Sbn May 2015

SURAT BASIN

NEWS

28 May 2015

$1.30 inc GST

INSIDE Grain growers to boost fuel Page 5

Gas exploration pushes west Page 12

Opening doors in China Page 34

SURAT BASIN NEWS

THE NEWSPAPER

EDITOR'S

NOTE OVER the past decade the Surat Basin has embraced a period of significant change.

In just a few short years the coal seam gas industry grew at an almost unimaginable rate, transforming communities and economies from Toowoomba right through to Roma.

But all the while the region’s proud agricultural industry has stood strong and, despite crippling drought in some areas, it continues to do so.

While it has certainly faced challenges as a result of the CSG industry’s arrival, the agricultural sector also has new opportunities.

Toowoomba’s Wellcamp Airport has opened doors to new global export markets for the region’s high-quality beef products.

As evidenced by a Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise delegation to China this month (see page 34) there is a colossal market hungry for our beef products.

We just need to put the systems in place to deliver that market what it wants.

And with the news that the State Government is edging closer to a mandate for ethanol in fuel (see page 5) there could be new opportunities for the region’s grain growers to feed increased demand for grain suitable for use in fuel.

The Dalby Bio-refinery one of just three ethanol production facilities in Australia, so the Surat Basin is again in pole position to take advantage.

As the region goes through another major period of change, it’s important to remember that, sometimes, change is good.

THE VISION

The Surat Basin News publishes every Surat Basin News will allow local month and will be delivered via the four businesses to network and dominant newspapers of the region: the communicate with everyone in the 1200 Chinchilla News, Western Star, Dalby sq km basin, providing unprecedented Herald and The Chronicle. It will reach access to new clients and markets. It the homes and offices of almost 50,000 will give a revealing insight into major people living, working and playing in the industry while lifting the veil on current Surat Basin, connecting the business and and proposed developments. It will be mining communities throughout the there for each and every announcement booming region. Surat Basin News is a shaping the region's future while necessity. It was born out of a passion for profiling the colourful characters that Australia's fastest growing communities define our communities.

— a passion for a region of unbridled potential and a future of vast economic growth and opportunities. The newspaper, The Surast Basin News is inserted into professionally designed and regionally the four dominant local newspapers for topical, will be a must read for anyone the region: the Chinchilla News and associated with the exciting Surat Basin. Murilla Advertiser, Western Star Roma,

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THE

TEAM GENERAL MANAGER Erika Brayshaw Chinchilla 07 46729921 manager@suratbasin.com.au

ADVERTISING TEAM Greg Latta Chinchilla 07 4672 9927 greg.latta@chinchillanews.com.au Bobbie Gorring Chinchilla 07 4672 9930 advertise@suratbasin.com.au Karin-ane King Roma 07 4578 4103 karin-ane.king@suratbasin.com.au Nicole Boyd-Taylor Dalby 07 4672 5500 nicole.boyd-taylor@dalbyherald.com.au

EDITOR

Jim Campbell

PAGE DESIGN

UPDATES

Beth Walker

SURAT BASIN NEWS

Regular updates on www.suratbasin.com.au

12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413 PO Box 138 Chinchilla QLD 4413

PUBLISHED

The Surat Basin News is published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413

THE

INDEX

The Surat Basin News is printed by APN Print 50 Industrial Avenue Toowoomba

IN THE NEWS Ethanol mandate edges closer ..................5 Businesses prepare for future...................6 Curtis Island’s official opening .................7 Drought hits farmers hard.........................8 Solar plans crushed.....................................9

OPINIONS 25-29 Clarification

PLACES AND FACES

Miles Enterprise Evening ..................30-31 Murrays sets up shop ..............................32 Radio comms upgrade.............................33 Doors open in China ................................34 Food Leaders Australia launch ...............11 GRT’s leading the way ............................36 Land open for exploration........................12 Roothy’s outdoors feature...................13-24

DOWN TO BUSINESS

IN an article in last month’s Surat Basin News it was stated that New Hope Group’s Acland Pastoral Company was growing mung beans and sorghum on its rehabilitated mining land. In actual fact, the company grows mung beans and sorghum on land surrounding the New Acland Coal Mine. These crops are grown on buffer zones around the mine and this land has not been previously mined.

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THIS WEEK

GETTING CLOSE: Origin is preparing to commission its Condabri North gas processing plant, near Miles, which will involve flaring of gas during the process.

The next step

A

Major piece of network ready to fire

MAJOR cog in the wheel of Origin’s plans to export coal seam gas from the Surat Basin to the world is in the process of being commissioned.

Commissioning of the Condabri North Gas Processing Facility, just 4km south east of Miles, is expected to wrap up this month.

The process, which takes about two weeks to complete, signals that plant construction is complete and the equipment is ready for safety and quality tests.

Origin’s regional community relations manager Scott Bird said the company wanted to educate people living in the area as to what to expect with the commissioning of a

gas plant.

Mr Bird said while flaring — the burning of excess gas — would take place, Origin planned to undertake most of the flaring during daylight hours.

“In the event that any flaring may be required at night, it will be kept to a minimum,” he said.

“We’ve installed horizontal flare pits rather than vertical flare towers at the Condabri North facility to minimise any light impact on neighbouring landowners.

“Some nearby residents may still notice a glow from the facility in the rare event that flaring may be required at night.”

Mr Bird said initial commissioning involved

testing the electrical motors that run the gas compressors at the facility.

“We’ve adopted the use of electrical motors within the gas processing train to reduce any noise impact to neighbouring landowners,” he said.

“Once this is complete the compressors will be run continuously.

“During this stage, some flaring will be conducted, but mostly during day time hours.”

The development of Origin’s Condabri gas fields will progress over the next 30 years.

The construction phase has involved the development and operation of three gas processing plants, one water treatment

.

In the event that any flaring may be required at night, it will be kept to a minimum.

Origin’s regional community relations manager Scott Bird

facility, and so far almost 450 gas production wells.

It is expected the project will require about 1200 operations and maintenance jobs by 2018 across the Surat Basin. '%&#$'#"!

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PAGE 3

IN THE NEWS

IN THE NEWS

PAGE 4

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

IN THE NEWS

Making progress

Ethanol mandate edges closer Surat Basin grain farmers could be big winners if ethanol mandate is set

A

LONG ROAD: Fedearl MP Bob Katter and former Member for Condamine Ray Hopper visited the Dalby Bio-Refinery last year during a push for a 10% mandate on ethanol. OPPOSITE PAGE: Macalister farmer Ross von Pein has campaigned in support of an ethanol mandate. sorghum consumers.

“We don’t get a subsidy of any kind,” he said.

“Where is the fairness? I think it is a downright disgrace.”

Mr Roberts said his biggest objection to ethanol was using a food product for fuel.

But Mr Weir said there were multiple uses for sorghum.

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MANDATE for the use of ethanol in fuel appears to be edging closer, creating big opportunities for the Surat Basin’s grain farmers.

LNP Member for Condamine Pat Weir has said changes in party leadership were behind the LNP’s strengthened position on the ethanol industry.

The party sought support for an ethanol mandate for fuel in Queensland Parliament this month.

A private member’s bill proposing an ethanol mandate was introduced by former Katter’s Australia Party Member for Condamine Ray Hopper last year.

That bill was rejected by the State Development, Infrastructure and Industry Committee and ultimately never passed.

Mr Weir said while the party was supportive of the industry, the issue was not as “clear cut” as the bill Mr Hopper proposed.

“There was always support for ethanol but not a mandate,” he said.

“It’s going to be interesting to see whether a mandate is the right way to go.”

The Dalby Bio-Refinery is one of three ethanol production facilities in Australia.

The LNP failed in its attempts to introduce a bill to mandate ethanol fuels in 2002, 2004 and 2008.

AgForce grains president Wayne Newton said the LNP’s stance on ethanol was frustrating.

“It’s part of politics but I wish some people would take a firmer stance,” Mr Newton said.

“I think it’s fair to say we were a little surprised when this came up so quickly.”

The State Government committed to introducing a bill to support an ethanol mandate last month.

Mr Newton said AgForce strongly supported ethanol-blended fuels.

“We’ve been lobbying to get the government to look at this issue,” he said.

“If the demand is there for fuelling cars it’s only reasonable people are able to use it.

“Grain is just another energy and protein crop.”

But Sandalwood Feedlot managing director Kev Roberts said mandated ethanol fuel would create an unequal playing field for

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“It’s just another outlet for our sorghum just like the feedlot is another outlet for our sorghum,” he said.

Mr Weir said there was still no solid platform on what the mandate would be.

The State Government will release a discussion paper on the biofuels industry by the end of this month.

Mental health at risk in FIFO culture A CENTRAL Queensland resident of 37 years has warned suicide is becoming “all too real in this world of FIFO”.

In Carol Paul’s submission to the fly-in, fly-out Queensland Parliament inquiry, she describes the practice as destroying her hometown of Dysart.

The inquiry, which began last week, will also cover other long distance commuting work practices in regional Queensland.

It will consider health impacts on workers and their families and the projected growth in FIFO work practices by region and industry, among other related topics.

Ms Paul said FIFO mining towns were dying and parents were missing important milestones in their children’s lives while they were in work camps away from home.

“Kids are missing either their mums or dads. They need them to come home every day, not just every few weeks,” she said.

“This is breaking down marriages – where the dad is just a pay cheque coming home at the end of his round, and mum and the kids are getting on with their own lives in another town.”

The infrastructure, planning and natural resources committee chair overseeing the inquiry, Mirani MP Jim Pearce, was expecting many submissions to be made about FIFO. Written submissions closed on May 25 and a committee report will be given to parliament on September 30.

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PAGE 5

IN THE NEWS

LOCAL businesses from across Queensland’s Surat Basin have shared their stories with the GasFields Commission about their first-hand experiences, insights and lessons learnt supplying products and services to the onshore gas industry. Here, they talk about how they are adapting their businesses to the next phase of the industry as it transitions from construction to long term operations.

Electrical contractor takes on challenges of a new industry Gavin Walton, Condamine Electric Company - Dalby

D

alby-based electrical contractor, Gavin Walton of Condamine Electric Company says he saw the arrival of the coal seam gas industry several years ago as an opportunity to grow his business, but it has not been without its challenges.

In this article, Gavin Walton has shared with the GasFields Commission his first-hand experience servicing the onshore gas industry in the Surat Basin and how his local business is adapting to the current industry transition from construction to production.

Gavin Walton is the true definition of local business person. He grew up and did his electrical trade in Dalby. For a few years he did a stint overseas working on a range of electrical automation projects before returning home to open his own electrical contracting business in 1991.

Meeting the business challenges of a new industry So when he first noticed the coal seam gas industry was increasing its activities in the Surat Basin in the mid to late 2000s, he saw it as yet another opportunity for his business to grow and expand.

“We’ve always taken the gas industry as an opportunity – one may not always like or understand everything that goes on with a new industry like this, but I believe that you need to get involved and be on the inside to try and have input and to perhaps be better informed,” Gavin says.

“We had already began making moves towards Quality Assurance for Management, Safety and Environment, however the Gas industry really drove us to another level of

compliance. To compete there had to be a lot of change, which required huge reinvestment into our business.

“It is big changes when you are used to doing work on a handshake,” he says.

“We’ve doubled our turnover last year but our profits have not increased dramatically and you wonder sometimes if it’s all worthwhile.

“The gas industry has kicked us along - I wanted to play in that field – we’ve had some good contracts and a range of interesting work for our guys. We have learned a lot, our company has matured and I appreciate the opportunity.”

Construction boom overlooked some local contractors Gavin feels that during the hectic pace of the construction phase for these onshore gas projects the real value of local contractors has sometimes been overlooked.

“I think at times the gas industry can be business stuffers not necessarily business builders,” Gavin says.

He recalls at the onset of the boom his company lost seven tradesman over a period of two to three months or half of his workforce at the time – as the larger multinational contractors offered extraordinary pay packets that couldn’t be matched by local firms.

He knows of other local businesses that simply closed their doors as they lost staff and couldn’t compete during the construction bubble.

Operations phase provides ideal opportunity for local firms However, Gavin is confident that local contractors will prove their worth and potentially reap more rewards during this next phase of operations and maintenance for the gas industry in the Surat Basin.

“I think over the next three years it (the gas industry) will be seen as just another industry in this region and I believe our time as a local contractor will come during this next operations and maintenance phase – servicing and maintaining the existing Dalby-based electrical contractor Gavin Walton (left) with infrastructure.” technician Dan Morrison.

Roma-based welding services provider, Gavin Fleming (left) and operations manager Mark Theron.

Business set for next phase Gavin Fleming, Fleming’s Welding Service - Roma

G

avin Fleming from Roma-based welding services firm, Fleming’s Welding Service reckons with the current oil price slide and downturn in resource industry activity that he’s seen it all before and believes things will turn around again in the future.

In this article, Gavin Fleming has shared with the GasFields Commission how his local business is adjusting to the new economic environment and transitional changes underway in the onshore gas industry in the Surat Basin.

He says its times like the present that reaffirm his cautious approach and focus on sustainable business growth in order to help weather the ups and downs of commodity price cycles.

Gavin’s family business produce and repair pipework for well heads, gathering lines and compressor stations. They have been servicing the conventional oil and gas industry since 1994 and in recent years has been providing services to all the major coal seam gas (CSG) proponents in the Surat Basin.

While Gavin like many local businesses took advantage of the CSG development boom and increased his staff from six to about 30 people, he’s always kept a careful eye on his overheads and the future.

“We’ve still got enough work coming in

and we’ve maintained our staff levels.

CSG industry helped bring change Gavin acknowledges working with the CSG industry has helped to drive some positive changes in his own business in particular gaining their ISO9001 accreditation and improving and streamlining their account management, ordering and other business processes.

They have recently introduced Enterprise Resource Management (ERM) software which is providing additional processes to help better manage business processes and seize opportunities.

Positioning for the next phase Gavin is optimistic they will be ideally placed to take advantage of the next phase of the CSG industry as it moves from the construction to long term production phase.

“Our business has always been more focused on the maintenance side of things.

“Lots of the gas infrastructure now in place out there will be operating for the next 30 or 40 years and will require ongoing repairs and maintenance for all sorts of pipework.

“We are local, we are experienced and been here awhile and will be in the future so I’m confident we can continue to support and service the CSG industry over the long term,” Gavin says.

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IN THE NEWS

SETTING SAIL: Cargo ship Methane Rita Andrea docks at Curtis Island near Gladstone.

The gas is flowing

Ships carry valuable cargo to the world Premier visits QCLNG’s world-first LNG export hub

A

TOTAL of 16 massive cargo ships have left the Gladstone Harbour filled with liquefied natural gas bound for markets around the world.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Federal Industry and Science Minister Ian Macfarlane toured the Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) plant on Curtis Island, near Gladstone, this month to mark the start of commercial operations from its first production train.

The event follows the start of production in December when QCLNG became the world’s first LNG facility to be supplied by natural gas sourced from the Surat Basin’s coal seams and started loading the first cargo.

Since then, 16 LNG cargoes have been

shipped from QCLNG as commissioning and performance testing of the plant was undertaken by constructor, Bechtel Australia.

The partners in Train 1 are BG Group (50%) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (50%) which is also a foundation customer.

Production from the first LNG train is the result of more than four years’ development and construction on Curtis Island near Gladstone and in the gasfields of the Surat Basin where all critical path infrastructure is now complete.

QGC managing director Mitchell Ingram said the project was generating natural gas supplies for the Queensland domestic market

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszcuk and Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane meet with QCLNG workers on Curtis Island. as well as the LNG export industry.

“We’re proud to be delivering an important new energy industry for Queensland and world markets,” Mr Ingram said.

“Congratulations to our team and Bechtel who have worked hard to achieve this milestone.

“We also greatly appreciate the support received from our partners, governments,

contractors, suppliers, our many landholders and community members.”

The project will expand further with the start-up of the second train which remains on track for the third quarter of this year.

At plateau production, expected next year, QCLNG will have an output of about eight million tonnes of LNG per year.

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PAGE 7

IN THE NEWS

Worst drought in history?

A

This month’s Federal Budget has presented new opportunities for farmers struggling with drought in the Surat Basin.

New options for Basin farmers Tax specialist says new policy could help Basin farmers fight drought deduction,” Mr Molesworth told a post-budget breakfast event in Brisbane.

A record 80% of Queensland is now officially declared in drought – the largest area ever officially recognised.

Mr Molesworth noted these same farmers, no doubt struggling to make ends meet in such harsh conditions, would need to find the cash to the pay for the fencing upfront to claim the deduction.

But he said there were no set time limits to take advantage of the new deductions.

“Given that ... 80% of Queensland is drought-declared at the moment, how many primary producers will actually have taxable income against which to offset these deductions may be questionable,” Mr Molesworth said.

“The idea behind this policy was to attempt to make primary producers more resilient to drought, to allow them to fence off watercourses, to allow them to put in

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“These changes to the tax system are not time limited; primary producers will not have to do this within the next two years.

“They’ll simply have to do it before the next government comes along and decides they don’t like this any more and change the policy.

“These are some reasonable concessions for primary producers.”

Referring to a media investigation into working holiday visa holders forced to work on farms at below minimum wage, Mr Molesworth received a loud crowd response when he mentioned they would now automatically be taxed as non-residents.

“The ABC did an expose on Four Corners about how pitiful the wages were that those people were receiving so the government has responded to that by saying those pitiful wages will be taxed at 32.5 cents in the dollar from the first dollar,” he said.

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QUEENSLAND tax specialist has questioned whether drought-stricken farmers across the Surat Basin will actually be able to take advantage of measures to make them more resilient on the land.

Mark Molesworth, from worldwide audit and tax firm BDO, said allowing businesses in primary production to immediately write off fencing costs, previously deductible over 30 years, from July 1 next year was a positive move. In a move to help drought-proof land, the new Federal Budget also allows primary producers to write off new water infrastructure – such as dams, tanks, pumps and irrigation lines.

Many of these could be written off over three years previously.

Fodder storage assets, such as silos, now will be deductible over three years, down from various periods up to 50 years.

“That is actually a big bring-forward of

LMOST two thirds of Queensland’s farmers have told their industry group the drought gripping the state is the worst in living memory.

The survey of AgForce members across 31 drought-declared councils highlighted the ongoing pressure the drought was placing on rural communities.

About 50% of survey respondents lost up to half their gross annual income and 17% reported an income reduction greater than three-quarters.

About 85% reported running less than three-quarters of their long-term stock carrying capacity with one in five carrying less than a quarter.

One in seven has less than 10% of their potential surface water supply.

AgForce president Grant Maudsley said the April survey showed most producers had slashed their herd numbers and cut back on the state’s grain planting in response to the dry.

“The current drought means most Queensland farmers in these shires won’t make a profit in the current decade and it is now threatening the viability of rural communities as well,” Mr Maudsley said.

Of those who commented on the household allowance application process, more than four in five believed the process was onerous, complicated or repetitive.

IN THE NEWS

New CEO ready to go

A

WHAT A WASTE: AREVA wants to crush hundreds of solar reflectors it has stored at a property outside Dalby.

AREVA’s crushing waste

E

NERGY company AREVA wants to crush a field of solar reflectors stockpiled on a property outside Dalby.

Western Downs Regional Council mayor Ray Brown said the company advised the council it intended to dismantle the reflectors.

The reflectors were constructed for the Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project – a 44-megawatt solar thermal addition to the CS Energy’s Kogan Creek Power Station west of Dalby.

CS Energy chief executive officer Martin Moore refused to answer questions on how the project would be impacted if AREVA crushed the reflectors but in a statement said they were only a “portion” of the project.

“The majority of equipment for the project is stored on the project site,” Mr Moore said.

Cr Brown said he wanted to see the reflectors salvaged rather than destroyed.

“They were left there in good faith on a temporary basis, they have been there for significant years now and no action has been taken,” Cr Brown said.

Mr Moore said the issue was a commercial matter between AREVA Solar and the property owner.

Cr Brown, despite his objections to the proposal, said the council could only address it under planning laws.

He said he was working with AREVA and Minister for Industry and Science Ian MacFarlane to see the

What is the project?

■ The Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project will make the Kogan Creek Power Station home to the largest solar integration with a coal-fired power station in the world ■ The system will produce 44 megawatts of electricity during peak solar conditions, or 44 gigawatt hours of electricity per year ■ AREVA Solar designed the project to use its Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology to supply steam to the power station’s turbine reflectors used in other industries.

“Renewable energy getting crushed like this is not where we want to be.”

Mr Moore said the company was continuing to work with AREVA to resolve project issues, which had caused significant delays.

“The Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project has experienced delays due to a combination of factors, including commercial and technical issues,” Mr Moore said.

According to its website, CS Energy intends to have the Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project completed by late 2016.

APN has emailed AREVA’s head office and is waiting for a response.

PUBLIC service veteran who has worked at the top level of both sides of politics in Queensland will soon take up a position at the helm of Western Downs Regional Council.

The council this week announced that Ross Musgrove would Western Downs Regional Counreplace outgoing chief executive cil's outgoing chief executive officer Phil Berting (right) welcomes officer Phil Berting. new CEO Ross Musgrove.

Mr Musgrove most recently served as both chief operating officer and deputy director-general in the Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet under the Campbell Newman-led government.

But the 49-year-old has also worked extensively in Queensland Health, education and the Queensland Police Union.

He said he worked as the deputy-director general for renewal under the Newman Government, admitting he was involved in the massive reduction of the state’s public service sector during Mr Newman’s reign.

“I was involved in a lot of workforce changes, but the focus always was how do we deliver better cost-effective services to the people,” Mr Musgrove said.

But he said he had received “no instruction” to conduct a similar redundancy program across WDRC. “The council clearly has a focus for improving services for ratepayers and I have a very strong background in doing that,” he said.

Mr Musgrove said WDRC was “quite a progressive council” and he saw great opportunities for the region with the construction of Toowoomba’s Second Range Crossing.

Mr Musgrove grew up in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria, an area which he said had also faced challenges with the resource sector existing alongside agriculture.

He said he had spent little time in the Western Downs, apart from driving through the area over many years, and that he would be renting a home in Dalby and looking at land on which to potentially build.

Mr Musgrove said he was proud to be a grandfather with adult children, and on weekends he liked to “back slow horses” and support the Brisbane Lions.

He will start his new role on June 29. Mr Berting will retire on July 3.

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PAGE 9

DOWN TO BUSINESS

DOWN TO BUSINESS PAGE 10

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

DOWN TO BUSINESS

FLA could be Basin’s gamechanger Food to be spread from Basin to the world

T

HE Surat Basin’s reputation as a powerhouse in agriculture and food producing will be shared with the world under a new initiative called Food Leaders Australia (FLA).

The program, driven by Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) in partnership with the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), sees the development of an Agri-food hub positioned to assist food producing and processing businesses reach global markets.

More than 150 business and industry representatives attended the launch event, which was held at Inbound in Toowoomba in May, with the Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier Stirling Hinchliffe on for the launch.

In particular, FLA has identified a need for business, industry and researchers in the region to work collaboratively to develop new technologies and innovations to put their collective best foot forward when trying to reach booming overseas markets such as Asia.

It is already well-known that Asia, with its rapidly growing middle class population expected to reach 3.5 billion people by 2030, represents a monumental opportunity for the Australian food and agriculture sectors.

With the Surat Basin region ideally positioned to service this market now with its very own internationally capable airport, Food Leaders Australia will also cohesively engage businesses working within these sectors with the regions freight and logistics capabilities in order to capitalise on opportunities presented by China, and other destinations such as India and the UAE. TSBE General Manager – Agribusiness and Export, Jo Sheppard, said the Food Leaders Australia launch was the start of new era in the food and agriculture space in the region where working together was key.

“Food Leaders Australia is about supporting food producing and food processing businesses across our region to strengthen their capability while at the same time,

positioning the region as a national leader in premium food production,” Ms Sheppard said.

“The launch of Food Leaders Australia marks the beginning of a commitment to collaboration and shared vision between industry and key stakeholders to work together to better understand and capitalise on emerging opportunities, new markets and ways to do business” USQ’s Institute for Agriculture and the Environment Executive Director, Professor Steven Raine, said the launch of Food Leaders Australia provided an opportunity for guests to begin to understand the importance behind FLA and engage with the concept moving forward.

“The launch of Food Leaders Australia represents an opportunity for Australian farmers, businesses and government to reflect on their role in creating a high value food and agricultural future,” Professor Raine said.

“The opportunity to attract new investment and jobs into the region is large but we will need to work together to focus on key markets and products, create scale and build connections across the supply chain.”

Australasian food manufacturing specialist Wiley sponsored the launch event, with their Business Operations Manager – Toowoomba, Michael Matthewson, speaking to the audience regarding Wiley’s position in the food innovation space.

The coming months will see FLA roll out a number of initiatives with the FLA team eager to hear from businesses working in the food and agriculture space in regards to what support they may need to expand their global opportunity.

“FLA already has initiatives underway including an Export Master Class, market research and supply chain work, but we are really keen to hear from food businesses further in regard to what assistance they need to grow their potential,” Ms Sheppard said.

FLA LAUNCH: USQ’s Kevin Norman, TSBE’s Shane Charles, the Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, TSBE’s Jo Sheppard and USQ’s Professor Steven Raine. OPPOSITE PAGE: Kevin Norman with Rob Anderson from Agrifoods Australia.

Nic Nilson from Toll People and Janice Cowie from Yalara Hydrogardens.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

PAGE 11

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Save email time by building your system

IT advice with Daniel Davis from Darktime Computer Services

T

CHARLEVILLE AIR: The release of land for exploration in South West Queensland could mean more traffic for QantasLink at Charleville Airport.

Exploration permits could open new basins State Government releases huge swathe of land for exploration

C

HARLEVILLE and the south-west could benefit from the release of more than 11,000km of the Cooper and Eromanga Basins for petroleum and gas resource exploration.

GasFields Commission of Queensland Chairman John Cotter said the deal was great news for the local economies in regional communities like Charleville.

“They’ve put this tender out for people to express interest in but they’ve got a period of time to get an exploration permit to do it,” Mr Cotter said.

“It’s not going to create a boom town, but a good quality industry that will complement agriculture.

“It brings other services into the place and improved infrastructure.”

The news comes right after the

Queensland Government announced the plan to revamp the Charleville Airport, potentially improving the shire’s position and infrastructure for FIFO workers.

A section of the Surat Basin was also released for exploration.

The Surat Basin section being offered is about six square kilometres located 22km south-east of Condamine.

While tenderers looking to explore in the Cooper and Eromanga basins won’t have to pay to apply for an exploration permit, those interested in exploring the small parcel of land in the Surat will pay.

State development and resources minister Anthony Lynham’s office said in a statement the Surat Basin competitive tender would include a cash component because “it is highly prospective and

close to existing coal seam gas production leases”.

Dr Lynham said the Surat Basin section was close to QGC and APLNG’s existing operations and infrastructure.

He said successful tenderers would be granted a six-year petroleum and gas exploration permit if they met environmental, land access and native title requirements.

“Into the bargain, Queensland offers potential investors access to $70 billion worth of infrastructure in pipelines, processing facilities and liquefaction plants,” Dr Lynham said.

He said the state was targeting potential explorers and investors in Europe, North America and Asia.

The closing date for tenders is October 8.

HESE days those of us in business seem to be inundated with email — some legitimate, some a waste of your time, and then there’s the email with sinister intentions.

So, what can be done to save us from our inboxes?

We have all tried adding the offending email or sender to our junk email list and the next day there is yet another email that’s almost got the same sender but is spelt slightly different and the junk email filter missed it, so you add the new sender to the junk list and the cycle starts again.

The better way is Spam Filtering, the way this works generally is some programming is done in the back-end on your MX records (Mail Records) to have them point to a mail server that will clean and remove the unwanted and sinister email and then push the mail straight back to your mail server or inbox.

The idea with offsite spam filtering is that the spam never makes it to your network.

Most spam filtering companies only charge a few dollars a month for this service and your local IT company can help you with setting this up.

We would all like it if our antivirus had built in spam filtering but most of them don’t.

Who won’t email you?

Your bank, or any bank, Federal Police, Australia Post, Traffic Infringements.

Keep an eye out for attachments that are in a zip file.

Let’s say that you receive an invoice from a company in your inbox and it has an Invoice.zip attached, firstly you need to ask yourself, do we actually deal with this company?

If you do, then ask yourself, “Why would they need to zip the file, why didn’t they just send it as a PDF like everyone else does?”

If you don’t deal with the company at all then there is no need to open the email.

You decide to risk it all and unzip the attachment which in fact doesn’t contain a pdf but an executable or .vbs file and a few minutes later you have trouble opening documents and you quickly can’t access any of your important files.

Unfortunately we have seen the third scenario happen too many times, which is a large cost to business not only in time but money.

Think about some sort of spam filtering, you won’t see those 15 unwanted emails, that will save you 10 minutes a day That’s 50 minutes a week and about three and a half hours over a month!

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YOUR FIX OF TOURING & ADVENTURE

ALL NEW 2015 4WDING SERIES AVAILABLE AT WWW.LOWRANGE.TV A

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PAGE 13

ROOTHY’S BUSH MECHANIC

FILLING

THE GAPS

THE BACKSTORY FROM THE BEARDED MAN BEHIND THE WHEEL WORDS BY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROOTH

P

eople keep asking me why my technical yarns always degenerate into meaningless dribble while the captions struggle to let you know what’s going on in. Actually, it’s only Chalky White who’s ever bothered asking me after he read one to get some tips on replacing the rope in his boat motor. He’d already bought Fat Kevvy a couple of beers hoping he’d lend a hand - Kevvy

having retired from the outboard fixing racket these days - but as anyone will tell you, Kev, like most Mudflatters, likes to mix work with pleasure. His pleasure is food and drink and he works hard at stuffing his face with both. Getting him out of the pub anywhere near happy hour is impossible unless you’ve got the keys to a pie cart.

Talking pie carts I planned on buying shares in the one around With an MDC XT10 in tow for trials we were able to pitch camp almost anywhere including this lovely secluded spot over near Elims Beach. The XT10 is quicker to set up than a camper trailer and offers so much comfort the Handbrake’s badgering me to get one now…

And just like Milo, the 76 got pushed to the point where she got stuck more than once! That was a good chance to try out the old Warn I’d fitted into the new OL bull bar. I love that bar, it offers more protection than anything on the market. Kinda necessary when you’re travelling big distances!

PAGE 14

the corner seeing as the cardboard diet the Handbrake’s had us on pretty much meant I’ve paid the bloody thing off anyway. I figured since jumping ship on the old paper magazine game last year that maybe it was time to earn a quid or two and peddling pies turns a profit.

But then my mates at Opposite Lock wanted me to product test some of their new gear starting with the Aussie made suspension they’ve been working on for a few years now. That gave me a great excuse to fit out the family 76 Series with one of their new steel bull bars and with an old Warn left over from Milo’s

product testing days suddenly the 76 started to look a tad serious. The old pizza cutters weren’t cutting the mustard though so I replaced them with a proven deal - Dynamic’s steel rims, the same ones on Milo and Mustard because they’re the toughest and most practical off-road rim on the market - and wrapped them in a set of Mickey Thompsons.

The family truck had grown some wings! Then Vaughan from MDC asked if we’d seriously Cape test one of his new XT10’s and next thing the Rooth family minus one (Holly had some exams on and couldn’t come) were heading to Cape York! Yep, just like work again,

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

only this time the Handbrake and the boys came along too. The only thing missing was Milo and yes, I did miss her, In fact going without my regular dose of Milo was starting to be a problem. Life was good, just missing something…

Then along comes old mates Gleno and Kenno and suddenly we’re into LowRange and life’s back where it should be!

Yep, I’m hiding in the pub pretending to work again when I’m not out playing in the shed or in Milo exploring new tracks across this incredible country. For a long time the only excuses I had to visits my mates down at the Mudflats

I figure it’ll be like the rest of Queensland. Some bloke from down south will believe that stuff and spool out a fat hundred thou thinking he’s getting waterfront land for half price instead of muddy water for half the day. Meanwhile we’ll keep chucking our crab pots in his front yard until the day we’ve finally got to rescue the poor sod from being carried away by the mosquitos. And you lot wonder why us Queenslander’s drink.

That’s right, it’s because a skinful of XXXX makes the mossies pick up the VB drinkers instead. My best mate Chooka reckons Bundy rum works too but there’s been a few issues testing that theory out.

We’re not sure if the red lumps on his arms and face are mossie bites or some strange reaction to falling face first into a plate of Chicken Masala after losing a fight with a 36 ounce Bear.

Did I tell you we’ve got a couple of new Indian restaurants down here on the Mudflats? Yep, it’s part

THEN ALONG COMES OLD MATES GLENO AND KENNO AND SUDDENLY WE’RE INTO LOWRANGE AND LIFE’S BACK WHERE IT SHOULD BE!

were darts night, and Olympic training sessions, and fashion show Fridays, and happy hour, and counter lunches, and...

Which rather conveniently brings us straight back to the pub again.

Yep, old Pelican Pete reckons he’s actually missed me pinching all the beer coasters to knock out my columns and the beautiful Dorelle, barmaid to the stars here at the mighty Mudflats Hotel, says she’s glad I’m back scribbling away too.

Apparently Flicky has been filling in, trying out his real estate blurbs on our Dorty. She reckons he’s more full of, err, poop than some of the places he’s trying to sell. Typical Disco driver...err, not you Gleno,

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anybody who can squeeze 470hp out of a bloody Disco ain’t typical...

Tell you what though, Flicky’s description of Dingo Dixon’s fishing shack as ‘A glorious remnant of our historical past, with views to die for, renovated conveniences and its own boat ramp.’ would have to win any fibbing race. Let’s face it, ‘remnant’ means the only one the council hasn’t bulldozed, ‘views to die for’ means you’ll probably drown at high tide, the renovation must mean the new plastic bucket in the outside dunny and I’m guessing the boat ramp is the grey motor Holden block with a chain on the other end of Dingo’s sunken baycruiser.

Doesn’t worry me though,

Product testing means keeping a close eye on wear and tear as well as evaluating the driving performance. Having proven the OL suspension on the road and tracks for over 10,000km I pout the 76 on the hoist for a full inspection.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

PAGE 15

FEATURE BUSH MECHANIC ROOTHY’S

This is the proven post-trip clean up procedure at Chateau Rooth on the Mudflats, the old tractor sprinkler running up and down underneath the truck. With the jets pointing almost vertical it moves very slowly which flushes all the salt, sand and mud out by giving it a good soaking.

That Cape trip saw 6400km of hard driving including plenty of little ‘excursions’ down side tracks to show the family what ‘dad gets up to in Milo’. We’d fitted up a set of Mickey Thompsons to Dynamic steel rims for the trip, wanting the best of everything…

OUCH! NO DEAR, I WASN’T TALKING ABOUT YOUR FAT... OUCH! DAMN, WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BELT ME WITH A FROZEN FISH LIKE OTHER BLOKE’S WIVES? SINCE WHEN DO WE FREEZE LOBSTERS ANYWAY? of the cultural benefits from down south. For the last hundred years or so the only tucker available here was fish cooked in pineapple or steak with eggs and a serve of pineapple on the side. Or Lily’s Chinese Gardens place which served these weird things called vegetables alongside the real tucker, sweet and sour pork with

pineapples. Then some bloke from Kentucky opened up a crumbed chicken shop where all the kids went after their herbs and with drive thru service it looked like being a real hit with the ‘taxi home from the pub’ crew too.

Until too many drunks spilt their gravy on the tarmac and the road got so greasy most cars slid straight

past the speaker pole and back on to the road. I never knew lard and fat were spices.

Anyway, now we’ve got a whole range of places to eat around the Mudflats and life has never been better. Especially for Chooka who’s only been banned from about half of them. It hasn’t done a lot for the Handbrake’s figure though, she’s

A few weeks after we got back from the Cape we decided to have a break at Fraser Island, this time with our old camper trailer in tow.

The Dynamics and Mickey T’s were in the shed because the Roo Systems team wanted the skinnys back on for some turbo tuning.

More about that next time!

You can tell the stretch in axle U bolts by how loose the nuts are after a good pounding. I couldn’t get anything out of these U-bolts - they were re-tensioned after the initial 500km - proving the quality is really there.

got to stay in her Morry or she doesn’t even fit through the drivethrus...

“OUCH! No dear, I wasn’t talking about your fat ... OUCH! Damn, why can’t you just belt me with a frozen fish like other bloke’s wives?

Since when do we freeze lobsters anyway?”

I’ll kill that bloody Kenno for getting the ‘Brake hooked on shell fish.

Yep, culture sure has got its drawbacks. Mind you, all the new technology sure has made life different. I used to use Doc Zig Zag’s computer to knock out some of my columns but things got hard, mostly owing to the Doc’s collection of medical type photos of young ladies with no clothes on. He’s a hard worker our Abdul, and one

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PAGE 16

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

of the best blokes with a needle and thread you’ve ever met. Word is he fixed a few blokes back in Afghanistan during the troubles, although word’s not saying whether they were as smart afterwards or not. Actually there’s an argument Kev pitched down at the Rissole club that says they weren’t real smart to begin with and maybe Abdul stitched their heads on the wrong end anyway. We know Abdul stitched the end of Long Bruce’s finger back on after Bruce got it caught under the G60 chassis and now old Bruce can’t give anyone the finger without seeing his own nail.

Based on that sound medical principle there’s probably a few blokes who get to drive their Hilux gun trucks flat out in reverse thanks to our Abdul. He’s good

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Whil the While h 76 is i up on the h h hoist i I’ I’m giving i i iit a bi big d dowsing i off L Lanotec underneath so she’s all ready for our next adventure, wherever that might be! I used to use a hand pumped until I discovered that an old spray gun does the job a whole lot quicker - it also mists everything else in the shed too… bloke but, even if he talks Swahili after a six pack.

Mentioning Long Bruce, one of my oldest mates here on the Mudflats and the bloke who first helped me spray Milo dark green almost fifteen years ago - and half the street at the same time - reminds me that he and the lads have been asking the Big Question lately, and maybe this is the place to answer it.

No, not that old ‘is there life after death thing’, only Father Cooky from the Church of the Brazen Lady and Custom Muffler Shop knows the answer to that and he’s spending more time at the track than he is dipping the font so that’s a worry. No, the lads keep asking me what’s Milo’s future? With a million Knacks worth of punishment up some of the worst tracks in

Aft finding no signs of seal leakages I checked all the bushes for distortion. That’s the big After difference between quality suspension and the cheap stuff, the quality gear keeps working well. So far I’m really impressed with Opposite Lock’s suspension - it works really well on and off-road and looks like lasting the distance too.

Australia, are we rebuilding her, or are we hanging her on a nail in a museum and building up Milo 2?

And no, as good as the 76 now is I intend keeping her more for my new role product testing for Opposite Lock, she won’t be replacing Milo. Mostly because the Handbrake’s started to love the new truck after it proved such a weapon up the Cape and wants to keep her

nice and close for family duties.

So the big question is Milo’s future. What’s that Chooka? Darts?

Yeah mate, why not, this pencil’s almost stuffed anyway. Father Cooky must be up the bloody Keno big time too.

Stay tuned, next issue I might try for an answer. She’s up on the hoist at Roo Systems and Gleno and the boys are giving her the once over

big time. Until then, well, I reckon we’ll just keep driving the old girl hard eh?

“OUCH!!! No dear, I’m talking about the truck....”

There you go! Got through a whole column without saying anything useful at all. Wow, LowRange means the happy days are here again! You bloody ripper!

Cop you later.

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

PAGE 17

KENNO’S BAIT BUCKET

Taking the tin lids on their

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KENT HINDLEY

FIRST FISHING TRIP

I

’m new to this parenting thing and I learn something new about it every day. So, I thought I would start by sharing things not to do when taking the tin lids on their first fishing trip and I’m talking from experience.

1 Try not to freak them out with the bait

The last thing you want is for the little ones hiding behind your legs every time you reach for the bait bucket and whatever you do never try to use live bait on the first adventure, unless you want to be baiting their hooks for them for the rest of your life.

Which brings me to point two and this is a big one.

2 You only want to use light gear

The last thing you want is your little tacker hooking onto a monster and the next thing you know your offspring is bare foot skiing down your local estuary with your favourite game rod in hand. You may never see that rod again, so I cannot stress enough - stick to the light gear. You will be able to find a good outfit for your little tacker in all tackle stores and in the right colour, because apparently the colour is very important too.

3 Colour is important

If the rod is not the right colour it will be rejected on first sight.

So I recommend taking the little one with you to help pick out the rod and reel combo.

And, while you’re there, pick up a kids prepacked tackle box (which also needs to be the correct colour). The kids kits you can get these days are great. It will have everything you will need to get the little ones started and you will probably find yourself raiding it from m ttime imee to ttime. im ime. im e from

Now it’s time to go fishing…

You want to choose a spot that you know there will be fish, even if they are only little ones. You’re not out there to try and catch enough to feed the family. The whole idea is for the little ones to have fun, which brings me to my next do not do.

4 Keep dad/mum excitement at bay until the fish is in

When you have cast the baited line out for the little one and you’re sitting there helping them hold the rod, try not to get over eexcited and hit them in the head w with the rod on the first bite.

It took me an hour to get my d daughter anywhere near her fi fishing rod after nearly knocking h out on the first bite - luckily her tthe rod did not get damaged. th

Well, that’s enough of what not to do. I advise you to try and encourage the tin lids not to wind in the line as soon as you hand them the rod. When I first took my daughter fishing she was two and would wind it in as soon as I handed her the rod. She would yell out “Dad, I got one!”, I would ask “what is it honey?” and she would reply “a worm!!!” (aka bait). It was funny the first couple of times, but this went on all day and if I didn’t answer her after she said “got one!” I knew about it. So, try to promote soaking of the bait, i.e, leaving it out in the water for a bit, even if it means removing the handle from the reel.

You can easily slide it back into a spin reel if they hook up.

Hooking up…

Try to remain composed and encourage continuous winding.

Have the drag on the reel set light, but not too light that the fish is going to wrap the munchkins line around something. You want them to wind the whole time, even if the drag is going off because this will keep tension on the fish making it extremely difficult for the fish to spit the hook.

This brings me to my last bit of advice when your little tin lid catches their first fish. Do not make the mistake I did and let them hold it.

The fish will flap around and spike them, setting this whole process back a couple of months. And remember, give your little one a fish and they will eat for a day, but teach them how to fish and they will eat for a lifetime.

Unless they are like me and even struggle to catch a cold.

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PAGE 19

NIRVANA CALLING LIFESTYLE CAMPING NEAR THE BEST SURF BREAKS

OUR PICKS OF SOME OF THE BEST OFFTHE-BEATEN-TRACK SURF SPOTS, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET THERE!

WORDS BY DEX FULTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY WARRY

I

t goes without saying, but owning a 4WD really does give you access to places that are simply mind blowing, and this goes double for those of us who are in a lifelong search for perfect point breaks, perfectly formed barrels and kilometre long rollers. Yep, if you’re a surfer, all you need is your board, your fourby and a swag to find true nirvana – it’s one of the best parts about living on a great big island!

Surfing and 4WDing have long gone hand in hand, even well known spots like Bells Beach and Noosa could only be reached by dirt roads a few short decades ago, and some of the best waves in the world can be found in remote locations that don’t see a lot of folks paddling out.

Sure, these days you can find any

number of great surf within cooee of just about any coastal city limits but they’re often overcrowded and besides, finding a new break is a big part of any surfing adventure!

So if you live to get away from the line-ups of dozens of other surfers, camp in some of the best locations on the planet, and get stoked on riding an azure blue barrel with nobody else around other than a few mates, then this is the article for you.

We’ve thrown together a list of a few of our favourite out-of-the-way waves that we’ve experienced over the years and have included the info you need to know for your next surfing trip. Oh, and if you’ve got a break that we need to know about, be sure to get in touch!

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

SEAL ROCKS, NSW

This entire stretch of the mid-north coast of NSW can turn on some magic surf conditions.

Lighthouse Beach and Treachery Beach at Seal Rocks are both south facing and cop the full brunt of a southern swell, resulting in some truly awesome waves. This entire region is still heavily surrounded by bushland and is surprisingly sparsely populated so there’s plenty of waves for everyone. As such it’s a perfect weekend camping and surfing experience. All you need to do is park the fourby on the sand, unstrap the boards and you’re off!

JOHANNA BEACH, VIC One of the best surfing spots in Victoria, Johanna beach may not be the hardest place to access, but the left and right breaks and big, powerful waves warranted a mention. The surf zone is made up of distinct bar and rip formations that are capable of holding big, surfable waves before closing out, thanks to the deep channels in the rips.

LOCATION: Johanna Beach, VIC GPS COORDINATES: Johanna campground 38.762483, 143.381106 FACILITIES: toilets, drinking water, tables ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: Easily accessed in 2WD

MARGARET RIVER, WA

LOCATION: Seal Rocks, NSW GPS COORDINATES: Treachery Beach -32.452852, 152.508917 FACILITIES: General store, water, showers and toilets all available at Treachery Camp ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 2WD access to the campground, but 4WD only onto the beach, the sand is soft!

THINGS TO KNOW: These waters have a wide variety of fish life, including dolphins, seals and sharks, so exercise caution.

Strong currents can also occur around the lighthouse headland, which is known locally as “Sawtooth”.

CRESCENT HEAD, NSW Pack your longboards for this one folks.

The stretch of coast running north from Port Macquarie to Crescent Head is truly world class, with no less than four right-hand point breaks that will suit everyone from elite pros to grommets, with rides of over 200 metres being available. The break at Crescent Head itself is a mecca for Malibu aficionados the world over, but for our money you’re better off going to the less travelled, if funnier named, Delicate Nobby to the south in the Goolawah Regional Park. Delicate Nobby is a spear shaped rock formation that forms breaks on either side of it making this place ideal for surfies looking for a fantastic place to bring the family. There’s caravan access if required and the real kicker for us is that you can bring your dog along too – with off-leash walking being allowed on the beach. Paradise found!

The mouth of the mighty Margaret River in WA is widely considered to be one of the best all-round surfing destinations on the west coast. Most people come here for the famous wineries, but the waves are equally prestigious in our opinion.

There are numerous breaks on the stretch of coast from Prevelly up to Yallingup, ranging from mild to wetsuit-fillingly monstrous depending on the conditions.

If you’re up for it, Prevelly is where you want to head. Six metre plus barrels over a shallow and razor sharp offshore reef mean that this one ain’t for the faint of heart. Big wave riders from all over the world come here to test their mettle, the locals tell us that it’s one of the only places in Australia where folks who wear helmets don’t get laughed at.

The water is treacherous. It’s lined with jagged coral and it’s chockers with sharks, but it is undoubtedly somewhere you’ll never regret coming to. We stayed at Conto’s Field campgrounds which were well appointed on the beach and about midway between Yallingup and Prevelly.

Great spot for fishing too if you don’t mind wetting a line.

LOCATION: Crescent Head, NSW GPS COORDINATES: Delicate Nobby -31.256835, 152.968426 FACILITIES: Amenities block, picnic tables, wood barbecues (bring your own firewood). You can also bring your dog with you (one of the only NP camp sites where you can) ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD beach access THINGS TO KNOW: The Delicate Knobby campground that’s run by the National Park does not take bookings. This place gets pretty popular during peak season so plan on getting there early. Both sides of Delicate Knobby headland can turn on some great surf, so be sure to check them both out

THINGS TO KNOW: The rips here are brutal, if you’re travelling with kids make sure they know to stick to the sand bars.

LOCATION: Yallingup And Prevelly, WA GPS COORDINATES: Conto’s Field Campground -34.057211, 115.01976 FACILITIES: Water, BBQs, tables and toilets. Bring your own firewood.

ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD access THINGS TO KNOW: It’s prohibited to collect firewood from the National Park, so make sure you stock up before you arrive at the camp sites. The surf around these parts can get huge – if it’s firing and you’re not 100% confident, maybe go fishing instead.

Be sure to grab a bottle or two of the local plonk for evening refreshments!

AGNES WATER, QLD Agnes water and 1770, two towns a few hundred kays north of Brisbane, are better known for their fishing, with giant trevally being sought by anglers from all over. However it’s also home to one of the best, if least known, point breaks known locally as the Springs which can deliver up to 500M rides with good barrels also on offer if the conditions are right. It starts firing at around 5ft and we’ve heard of locals riding 12ft monsters during strong south-easters. Camping is free and fires are permitted. Be wary of the rocks underneath as they’re sharp, and sharks are also plentiful in the area.

It’s not the place for you if you’re a big wave surfer, but we reckon it’s definitely worth the trip!

LOCATION: The Springs, Agnes Water, QLD GPS COORDINATES: Springs point break -24.233405, 151.937224 FACILITIES: None, but it’s only a couple of kays south of Anges Water township, so supplies aren’t hard to come by ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD access only

SIX METRE PLUS BARRELS OVER A SHALLOW AND RAZOR SHARP OFFSHORE REEF MEAN THAT THIS ONE AIN’T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART.

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

THINGS TO KNOW: Water is rocky and sharky and it is a hard to find spot. We asked a local who was only too happy to help us with directions. It’s about a 30min walk to the water, so take drinking water and lunch with you. Point is to the right of the beach entry

PAGE 21

LIFESTYLE CAMPING NEAR THE BEST SURF BREAKS

NINGALOO REEF, WA

LOCATION: Red Bluff, WA

GPS COORDINATES: You’ve probably heard of Ningaloo Reef for its abundance Quobba Station of marine life and diving attractions, but it’s a beaut 24.324574, 113.42514 surfing destination too with Gnaraloo’s Tombstones and FACILITIES: the Bombie and Surfers Beach in Exmouth all within a Everything you could need couple hours. Our favourite in the area has to be Red Bluff though. It’s on Quobba Station, a working station ACCESS TO THE 140km north of Carnarvon. They offer a wide range of CAMPSITES: accommodation from tent sites to waterfront cabins and is Rough roads, so 4WD is the a spectacular part of the world. best bet The ‘Bluff Barrel’ and the ‘Camp of the Moon’ are THINGS TO KNOW: closely guarded secrets by the locals, but with some Also take a diving mask and perseverance they can be found, and they’re well worth snorkel, if you think this place the hunt. Imagine a perfectly formed turquoise wave is magic on top of the water, rolling in as a left-hander from deep water breaks over the wait until you’re under it! stunning reef – it’s as beautiful as it is brutal. You have to pick your way out over razor sharp coral and poisonous sea urchins to get into the deeper water that’s home to bronzies and hammerheads galore. Once you’ve caught that first wave though, this place will have you for life. One of the best remote surf spots on the planet, no doubt about it.

ROBE, SA Stony Rise is a 900M long section of calcarenite (limestone) bluffs and reefs that envelope three small beaches. The Southern Ocean is wild in these parts and the surf won’t disappoint. The locals who surf here regularly tell us that Queens Head, Back and Evans Cave beaches are the go-to spots. Camping is available about 500M behind the rise, although when we were last there, it was pretty Spartan, so come prepared. If you feel like heading south, the Coffin Bay Peninsula also offers some world class beach and reef breaks.

LOCATION: Stony Rise, SA GPS COORDINATES: Stony Rise -37.184664, 139.749155 FACILITIES: None ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD access out of Robe THINGS TO KNOW: This is a hazardous section of coast with rocks, reefs and rips. Not for beginners. Usual National Parks fees and regulations are in place

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DOUBLE ISLAND POINT, QLD While the hordes of tourists are fighting for space at Rainbow Beach to the northeast, we reckon the much quieter Double Island Point is a better bet, and only seems to get busy between Christmas and New Years.

There are massive tidal pools which make for a nice warm swimming hole for the kids, and there are a few breaks that can develop at the point, depending on the conditions.

The western edge of the point, largely protected from the easterlies that can whip the surf right up, boasts a beautiful long, rolling right-hander that’s practically begging you to bring a longboard, 350M+ rides are common, and the water is always at least knee-deep so even if you do come unstuck the chance of hurting yourself is minimal.

Unfortunately, camping is prohibited on Double Island Point, but a leisurely drive back down the beach to Cooloola solves that problem. This place is bush-surfing at its finest.

GERALDTON REGION, WA Heading north out of the lobster-town of Geraldton you’ll find a stretch of coastline that has one of the most powerful left-handers in the country. Head north to Kalbarri and surf Jake’s Point, a cracking beach that’s set against the millions of years old rock formations found in the area. These breaks are easily accessible and as a result are generally pretty popular, so work your way south along the coast, onto Coronation Beach. There are plenty of awesome breaks along here, and you can camp right on the beach. If this place was any better they’d have free beer on tap!

LOCATION: Double Island Point, QLD GPS COORDINATES: Double Island Point -25.929951, 153.188839 FACILITIES: None ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD access only THINGS TO KNOW: Permits and booking must be done online before you arrive.

Campfires are largely prohibited unless otherwise signposted at Cooloola

YURAYGIR NP, NSW Yuraygir NP is just North of Coffs Harbour and is home to the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in NSW, making it the perfect destination for a weekend dash or week-long adventure. It offers a mix of beach and reef breaks (the fishing is world class too), although where to go will largely depend on the conditions.

During a nor-easter, head for the beach breaks to the south. You won’t go too far without coming across a good option or three though, this place has it all.

LOCATION: Pebbly Beach, NSW GPS COORDINATES: Pebbly Beach Campground -35.607095, 150.328651 FACILITIES: Long drop toilets, free firewood available at Station Creek turnoff ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD only. You have to drive along the beach and cross a saltwater estuary at low tide, so leave the caravan at home. Camper trailers would be fine though, after that you’re right on the water THINGS TO KNOW: Bookings aren’t available so get there early, drinking water is not available so bring your own, strong rips in the water so be aware if you’re travelling with grommets

FRASER ISLAND Indian Head and Waddy Point are two headlands on the northern end of Fraser Island that offer solid left-hand breaks.

It’s a fair hike to get here, which means that you’re almost guaranteed the place to yourself. With a decent swell from the south-east, this place has the ability to go absolutely bananas. Good enough reason to chuck the board on the roof next time you’re heading over to the big sand island anyway!

LOCATION: Fraser Island, QLD GPS COORDINATES: Indian Head -25.007198, 153.358045 FACILITIES: You’re on Fraser Island, there are facilities available, but being selfsufficient is a good plan ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: 4WD access only THINGS TO KNOW: There’s a reason most people don’t surf Fraser Island. It’s big, grey, has fins and lots of teeth. Although if sharks don’t bother you then there’s some cracking waves to be caught!

FINDING THAT NEW BREAK IS A BIG PART OF ANY SURFING ADVENTURE!

LOCATION: Coronation Beach, WA GPS COORDINATES: Coronation Beach -28.543211, 114.561796 FACILITIES: None ACCESS TO THE CAMPSITES: Mild to wild, depending on where you decide on camping THINGS TO KNOW: The region is also the windsurfing capital of Australia, but there’s no shortage of coastline to enjoy so pick your breaks accordingly if you want to be on your own.

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PAGE 23

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PAGE 24

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

OPINIONS

Time to shine

Expo is the stage to share knowledge

.

COMMENT JOHN COTTER Chairman of the Gasfields Commission Queensland

N

EXT month, the 2015 Surat Basin Energy and Mining Expo in Toowoomba will become the GasFields Commission’s centre stage to bring key gas industry procurement managers and local businesses together.

Following the success of our business forums in Roma and Chinchilla attracting 70 and 100 attendees respectively, the upcoming Expo is the ideal platform for local businesses and sub-contractors in the regions to connect with senior gas company procurement personnel and their major contractors.

Communication about the onshore gas industry’s development plans is the key to maximising opportunities where they exist for local businesses in regional communities - this is our core focus.

We understand the onshore gas industry’s transition from construction to production has been a challenging time for many businesses, making this timely engagement opportunity at the Expo even more crucial.

Despite a reduction in capital spending following the construction phase, the onshore gas industry will continue to invest in excess of $1 billion per annum over the

lifetime of these CSG-LNG projects making this the most significant investment in regional Queensland.

As with any development, as construction is finished a different skill set is required along with different equipment to operate and maintain a project.

The onshore gas industry is no different as it transitions into the production, operations and maintenance phase as well as further gas field development by drilling gas wells, installing gathering lines and building roads to mention a few activities.

Onshore gas proponents will be bringing representatives from some of their major contractors to the Expo which may well be the first opportunity many local businesses and sub-contractors have had to meet face-to-face with senior procurement people to better understand the process for supplying goods and services to the onshore gas industry.

Businesses in regional communities simply want to know where there are, and equally aren’t, opportunities for them to fit into the industry’s supply chain so that they can put their best foot forward and maximise every opportunity.

I look forward to seeing you at the GasFields Commission’s trade booth during the Surat Basin Energy & Mining Expo, 17 and 18 June at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

Visit us at ■ See you at the GasFields Commission’s trade booth during the Surat Basin Energy & Mining Expo, 17 and 18 June at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

Federal budget fails to fix financial hole created last year .

announcement recently of an impending El Nino it brings us back to reality that the vagaries of the weather are not in our hands.

Our planning applications have slowed but are still continuing on a reasonable growth trajectory across the Western Downs which is very encouraging for the future.

On a final note, it was pleasing to have several state ministers visit our region, recently.

We certainly welcome them to the Western Downs to witness, first-hand, the concerns some of our residents have at present across the Surat Basin.

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W

ith the release of the Federal Budget this month, it was encouraging seeing particular emphasis on small business and a generous support package for our agricultural sectors which will assist drought affected regions and help build local economies and development opportunities.

This will be a bonus to the Western Downs

(&#'$!%""

Cr RAY BROWN Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council

four major resource companies in our region are looking to the future with ongoing gas production and gas well development.

Obviously, there has been a lot of restructuring and renegotiating of contracts across the region which has had some impact particularly in job security.

We are certainly working with our communities to maintain job security and look at other avenues of engagement across the Western Downs.

With welcome rain events across the region, it has certainly put a bright outlook on our winter cereal cropping but with the

'(%#&%$"!

COMMENT

as development in any of the agricultural and resource sectors has direct impact on the growth and sustainability of our region.

However, it was disappointing that the budget failed to deliver on calls from local governments to reverse last year’s decision to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants.

This has a $1.4 million impact on Western Downs’ budget which Council is in the final stages of drafting.

With global prices in the petroleum industry affecting the ongoing speed of development in the Western Downs and the Surat Basin, it is encouraging news that the

PAGE 25

OPINIONS

Rail, roads in budget

Freight to improve with Inland Rail COMMENT BRUCE SCOTT MP Federal Member for Maranoa

R

EGIONAL Australia is at the heart of the 2015-16 Budget with the electorate set to benefit from the Liberal National Coalition Government’s commitment to bush communities, infrastructure, job creation and small business.

Federal funding is helping to fix up the Warrego Highway, which has been plagued by crashes in recent years.

This Federal Budget is an infrastructure investment in the Maranoa to unlock our economic capacity and make our region an even better place to live and do business.

In the Surat Basin, this infrastructure investment will create jobs and stimulate growth with funding to upgrade the busy Warrego Highway. The 2015-16 Federal Budget will invest $101.5 million as part of the $508 million I secured, as your federal member, for safety upgrades to Warrego Highway from Toowoomba to Miles.

The region will also benefit with up to $1.285 billion – with $316.65 million to be provided in 2015-16 – in funding for the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, a national freight corridor which will grow the Surat Basin’s agricultural sector and mining developments.

The Budget outlined more than $100 million, as part of the $300 million Federal Government contribution, towards the Melbourne – Brisbane Inland Rail Preconstruction Works.

This will significantly improve freight movements – including agriculture and coal – within the Surat Basin.

Our great nation’s beating heart is our small businesses and this government is committed to supporting this sector by cutting red tape to create jobs, increase stability and promote growth in our rural communities. Small business will receive a 5% tax cut and will be able to claim an instant tax deduction for any work-related purchase

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up to $20,000. This means small businesses can replace or upgrade machinery and equipment, provided each individual asset cost less than $20,000. There is no limit on how many items you can deduct.

During its five years in government, Labor had the five biggest budget deficits in Australia's history and now we're paying $1 billion a month in interest on that debt, that’s why governments must live within its means and create economic growth.

As outlined in the Budget, the Federal Government will save $325 million over four years by excluding FIFOs from the zone tax offset (ZTO).

A deduction designed for people who live in isolated areas, in recognition of the high cost of living associated with living in certain locations. This offset was also intended to encourage people to live in the town where they work, not for those who FIFO or drive-in/ dive-out of a mining region.

It’s estimated about 20% (180,000 workers) of all ZTO claimants do not live full-time in the zones. This crackdown will better target the ZTO to taxpayers who have taken up genuine residence within the zones to grow and support our remote towns and communities.

As the only Federal Member of Parliament living west of the Great Dividing Range, I believe it’s my duty to make sure those who live in rural and regional areas get our fair share during this difficult economic climate and this Budget is a win for the Maranoa.

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OPINIONS

Attack on industry not fair: Leahy Resource companies support of Surat Basin towns .

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COMMENT MEMBER FOR WARREGO ANN LEAHY

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ELCOME to the latest edition of the Surat Basin News.

Parliament has resumed and in the first real week of sittings the resources industry received a broadside from members of the Palaszczuk – Gordon State Government.

This comment from the Labor CFMEU advocate, and Member for Mirani has significantly angered the Resources Industry.

He said, “I am concerned that at this time in the history of coal mining in Queensland I am unable with confidence to point to any mining company that deserves the right to mine. It is a shambles at the moment”.

It was a totally inappropriate attack that denigrated an entire industry, including companies that employ thousands of Queenslanders—Queenslanders in all of our electorates—and the companies that also contribute billions of dollars to our economy.

These comments from the Minister for State Development, Natural Resources and Mines have raised more questions than answers for the Surat Basin.

He said in the Parliament, “Unfortunately,

I am concerned that at this time in the history of coalmining in Queensland I am unable with confidence to point to any mining company that deserves the right to mine. It is a shambles at the moment.

Labor CFMEU advocate with the Royalties for the Regions we find that the companies have now abrogated their responsibilities. They have said, ‘No, the Royalties for the Regions program will pick that up.’ To be fair, that probably was not anticipated by those opposite, but we are fixing that with our Building our Regions program.”

As the Minster now responsible for the Building our Regions program this raises questions. Will the Palaszczuk – Gordon Government continue to partner with coal seam gas (CSG) companies and local governments with the Building our Regions program where CSG companies have made significant contributions to communities through Royalties for the Regions?

Is Palaszczuk – Gordon Government across their brief, and aware of the investment that

Warrego MP Ann Leahy argues that resource companies do support local communities, such as QGC’s donation to support the Murilla Community Centre’s bus. resource companies have made to the Surat Basin infrastructure and services outside the Royalties for the Region projects?

The resources industry have been trying to assist Surat Basin communities over and above the Royalties for the Regions and the Minister’s comments in Parliament that they have abrogated their responsibilities is very disappointing.

Across the Surat Basin the industry has tried to provide additional services and

community infrastructure, for instance medical and aeromedical services, festivals, race meetings, annual sponsorship programs for not for profit groups, to name a few.

In a week that was a disappointing one for the resources industry it was the LNP Opposition who moved to repair the damage with a motion in the Parliament “That this House supports the resources and mining sector as one of the foundations of prosperity and job creation in Queensland.”

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PAGE 27

OPINIONS

The ‘new norm’

Massive investment still to come .

COMMENT MICHAEL ROCHE CEO Queensland Resources Council

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N the words of business leader Brendan Ostwald, adjusting to the ‘new norm’ is central to the outlook for the Surat Basin,

Queensland Resources Council chief says there is plenty of reason for optimism and by any measure, there is reason for optimism.

Quoting economic forecasters BIS Shrapnel, Brendan told ABC radio listeners that despite the pain of adjustment from an unprecedented period of resources sector

construction, the Surat region is on target to maintain major project investment of around $2.5 billion a year from 2016-17 onwards.

As Brendan described, that’s the new investment equivalent of two to three Millmerran or Kogan Creek power stations

Dalby business leader Brendan Ostwald (right) says adjusting to the “new norm” is critical for Surat Basin businesses.

every year.

The ‘new norm’ puts the Surat well ahead of the rest of regional Australia in terms of economic opportunity.

Complementing this outlook, the Queensland resources sector is starting to regain its global competitiveness.

One of the iron laws of any export industry is that the world sets our prices, and we set our costs.

As reported in our latest State of the Sector report, QRC members say hard work to cut costs has seen them move down the global cost curve, with 43 percent now in the lowest quartile, compared with just 19 percent a year ago.

Notably for the Surat, Queensland now has 20 percent of its oil and gas operations in the bottom 25 percent of global costs with 60 percent in the bottom two quartiles.

Another ‘new norm’ for the QRC is dealing with a new state government.

Our members are encouraged by the fact that the Palaszczuk Government has given the green light to many of the LNP administration’s initiatives that were in train when the January election was called.

It’s important to recall that since formation of the Queensland Mining Council in 1991, the peak representative body for the state’s minerals and energy resources has worked with ALP governments for 19 of the intervening 24 years.

The QRC worked alongside Premiers Beattie and Bligh to deliver the policy settings that underpinned the biggest private sector investment phase in the state’s history, including creation of the world’s first coal-seam gas export industry.

The Premier has defined her government as both consultative and jobs focused.

Those are the foundations for what we hope will be a productive relationship to benefit all Queenslanders.

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PAGE 28

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

OPINIONS

Budget hits and misses

Speed up approvals to help business Federal Budget gets a tick from TSBE chief .

COMMENT SHANE CHARLES CEO Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise

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All eyes were on Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey as he delivered his second budget, which TSBE CEO Shane Charles gave an overall ‘tick’.

Each company will be spending in the vicinity of $1 billion per annum in our region and projects like Senex will add even more.

Of course, we must also acknowledge the commitment to the Range Bypass.

Yet, where was the decision around Inland Rail, where is the Surat Basin rail line that

might kick start coal exports again when coal prices recover (which they will), and where is the decision to fast-track some big resources projects (such as Adani)?

Why do big projects take so damn long to approve?

I have no doubts it’s hard.

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I have no doubt we need to balance environment with resources.

However, we need some leadership at a political level to get big projects up and running so that small business is able to take advantage of the very welcomed measures in the budget.

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verall, for a region with a strong focus on small to medium enterprises, the Federal budget might be seen as reasonable.

The government has announced deductibility of business assets up to $20,000, lower corporate tax rates, some rural write-offs of property improvements, additional funding for childcare – all of which will assist local business.

We have had funding confirmed for the Warrego Highway and small funding for infrastructure for regional councils.

Overall, from a business perspective, I give the budget a tick.

Treasurer Joe Hockey chanted the mantra – it is a budget to allow small business to ‘have a go’.

The plan was seen as facilitating investment in jobs and economic development.

We live in interesting times.

It is tough at the moment in business, yet we live in a time of lower fuel prices (than we have seen in previous years), and record low interest rates.

To my mind, the challenge for governments (both state and federal) is to drive the economy through infrastructure.

Let’s see them approve some big projects so that business can get on with what they do best – delivering them.

It is great to have a jobs plan, and give incentives to employ more staff, but the reality is, we need work. We need big projects.

This region is travelling relatively ok compared with others and in a large part that is thanks to the gas sector.

PAGE 29

PLACES & FACES

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PLACES AND FACES Big crowd turns out for Miles evening

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ORE than 100 people attended Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise’s (TSBE) first Enterprise Evening held in Miles.Hosted at Miles’ Leichhardt Centre, and sponsored

by MAS Accommodation, the topic for the evening was alternate fuels.

BOC’s sales and business development manager LNG David McCowatt gave an overview of BOC’s $100 million LNG plant developed in venture with QGC, located at Condamine.BOC develops safe, sustainable and innovative solutions for customers in many specialty sectors including heavy industry.

TSBE chief executive officer Shane Charles said he was really pleased to see such strong support for TSBE’s first event in Miles.

“TSBE has a number of members located in Miles and the surrounding area, so it was great to see so many people show their support,” Mr Charles said.

2

1. Ursula Keating, Grant Brooks, Fred Eggleston and Steve Keating.

2. Amanda Kenafake and Peter Rowe from Power Tynan.

3. Mark Bowler from Bowler Group Transport, and Jeff Bradbury and Peter Williams from TAFE Queensland South West.

4. Craig Leschke, Jess Carr, and Steve Fennech.

5. Marcus Koolen from Perfect Earth and Aaron Wilson from DMW Industries.

3 4 PAGE 30

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Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

PLACES & FACES

Western Downs Motor Inn caters for big crowd 6. Wendy Carroll, Mandy Turner, and Megan Jelicich.

6

7. Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown with Western Downs Motor Inn manager Ryan Jackson.

8. Scott Stanfast from IOR Petroleum and Chris Canty from March IT. Photo Contributed 9. Kaye Maguire, TSBE CEO Shane Charles, and Sherry Heath.

10. Judy Green from Origin and Kaylene and Phillip Clarris from P & K Bussing Services.

11. Jeff Lyndon and Suzanne Doyle from Safe Resolutions.

12. David Powell from WestRex, and Lynda Shields and Brad Swain from BHD Oilfield Services.

Photos Jim Campbell

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12 11 Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

PAGE 31

PLACES & FACES

Region’s new bus

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ESTERN Downs residents have a new route to Brisbane, with the launch of a daily bus service by Murrays Coaches.

Queensland rugby league legend Mal Meninga travelled to Chinchilla this month to help launch the service and the company’s new depot in Malduf St. The State of Origin coach joined company founder and director Ron Murray AM to announce the service, which will take residents from Miles to Brisbane and the domestic airport, with stops at Chinchilla and Dalby.

Buses will depart Chinchilla and Miles each day, arriving in Brisbane at 11am and the city’s domestic airport at 11.30am.

Mr Murray said he initiated the service because he felt current bus timetables didn’t suit Western Downs residents.

“This service is affordable for everyone and it is designed for the locals,” he said.

Murrays Coaches arrived in the region after securing a transport contract with coal seam gas giant QGC. “Now we’re here and we’re here to stay,” Mr Murray said.

Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown said the service would be a huge help to people needing to travel to Toowoomba and Brisbane for specialist medical appointments.

Murrays Coaches has employed about 20 staff in the region, with employees based at Miles, Chinchilla, Dalby and Toowoomba.

The new daily bus services started on May 18.

Visit www.murrays. com.au for details.

1

2 3

1. Enjoying the opening at Murrays Coaches are (from left) Brett Statham, Noel O'Leary, Fern Reynolds, and Doug McNally. Photos Jim Campbell 2. New Murrays Coaches employees (from left) Troy Thoms, Tony Ritale and Albie Fraser.

3. Chinchilla Bulldogs Under-10 White players (from left) Cooper Zerk, Lachlan Wyles, Jed Zerk and Jack Richards relax after beating Jandowae earlier in the morning.

4. Celebrating the opening of the new Murrays Coaches depot are (from left) rugby league legend Mal Meninga, Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown, and Ron Murray AM 5. Huge Mal Meninga fan Sandy Donovan and husband Rod had a great day at the Murrays Coaches depot.

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2";7#&$'= 2<):) . 8'(('!4) Celebrating the upgrade to QFES communications are (from left) Scott Cawley (Origin), QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Richard Schokman (QGC), Miles Fire Station captain Ray Duncombe (in fire truck) and Toowoomba regional communications manager Gail Moran.

Saving lives

CSG giants pitch in to help QFES save lives

Major communications upgrade for Western Downs services

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UEENSLAND Fire and Emergency Services’ (QFES) ability to respond to emergencies in the Western Downs region has received a major boost with four new communications towers provided through a partnership with Origin on behalf of Australia Pacific LNG and QGC. As preparations for bushfire season begin, QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll visited Miles Fire and Rescue Station to acknowledge the completion of the Blackspots Communication Reduction Program in the region.

“Network coverage has been boosted by 82% in Taroom, Wandoan, Surat and Injune thanks to these new towers,” Ms Carroll said.

“We are very pleased to see this partnership with Australia Pacific LNG and QGC result in real benefits for rural communities and we’re thankful for their commitment to help improve emergency response in these areas.

“These new communications towers mean that the fire brigades personnel who service this area will be able to get clearer information from the Fire Communications Centre in Toowoomba about the location and scale of incidents from Triple Zero calls when they are in remote areas,” Ms Carroll said.

“Also, once they arrive on scene, they can more easily feed information back to Firecom to ensure there are enough resources mobilised to handle the size of the incident and all of this translates to a more efficient bushfire response.”

Australia Pacific LNG and QGC each committed $100,000 to the $700,000 project.

Australia Pacific LNG chief executive officer Page Maxson said the project resulted from consultation with the Mutual Aid Working Group that included health and safety managers from the QFES and the Queensland Ambulance Service.

“Our field personnel assisted QFES crews during recent flood recovery efforts and this improved emergency communications coverage will enable the continued development of safer and healthier communities across the region,” Mr Maxson said.

QGC managing director Mitch Ingram said collaboration

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Network coverage has been boosted by 82% in Taroom, Wandoan, Surat and Injune thanks to these new towers.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll between the natural gas industry and emergency services had been important for responding to threatening events, including floods and bushfires in recent years.

“We’re pleased to be able to continue our ongoing support for these vital community services,” Mr Ingram said.

“Previously, we helped to provide firefighting equipment to auxiliary and rural brigades.

“That, and contributing to this project, is all part of managing risk and being ready to respond effectively the next time the need arises.”

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

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PLACES & FACES

Opening doors

Delegation brings good news home

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The TSBE delegation to China (from left) Professor Steven Raine, Cr Nancy Sommerfield, The Export Group's Matthew McKenzie, Dave Carberry, and Rob Hart.

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DELEGATION of Surat Basin business leaders in China has returned home wide-eyed at the potential opportunities the massive Chinese market presents to local industry.

Prime beef cuts and even fresh rockmelons were proudly displayed in supermarkets in Shanghai, while Chinese business people explained the supply chain process.

Chinchilla Community Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president and agribusiness consultant Rob Hart said the country had changed significantly since his last visit six years ago.

Mr Hart said he met with a state-owned enterprise in China that had invested heavily in Australian fresh produce and had numerous subsidiaries, one of which was a meat import company.

He said the company imported 80% of foreign beef – a lot of which was Australian.

“It has only been operating for three years but its growth has been astronomical,” Mr Hart said.

The company imports whole rib fillets frozen and then slices it into smaller portions for distribution.

Mr Hart said it was important to remember the size of the potential market in China.

“There are 231 cities with a population greater than Brisbane, which has a population of 2.2 million,” he said.

“The scale of opportunity and the scale of demand here is enormous.

“Clearly there is an opportunity in that beef market because Australian beef is regarded as a very high quality product.

“But what you need to be successful are partnerships or you need to have people in China.”

The delegation, which returned home on Sunday night, included Toowoomba Regional Councillor Nancy Sommerfield, University of Southern Queensland’s Professor Steven Raine, agriculture consultant Dave Carberry from FSA, and TSBE’s China representative Ben Lyons.

Mr Lyons will return to TSBE’s Toowoomba office in coming months to educate its Surat Basin members in the opportunities presented by China.

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

The TSBE delegation found plenty of Australian beef in China's supermarkets. .

It has only been operating for three years but its growth has been astronomical.

(CCCI) president and agribusiness consultant Rob Hart

Fresh Australian rockmelons were piled high in the Chinese markets.

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U-UJ/ 0.3341/U10

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 28 May 2015

KU6N< 0.3341/U10

PAGE 35

PLACES & FACES

Best in business

Deloitte ranks GRT top

A

USTRALIAN “instant” infrastructure company Global Road Technology has proved it’s up there with the best in the business following the release of an independent investigation into its dust suppression product used in the CSG and resource sectors.

A comparative analysis undertaken by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu conceded Global Road Technology’s dust-suppression product used on the QGC’s road network delivered almost 37% cost saving over two years for QGC.

Companies that use the product over a ten-year period could almost halve (45.5%) their costs, marking significant on-going savings for the resources sector and major projects.

Global Road Technology’s chief financial officer Herman Allison said he was not surprised by the findings that were publicly released earlier this year.

“We always knew our product was the best in the business and this latest analysis from Deloitte has confirmed it,” Mr Allison said.

GRT engaged Deloitte to conduct the

cost-analysis on conventional water-suppression for road construction and maintenance activities comparative to its specially formulated cross-linked co-polymer dust-suppression product GRT7000.

Engineered for use in civil construction, GRT7000 concentrate is diluted with water before loaded into a water tank and applied to any dusty, unsealed road using standard spray equipment.

Deloitte’s in-depth analysis concluded that while the initial cost outlay for dust suppression using the GRT approach was higher than the alternative, the ongoing maintenance was significantly less, delivering a break-even cost for ongoing dust suppression very quickly.

“Deloitte has an international reputation for conducting cost-benefit analyses,” Mr Allison said.

“Because of our global reach, we needed an internationally recognised brand to confirm our comparative cost benefit claims.”

To assist with the project Deloitte engaged the services of SMEC, a highly experienced professional engineering and construction services firm.

GRT is based in southeast Queensland and operates in India, the USA, South American and Indonesia producing over 40 tonnes of soil specific products a day.

VIEW THE BACK EDITIONS ONLINE Read all of our back issues www.issuu.com/suratbasinnews

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SURAT BASIN NEWS Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413 Printed by APN Print Toowoomba 50 Industrial Avenue Toowoomba Q4350 2013 General Manager – Erika Brayshaw 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413, PO Box 138 Chinchilla Q4413, Phone 07 4662 7368

GRT's technology has been given a big tick by a leading business consultant.

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