Glenden’s future assured through fast-tracked law change

The future of an outback Queensland coal mining town will be cemented this week, with the government to slot in a fast-tracked law change through a completely unrelated piece of legislation.

The future of an outback Queensland coal mining town will be cemented this week, with the government to slot in a fast-tracked law change through a completely unrelated piece of legislation.

The central Queensland town of Glenden, population less than 500, was facing demolition under an agreement with miner Glencore which was obliged to rehabilitate the area it built in the 1980s once it was done with the nearby mine.

This despite miner QCoal developing a coal mine about 20km away and offering hundreds of jobs and rather than use the town the company opted instead to build a camp at its own site for a fly-in-fly-out workforce.

Isaac Regional Council and residents had campaigned heavily for the town to be saved.

The town of Glenden has been saved. Pics Adam Head

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on August 18 announced the government would protect the town, with legislation to be pushed through when parliament next sits.

It’s understood the parliament is set to debate and pass only one piece of legislation during parliament this week — laws relating to monitoring periods for child sex offenders.

The state government will slot in the necessary changes to the Mineral Resources Act by inserting it as an amendment on the child protection and other legislation bill.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker described the decision to save the tiny town of Glenden shows “the future of Queensland mining communities matter”.

Residents of Glenden were vocal about saving their town. Picture: Adam Head

“I have cried tears of relief during this morning’s call from the Premier advising of legislative change to Save Glenden,” Cr Baker said.

“We have got renewed confidence in the government that they’ve acted, and they have listened to the voice of mining communities.”

The child protection law changes will double the reporting period for offenders.

It means predators convicted of a child sex offence will be required to report to and be monitored by police for periods of 10 years, up from 5 years.

Police would also have the ability to apply for a surveillance device warrant, when deemed necessary, to monitor the movements of a reportable offender.