,246

n/a

Hay Point Coal terminal Q1

9,506,402

6,769,357

n/a

Productivity per employee (QLD)

5,323

6,517

9,275

Maintaining CSG MANAGING the maintenance requirements of the CSG plants in Gladstone is going to be a far bigger job than many people realise.

There is a popular myth within industry circles that once the CSG infrastructure is built, ongoing maintenance needs will be minimal.

However, it is all a question of perspective.

The workforce at the three LNG plants will fall sharply to around 800 once the operation and maintenance phase is reached - down from the current 10,000 strong construction workforce.

However, the annual budget for maintenance on each of the LNG sites is around $150 million a year and every two to three years a shutdown workforce of 600 will be required for each of the six LNG trains in operation.

Put another way - if all the LNG trains in Gladstone underwent their shutdown at the same time, you would need a workforce of 3,600 to carry it out.

Glenn Porter, chief executive of Energy Skills Queensland, says the CSG industry will have an enormous demand for maintenance services.

“If you look at the operation and maintenance of the upstream transmission and plant itself in CSG, the total workforce required is going to be about 15,000,” he told Shift Miner.

“That is a major revision upwards from the 7000 we previously thought.”

“But looking at maintenance alone, there is going to be a shutdown workforce required of about 600 people per LNG train every two or three years.

“In a town like Gladstone that is going to be a major demand and they are going to have to co-ordinate with the other alumina and energy plants in the region.

“You obviously couldn’t have it all happen at once, they are going to need to coordinate it.”

Mr Porter says the skills

sets required for maintenance shutdowns are not vastly different for LNG. with fitters, welders and electricians all required.

However, he says the gas sector does have a unique demand for instrument technicians - a skill currently undersupplied in Queensland.

“There is still a shortage, we just haven’t trained enough people in that area,” he said.

“And there is a little bit more technology in the CSG plants than perhaps the shut down crews are used to in Gladstone, with the complex refrigeration required to make LNG. “The maintenance demands of these projects is going to mean that a core group of people are going to be able to live and work in Central Queensland, because there is a critical mass of work to keep them employed.

“However, that core group is likely to be complemented by a workforce that just flies in for the shutdown.”

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Send in the hired help

SKY HIGH: Hire equipment is in demand as coal companies look to cut costs

A RENEWED focus on costs in the mining sector makes the case for hiring equipment strong, according to the Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA).

Chief executive of the HRIA, Phil Newby, says hiring equipment can allow mining businesses to reach their goals without unnecessarily tying up capital.

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“Hiring equipment is fully tax deductible which makes good economic sense during tough economic conditions,” Mr Newby told Shift Miner.

“By hiring, mining companies and related businesses can offset any outlays, recoup some of their operational costs, and limit their overall capital equipment

purchases, all the while enabling a wider range of jobs outside what they might normally do.

“In this environment, hiring becomes a smart alternative to buying outright and that is a serious proposition to consider, people are increasingly seeing the advantages of becoming more hire-conscious.”

Mr Newby said by hiring equipment, companies had immediate access to a large range of modern, new equipment.

“Once the job is finished, the equipment can be returned, without the worry of depreciation, repairs, maintenance and storage costs, or whether that piece of equipment will ever be needed again.

“Essentially, hiring returns control to the end user by offering options, freeing up capital and allowing end users to plan when equipment is required and when it’s not.”

Brant Jansen, regional manager for Flexihire in Central Queensland, says they have seen a slowdown in demand for equipment in line with the broader correction in mining.

However, he is optimistic that a recovery is just around the corner.

“The mining sector has been affected without doubt,” he said.

“For our business the major slowdown has been in the last few months, but I am still cautiously optimistic. From discussions with our different customers and

FEATURE sources, we feel we are going to see a return to more normal conditions around Easter.

“I think it is a good time to take stock as a business, and work on improvements to ensure that when things return we can ensure timely and excellent service to our customers.”

Not surprisingly, many of the region’s hire businesses now find themselves servicing the CSG sector as well as the coal sector.

While the two industries are similar in some ways, they are completely different in others, according to Ezyquip hire manager, Denis Gardner.

“The fundamental differences would be the type of equipment offered to the mining sector is generally larger and involves machines that have higher production rates,” he said.

Additionally, the mining sector normally requires a higher utilisation of equipment through a continuous operational roster covering all days of the month.

“In the CSG sector rosters are traditionally three weeks on, one week off.”

Shift Miner’s Most Eligible

Bachelor & Bachelorette They’re our final contestants in our search for Queensland’s most eligible.

So let’s start with our Bachelorette:

Megan Walker, 21 Blackwater mine When I’m not at work you’ll find me: At the gym, beach, or somewhere with a great/funky atmosphere with food, and most likely at the shops.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is: Do not chase people. Work hard and be you. The right people who belong in your life will come find you, and stay.

Do your thing.

Now to our final entrant in the Bachelor stakes - and it comes with a big question. Who IS Erwin Hebler?

Do you know him? Does he really exist?

Send us a photo of Erwin at work, or text us his whereabouts to 0409 471 014.

My perfect date would be: Somewhere over-looking the ocean - a nice restaurant with a great wine/cocktail list.

Erwin Hebler, 24

My friends say I am: Energetic, fun to be around, a little crazy at times, and a good cook.

My life is best described in the song: Fill me up by Jessica Mauboy because all I do is get filled up cause my butt welder has a small fuel tank.

My best attribute is: My good head of hair and when I slick it up for the club.

If I could invite three people to dinner they would be (and why): Gav, Clark my best mate, and Miranda Kerr.

My signature dish is: Tacos, you can never go wrong!

If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Make-up artist or interior designer.

Butt welder, workplace unknown

My friends say I am: Bulked up and a ladies’ man.

My signature dish is: Two minute noodles with cheese and BBQ sauce.

If I didn’t work in mining or industry I would be a: Full-time farmer on my farm. We breed Pomeranian dogs and have several hundred head of dairy cows.

If I could have any animal as a pet I would choose (and why): My Pomeranian - they’re the cutest dogs.

Listen to Frank the Tank interview our contestants - go online to www.shiftminer.com or download the Shift Miner iphone app

30th September 2013

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Shift Miner Magazine

Around Town

www.shiftminer.com

I LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE! Priscilla Queen of the Desert Princesses made a guest appearance at the Middlemount Police Charity Golf Day. It was an entertaining day of golf, which featured a sporting memorabilia auction and dinner at the Middlemount Golf Club. The event succeeded in doubling the planned $3000 donation to women’s cancers research. [Photo credit: Nicky Way]

Craig Wight and Matt Kenny

(L-R) Priscilla Princesses Ida, Gretchen and Anala

Legends of the last place Phaidra Hird and Annette Chappell

Chef’s Neville Dean and Jamie Sullivan

(L-R) Women’s breast cancer fundraising extraordinaires Alex Chapman, Marni Duffy, Kate Clive and Janelle Titmarsh

Event organisers Kate and Brett Clive

(L-R) Ray James, James O’Neill and Steve Coleman

(L-R) Terese Wilson, Leanne Dalglish, Katrina Cavanagh and Deborah Hema

(L-R) Celestine Kenny, Jane Pickels, Vicki McLean, Linda Veurman, Greg Pickels, Ragsy McLean, Steve Coleman and Anne Baker

(L-R) Mark Catt, Luke Shackleton, Brad Hudson and Shane Anderson

Steve Coleman and Ashley Reid

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.

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11th November 2013

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Around Town

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PINK PARTY!

Middlemount girls dressed up for a big night out in the Mount to raise money for breast and gynaecological cancers. Pink featured prominently, as did a group of good-looking waiters! [Photo credit: Nicky Way]

Amanda Catt and Tanya Miller

Cat Wilson and Jayde Scully

Nicky Way and Sonia Zettl

(L-R) Sonia Zettl, Cat Wilson, Claire Calleja and Jade Scully

(L-R) Kate Clive, Janelle Titmarsh and Ann Stewart

(L-R) Cara Leighton, Toni Patterson and Helen Daly

Kate Bachmann and Madeleine White

(L-R) Toni Patterson, Deborah Hema and Katrina Cavanagh

(L-R) Vanessa Pryce, Erin Leckie and Sophie Jarvis

(L-R) Helen Durrington, Emma Blades, Peta Muller, Ros Zischke and Linda Veurmann

Maxine Knight and Leesa Scotton

(L-R) Kathy Valinoti, Andrew McInerney, Samantha Boshoff and Ken McCaffery

Carolyn Gentle and Trudi Duffy

Katrina Doyle and Jackie Smith

Emma Merritt and Karen Kidd

(L-R) Priscilla Gaspar, Ashleigh Bigg, Shae McPherson and Sara Mitchell

Buy this and many other images at

www.shiftminer.com Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together 11th November 2013

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EDITOR’S PIC

FROm THE EDITOR

Kestrel behind two rising movie stars

Doldrums continue

(Left to right, back row to front) ‘Sand’ Director Stephen Page and cast Waangenga Blanco, John Harvey (producer), Jarli-Russell Blanco and Jakory Blanco at the world premiere of Tim Winton’s The Turning on the red carpet of the 2013 Melbourne International Film Festival.

TWO young Central Queensland indigenous actors have reached the big screen with help from Kestrel Mine’s Aboriginal Community Development Fund as the The Turning hits cinemas around the country this week.

Jarli-Russell Blanco, 11, and Jakory Blanco, 9, star in the adaptation of Tim Winton’s short story novel alongside

many well-known names including Cate Blanchett, Miranda Otto, Hugo Weaving and Rose Byrne.

The brothers travelled from their hometown of Emerald to Cronulla for filming last year and then to Melbourne this year for the world premiere, with support from the Kestrel Aboriginal Community Development Fund.

Photos to THE EDITOR

THIS past fortnight has not been one of happy news. We hear at least 200 employees will be made redundant at Anglo American’s Dawson mine near Moura and I ask myself – why are these announcements always just before Christmas?

My heart goes out to the workers and their families, who have been living under the threat of job losses for over a year, when grumblings first began.

Meanwhile, the projects in Gladstone are starting to wind down and while over 200 people have finished up at the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal’s earth works project, I hear many more have been leaving Curtis Island as their sections wrap up.

We now have a lot of people competing for jobs (thanks to big mining lay-offs) and – in classic economics 101 – wages have dropped substantially. In some jobs, it has gone from $40 to $30 and others who were once demanding $120 a-yearand-a-half ago are now down to $75.

And it’s not just the significant drops in pay; perks such as use of the company car have also been slashed. However, you don’t know what’s around the corner and it could be all systems go and you can bet the big mining companies will want everything done yesterday, and wages will

go up again.

It is out of this environment that we are seeing a huge rise in labour hire businesses. I am not sure what I think about this, but the business spin is that it’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Employees get their foot in the door and this can lead to permanent work, and businesses feel they are not constrained by red tape. A concern is that in a time when the demand for work outstrips supply, workers are in a more vulnerable position.

And to end off on an even more negative note – why do Queenslanders have to be such litter bugs? I was shocked to hear people were using a school bus stop as a toilet, and on top of that our state has been voted the dirtiest in Australia for the past four years. I live on a rural road – about five families live on a stretch over 20km – and it is a tip.

Incidentally we have a quarry on the same road and the rubbish stops directly in front of it. Grrrr.

Inga Stunzner Have you been affected by a wage drop?

Or the threat of redundancy? Do you know a litter bug? SMS your thoughts.

Comment or SMS 0409 471 014

CARTON OF BEER FOR YOUR EYES! It’s back by popular demand.

“Gladstone Ports Corporation’s fleet of D11Rs and D11Ts” Sent in anonymously

Text in your best snap to 0409 471 014

You SMS us a photo to 0428 154 653 of something you’ve seen on site.

A bogged digger, the boss’s chocked motorbike - whatever tickles your fancy.

Tell us in the text message what we’re looking at.

Every three months we’ll decide on a winner and post you out a carton of beer!

So SMS your pics to 0428 154 653

Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner.

Michael Bailey

Greg Cary

Alan Jones

Laurie Atlas

Weekdays 5am - 9am

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

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Frank the Tank’s Dear Frank,

I have nowhere else to turn.

I have been married 16 years and am happy. However, since returning from a 10-year rugby reunion, my husband will only make love with his footy boots on. He also makes me call the proceedings in a commentary manner. He says it helps him relive his glory, days but I find it very odd. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. What do I do?

Catherine, Mackay I know it probably seems a bit strange, Catherine, but it’s quite common for men to incorporate their interests into love making.

Take me for example.

It’s been well documented that I’m passionate about collecting antique sex mannequins. In fact I’m currently engaged in a heated bidding war with a Queensland billionaire (I won’t mention any names) in an effort to secure a sex mannequin that was recovered from the Titanic.

At first my wife was upset when I insisted a life-size, 100-year-old sexual antique be incorporated into our intimate times, but she’s grown to accept it.

I also have a friend who’s so obsessed with fishing that he likes to pretend his wife is an estuary cod.

He uses a rhythmic wiggling of his ‘rod’ to lure her out from behind snags so he can attempt to hook her.

It’s a disturbing spectacle. I could barely keep quiet the day he invited me over to watch from behind the two-way mirror in his bedroom.

In my opinion, Catherine, you shouldn’t be thinking about how you can talk your

Fair Dinkum!

husband out of his rugby fantasy. You should be considering what crazy fantasies you’d like to act out.

The door to a fabulous world of bizarre sexual roleplay is ajar - all you have to do is barge in and make sure you shower thoroughly on the way out.

Perhaps you rode ponies as a young girl. You could relive that fond memory by riding around the bedroom on your naked husband’s back while he makes noises like an excited horse.

You’re only really limited by your imagination, so don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

I’m certain I’ve warned people before about the dangers of role-playing, but it’s extremely important you don’t over commit to the fantasy.

For several years in the nineties I actually thought I was the Fresh Prince of Bel Air after losing touch with reality during an extended bedroom roleplay.

husband did after he apparently discovered his wife was cheating on him, and the video of his crazed act of revenge has gone viral on YouTube.

Internet sceptics are questioning whether the video is real, with some claiming that it may be a publicity stunt.

Earlier this year a minor league baseball team admitted to faking a rejected marriage proposal during a game to gain publicity.

Who could gun down this cute little critter? A police officer from Tennessee, apparently. When a squirrel went rogue inside a shop, the officer opened fire.

wife in bed with another man you’d be

pretty upset, but would you crash your car into your own house?

That’s exactly what one scorned

SENSIBLE SUSAN Catherine, I must say I’ve never heard of a man loving rugby quite as much as your husband.

You obviously love him very much if you’re willing to impersonate a commentator during sex.

Like any part of a relationship sex is about give and take.

You need to explain to your husband that you find the fantasy a bit odd, and that you’d like to see it put on the bench for a while.

If you’re worried about hurting his feelings you can always say you’re happy to ‘relive the glory days’ once a year on his birthday. .

Susan

Frank

IN CHINA

IN THE US - If you caught your

“Streakin” good love advice

- A 57-year-old man’s attempt to set up an anonymous sex date ended disastrously when the interested mystery woman wound up being his daughter-in-law.

The two hit it off online and decided to meet at a hotel, only then discovering they were closely related through marriage.

To make matters worse, the man’s son uncovered the trail of emails arranging the sexual rendezvous and went to the hotel hoping to confront his wife’s suitor.

Needless to say an incredibly awkward moment ensued when the man arrived and discovered that his wife had unwittingly teed up an affair with his father.

IN GERMANY

- Dogs are getting high from eating the excrement of junkies in a Berlin park...wait, what?

Local veterinarians have reportedly noticed an increase in dogs being treated after eating human excrement in public spaces frequented by junkies.

The unfortunate canines reportedly experience dehydration, inability to walk properly and suffer a rapid heartbeat.

These symptoms are thought to be caused by traces of drugs like heroin left in the stool of frequent drug users.

IN TENNESSEE

- A police officer has been fired after an altercation with a rogue squirrel. The officer attended a convenience store in response to a call that a squirrel was running amok inside.

In what can only be described as an excessive use of force, the officer drew his pistol and fired at the squirrel before attempting to subdue it using pepper spray.

The officer refused to explain why he chose to gun the squirrel down. Maybe he just went nuts.

11th November 2013

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MOVIE Review by Justin Carlos

The god of thunder is back PUZZLES

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upset by his brother’s attack on Earth.

Meanwhile, the nine realms are coming into alignment for the first time in over 5000 years, creating all sorts of astrophysical anomalies...oh, and giving an ancient dark elf the chance he needs to

Iron Man, Captain America and co to do battle with an army of aliens led by Thor’s brother, Loki.

The Dark World kicks off with Thor travelling throughout the nine realms, attempting to restore the order that was

AUSSIE heartthrob Chris Hemsworth is back as the ultra-cool god of thunder in Thor: The Dark World.

The film takes place two years after the events of The Avengers, in which Thor joined forces with super hero buddies

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Across 1. Inflated party decorations 5. Champion 9. Parade participants 10. Twigs 12. Happening 13. Suffuse 14. Design system, ... shui 16. Systematic hunt for criminals 19. Factory check, ... control 21. Roasting appliance 24. Silly 25. Arouses again 27. Stages (play) 28. Supplied funds for 29. Falter 30. Reveals

destroy the entire universe.

Thor’s love interest, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), manages to get mixed up in the dark elf’s plan and, of course, Thor must travel to Earth to rescue her.

With the fate of the universe in the balance, Thor has no choice but to enlist the help of Loki, as the two put their differences aside to foil the diabolical dark elves.

It goes without saying, if you’re a fan of superhero movies you’re going to enjoy The Dark World.

The film is laced with the epic action sequences audiences have come to expect from superhero movies.

Like most of its caped contemporaries, Thor: The Dark World also features perfectly placed comic relief and an obligatory romantic subplot.

The landscape of cinema is saturated with superhero movies currently, probably because they’re a guaranteed box office draw.

The Dark World asserts itself as one of the best superhero films in recent memory, and perhaps the best sequel Marvel Studios has ever produced (fans of Iron Man 2 may disagree).

If you enjoy superhero movies, action movies or fantasy films then you will undoubtedly enjoy Thor: The Dark World.

Die-hard fans looking forward to the Avengers sequel should be sure to stick around after the credits for the traditional end of film teaser.

Down 1. Furniture cane 2. Song’s words 3. Alternate 4. Hospital career 6. Complicated 7. Collar 8. Admires 11. Became mature 15. Earthquake’s midpoint 17. Writhed # 57 18. Slingshot 20. Soil 21. Formal address 22. Redeem 23. Incidental comments 26. Crockett’s fort

LAST EDITION’S SOLUTIONS B O T A N I S T A R A M S P E C T R UM I A A G C A T A L OGU S Y L V I C E M I N A E RO S O L T R I O TW I N S S O R T T T E R A S E D B S T N S L E U T H C

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SHIFT MINER Handy Crossword 145ME - (15A grid) Handy Crossword 078s. pdf

© Lovatts Crosswords - 9/12/2009 - Artist -MB

Shift Miner Handy Cross blank grid.pdf ©Lovatts Publications 5/03/09 artist – mb

11th November 2013

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Bait Shop Banter

bait or semi-suspending lures.”

The fishing offshore has been a bit hit and miss.

“There’s been some good mackerel out around flat top and round top and the Sarina area, but strangely Seaforth haven’t seen any up that way,” said Clint.

The crabs have been extremely quiet in Mackay, but they’re expected to start moving after a bit of rain.

GLADSTONE

- The fishing has been extremely quiet of late thanks to an extended patch of bad weather.

Ollie from Pat’s Tackle World said there’s still fish around, but catching them has required some serious hard work.

“I went out for four hours chasing blue salmon and only caught one Moses perch, so it’s been extremely hard going of late.”

Small reprieves in the weather have seen committed anglers bag some nice fish.

“We had a two-day window of good weather and a few guys got out and caught some nice reds around Douglas Shoals, and I heard of a guy pulling in 18 king salmon up at Port Alma recently,” said Ollie.

It’s expected the fishing around Gladstone will pick up sharply once the weather improves.

Jimmy caught this nice fingermark whilst spearfishing.

YEPPOON

- Another bumper barra season has come to an end, but there was plenty of good fish caught in the Fitzroy leading up to the close.

Adrian from the Secret Spot Bait and Tackle said with barra season over, anglers will be heading elsewhere to target other species.

“Unless you’re fishing for salmon, the Fitzroy isn’t going to be too popular. Up at Corio they’ve been getting some good

bream, up to around a kilo and a-half, and if you fish the mouth of Corio there’s been some good-sized whiting caught on fresh yabbies and peeled prawns.”

The warmer weather has stirred up the crabs as well, and they’re on the move.

“There’s been a few crabs about, but the crab pot pirates have also been busy. If you’re going to put the pots in don’t leave them overnight. Drop them on the low tide and let them move up with the tide,” said Adrian.

MACKAY - All the action up

north is onshore at the moment.

Clint from Tackle World Mackay said the creeks around the area are fishing well, despite the closure on barra.

“Threadfin salmon are still thick in all the creeks, and there’s heaps of prawns around so it’s keeping them interested.

In the last month the mangrove jack have fired up too. Try fishing around the pylons of bridges at night-time with live

your weather forecast T

MACKAY

Gladstone

MACKAY

Gladstone

Mon 11

Record October storms WEEK 1 - A trough around 100-200km long brought record severe storms in October to the Central Highlands. Overnight on 31October a handful of severe storms with gusts over 90kph and flash flooding ripped through Springsure to Emerald. One farmhouse had the roof peeled back and all the windows on one side of the housed smashed. Falls of over 80mm inside an hour were reported. Emerald recorded its heaviest ( 57mm) fall in 36 years for October. Then, the following Monday around midnight another line of storms hit the same area. Lochington recorded 79mm, Craigmore 69mm and Emerald 39mm. This

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doused the fires burning in remote areas, making it the first time in 3-4 months with no fires in the Coalfields. Not for long! More heat and elevated fire dangers will now have the firies concerned again. This should herald more storms early in the week with some scattered 30-50mm falls and possibly 80mm, flash flooding and gusts to 90kph with an isolated severe storm. This will affect Surat/Rolleston on Monday, then Springsure/ Emerald/Dysart Monday/Tuesday, then Moranbah/Collinsville plus the coast Tuesday/Wednesday. Then a late isolated thunder storm on Thursday/Friday as the trough retreats west, ahead of a relatively comfortable easterly for the weekend.

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

angus.peacocke@shiftminer.com

With Mike Griffin

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3.22 1.30 3.71 0.90

0501 1106 1720 2346

3.45 1.18 3.74 0.74

0601 1209 1817

3.70 1.03 3.75

0036 0651 1302 1906

0.61 3.91 0.90 3.74

0120 0733 1347 1948

0.54 4.05 0.82 3.69

0158 0811 1428 2027

0.52 4.14 0.78 3.62

0233 0847 1506 2105

0.55 4.17 0.79 3.53

0553 1155 1809

4.42 1.41 5.07

0049 0659 1308 1911

0.80 4.81 1.19 5.16

0144 0754 1408 2004

0.58 5.16 0.99 5.17

0232 0840 1458 2049

0.45 5.41 0.88 5.10

0313 0920 1542 2130

0.43 5.56 0.86 4.97

0349 0957 1622 2208

0.47 5.63 0.89 4.81

0422 1032 1658 2244

0.55 5.63 0.97 4.64

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0333 0956 1616 2215

0.73 4.07 0.93 3.29

0359 1028 1648 2246

0.87 3.96 1.05 3.15

0421 1102 1721 2317

1.02 3.82 1.17 3.01

0447 1139 1757 2354

1.20 3.67 1.30 2.88

0520 1222 1840

1.39 3.51 1.41

0043 0609 1315 1935

2.78 1.59 3.38 1.49

0453 1106 1733 2318

0.68 5.56 1.09 4.44

0522 1138 1806 2350

0.85 5.42 1.25 4.22

0550 1209 1839

1.07 5.22 1.44

0021 0617 1241 1913

4.01 1.31 4.98 1.62

0054 0648 1318 1954

3.81 1.57 4.74 1.80

0139 0728 1404 2048

3.63 1.85 4.49 1.92

0241 0824 1506 2157

3.51 2.12 4.30 1.93

Boaties - a trough approaches! Mon: N/NE 10-15 gusting 20kt avo inshore. Tue-Wed: N/ NE 10-15 gusting 25-30kt avo. Isolated storm in south reached Whitsundays Wed. Thr: NE/E 10-15 gusting 25 in squally showers. Thr: ENE/ESE 11-16 with a squally shower mainly north of Yeppoon Fri: ESE 10-15 with a squally shower north of Shoalwater. Sat--Sun: ESE/E 10-15 tending NE avo in south. Still a brief shower risk north of Stanage Bay. WEEK 2 - The SOI has fallen to -1.9. The drought inland continues. This could mean the drier conditions continue in the Coalfields with interim storm activity.

November has been notorious in the past for some decent storms. The mild to warm

temperatures start the week. Then warm to very warm conditions by mid- week. Hot ( 35-37C) temperatures late week could herald higher fire dangers then another trough in the south. This has the tell-tale signs of more hazardous storms.

Marine lovers - the ridge should be weakening and sea breezes return! Mon: ESE/ENE 15-11. Tue: ENE/NE 10-15. Could gust to 18 inshore south of Cape Manifold. Wed: ESE/ENE 10-15 gusting to 18-20 kt inshore avo.

Thr: ENE/NE 10-15 gusting 20 afternoon inshore. Fri-Sat: N/NE 12-17 gusting 25-27kt avo inshore. Then a trough approaches from the south. Could have a wind change with a storm Sun/Mon?

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Fly first class free!

airport, act as though you booked a first class seat. When the attendant informs you that you’ll be flying economy cause a massive scene.

Start screaming about how your ghoul of an ex-wife (or husband) probably altered your booking on purpose to get back at you for insisting on keeping the good china after the divorce.

Nine times out of 10 they’ll upgrade you for free just to shut you up and keep the queue moving.

One time out of 10 you’ll be detained in an airport cell and will more than likely miss your flight. It’s a small price to pay for the prospect of an upgrade.

Dress to impress The man on the left is unlikely to have an upgrade, whereas the man on the right is highly likely.

IF you frequent the travel section of news sites you’ll probably notice that every couple of weeks they publish an article offering tips on how to get upgraded to business class.

Most recently I read, ‘Six tips to get a free upgrade to first class’, which offered suggestions such

as “politely letting the cabin crew know you’d like an upgrade”.

Unfortunately tips like this will see you stuck firmly in your uncomfortable economy class seat, most likely wedged between an elderly woman who falls asleep as soon as the plane takes off and an overweight

gentleman whose odour is both indescribable and inescapable.

If you want to elbow your way into first or business class you’ll need to be creative. Luckily Shift Miner is here to help.

Cause a scene When you arrive to check in at the

Most articles on getting free upgrades encourage you to dress the part. You need to create the illusion that you should be in first class. The best way to do this is to model your look on everybody’s favourite tycoon the Monopoly man.

If you wear a top hat and monocle and stroll confidently onto an aircraft, there’s virtually no way you’ll be flying economy.

By Justin Carlos Speak with a British accent For some reason speaking in a fancy British accent will bewilder most people into thinking you’re important enough to deserve an upgrade.

Just make sure you opt for a sufficiently posh accent.

Presenting at the counter and asking for an upgrade in a cockney accent could see you shovelling coal into a furnace somewhere in the bowels of the plane.

Threaten legal action As you strut up to the counter to check in, slip over on what you will later claim is an overpolished floor.

Start immediately raving about legal action to make up for the ‘damage’ to your back and claim that slipping over in a crowded airport has caused you significant emotional distress.

The powers that be will want to quash any potential lawsuit before it gets off the ground, so you should be able to secure a free upgrade (maybe more!) in exchange for keeping the matter out of the judicial system.

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modern minimalist Balinese inspired resort apartments and split level Jacuzzi penthouses all with extraordinary ocean views, at Waterfront Whitsunday Retreat sets new standards of luxury adult only boutique accommodation in the Whitsundays, guests can expect a high level of privacy coupled with exceptional unobtrusive personalised service, at Whitsunday Vista Resort located just moments from the vibrant Port of Airlie offers exceptional value ocean vista spa suites and apartments. www.athotelgroup.com

Airlie Beach Whitsundays QLD Australia t 07 4948 4300 e stay@athotelgroup.com w athotelgroup.com

11th November 2013

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Crazy US prison sentences

JUDGES in the United States have a lot more room to be creative when sentencing offenders than their Australian counterparts.

Check out these crazy prison sentences from our friends across the Pacific.

The court rules that you’re an idiot Shena Hardin failed to stop for a school bus. In fact she drove up onto the footpath to avoid stopping for said school bus.

Presumably the judge could have ordered she pay a fine of some sort, but he chose to sentence Hardin to stand on

a corner in rush hour traffic for two days holding a sign implying that she is an idiot.

gave up and went to basketball training.

I sentence you to classical music

Guilty! Now, lead this donkey through town

Twenty-four-year-old Andrew Vactor was facing a $150 fine for playing rap music too loud.

The sentencing judge offered to reduce the fine to $35 if he listened to 20 hours of classical music by Beethoven, Bach and Chopin.

She wanted him to see what it was like to listen to music he didn’t enjoy.

Mr Vactor reportedly made it through only four hours of classical music before he

In 2003 two teens stole and defaced a statue of Jesus from a church nativity scene.

The judge ordered they lead a donkey through town displaying a sign that read, “Sorry for the jackass offence.”

If embarrassment wasn’t enough of a punishment the two teens were also required to replace the statue, attend drug and alcohol counselling and serve 45 days in jail.

Cut your daughter’s hair and reduce her sentence In Utah a 13-year-old girl and her 11-yearold friend attacked a toddler with a pair of scissors and cut off chunks of her hair.

The teenager was ordered to pay damages, serve 30 days in detention and perform 276 hours of community service.

However, the judge offered to reduce the hours by 150 if the girl’s mother gave her a similar haircut...in Court.

She accepted the offer and lopped off the girl’s ponytail right there in the courtroom.

Isaac calls for unsung heroes

Suggested heading:Body: DO you know someone who deserves recognition?

The Isaac Regional Council is inviting residents to nominate an individual or group who deserves recognition for an Australia Day Award in 2014.

Acting Mayor Dale Appleton says it’s important for the community to recognise people or groups that contribute consistently to the Isaac region.

“We encourage residents to nominate

24

11th November 2013

a friend, family member, community leader or colleague within our region who has given their time to support the local community,” Cr Appleton said.

She said people who are considered role models or demonstrate excellence in their field are ideal nominees.

This could include teachers, athletes, community volunteers and medical and emergency staff, just to name a few.

“Nominating someone you think is worthy is a wonderful way to pay tribute to his or her achievements and say thank you,” she added.

“The nominee is often someone who has volunteered their time to an organisation, or more than one, for a considerable period.”

IRC invites nominations for the categories of Citizen or Young Citizen of the Year; and group or individual Achievement Medallions for sport, cultural or general achievement from the region’s north, east and west.

Nomination forms are available online, or contact your local council office for more information.

Shift Miner Magazine

Sport

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Bushwacking the competition in Bali

The Priscilla Princesses frock up for Golf Ambrose in Middlemount

The Brigalow Bushwackers in action on the field, and relaxing off it.

THE Brigalow Bushwackers Rugby Club has reason celebrate, recently winning the fourth division shield at the Bali International Rugby Tens tournament.

After winning two of their three pool matches, the boys from Queensland were ranked 11 of 24 teams at the competition.

They then dropped into the fourth division after losing their first match on day two of the tournament. Making their way to the fourth division final with some spirited rugby, the Bushwackers toppled 2012 premiers, the Northern Territory Bush Turkeyz, 12-5.

Tour organiser and coach Eddie Shaw said taking home the fourth division shield was a fantastic achievement.

“There were some pretty handy teams there. Western Australia sent over some premier rugby teams, as did south Brisbane.

Just to compete and do reasonably well is a great accomplishment.”

Rugby 10s is popular in Asia, and attracts teams from all parts of the globe.

“In that part of Asia there’s no 15-a-side rugby, so basically teams do the 10-a-side circuit all around Asia. It’s in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, just to name a few.”

“We played in Thailand earlier in the year and there were teams with ex-

Springbok players running around in them.

“We even heard that Dan Carter is planning to take a club side over one year and play in the Bangkok Tens. That’ll be a big year,” said Mr Shaw.

While it’s nice to take home a trophy, the Bushwackers trip to Bali was more about the journey itself than the quest for gold, Mr Shaw said.

“It’s to give young blokes an opportunity to play rugby and see the world at the same time.

“Unless you’re playing at the elite level you don’t get any opportunities to play overseas unless you get in and organise it yourself.”

OOH LA LA! A touch of glamour at the Middlemount Police Charity Golf Day. For more images turn to the Around Town pages.

DRIVING into Middlemount, you can see a giant stiletto on top of a golf cart and what looks like three drag queens playing golf. Are you seeing things?

No, it’s just the Midlemount Police Charity Golf Day underway.

Senior Constable Brett Clive of Middlemount Police said the four-ball, nine-hole Ambrose comp was fierce made all the more fierce by a roll of the dice to get a handicap.

“In the gross section Griegers Garnham Gang took out the trophy followed closely

by Team Tigerlillies, which was a good effort for these second placers considering they rolled a handicap of one!” SC Clive said.

“In the net comp Mac River rats from Mackenzie River came first, followed by the MET (Middlemount Engineering Team), and not to be forgotten is our last placed Legends team.”

Players were kept on their toes with

novelty holes and collapsing golf sticks.

SC Brett Clive said this would have to be one of the biggest turnouts ever for a charity golf day.

“There were 100 players including our Priscilla Princesses, travelling from across CQ including Mackenzie River, Tieri, Dysart and Middlemount to enjoy the day.”

And what amazing support it was.

More than $13,000 was raised in support of women’s cancers, including $9,700 raised by auctioneer Matthew Hite with sporting memorabilia.

“Everyone really got into the spirit of the day.

“There was great sportmanship and lots of non-golfers came along too and that’s what an Ambrose is all about - getting everyone out having a hit and a great day,” said SC Clive.

If you’re after a giant stiletto it’s going free to a good home!

Celebrating a long term future for Kestrel Mine Queensland’s Treasurer has joined Rio Tinto and Mitsui to officially open the $2 billion extension of Kestrel Mine.

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

The extension will add 20 years to the life of Kestrel Mine, providing a long term future for our workforce and the contributions we make in the community.

Pictured: Rio Tinto Chief Executive Energy Harry Kenyon-Slaney and Queensland Treasurer Tim Nicholls underground at Kestrel Mine.

riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

11th November 2013

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Shift Miner Magazine

www.shiftminer.com

Money Matters

Retirees feeling the pinch

A SHOCKING number of baby boomers are feeling the pinch, with power and insurance bills putting excessive strain on hip pockets.

Rising bills are leaving some over50s too broke to pay doctor’s bills, buy new clothes or eat out.

The National Seniors analysis of price rises and spending habits for over 50s has discovered a generation in dire financial straits, with 250,000 over-50s households unable to pay their bills on time.

Most of these affected households are forced to spend their money on essentials like power, water, insurance and medical expenses, costs of which are increasing alarmingly at three to six times faster than the rate of inflation.

Pharmaceutical and health insurance price rises are hitting over 75s the hardest, according to recent data.

Old-aged pensioners are spending 69 per cent more on medical costs than in 2006, according to a report by the federal government’s Household, Income and Labour Dynamics survey.

It also revealed that pensioners are spending more than half their income on bare essentials like groceries and power.

The numbers are even worse for poorer pensioner households, with 500,000 forced to spend 80 per cent of their weekly income on essentials.

According to the report, “The global financial crisis and low interest rates have reduced the income of self-funded households that rely on investments to fund their retirement, if rent increases the only possible options may be eating less or heating less.”’

National seniors chief executive Michael O’Neill expects the financial woes to worsen as more baby boomers reach retirement age.

“A very worrying trend is that some seniors may not be receiving health care when they need it because they have been forced to cut their spending,”’ he said.

“The cost of essentials has gone up and the sheer size of the increase over the past five years has really knocked people around.”

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