Glenden medical centre at risk as Newlands mine closes

As a mining giant pulls out of a remote community, there are growing fears the last GP practice could be axed. Read why this may not be the case.

Despite fears a mining town could lose its only GP practice, the business’s owner has assured he has zero plans to leave town.

The reassurance comes after reports Glenden Medical Practice would close, fears which residents had raised during face-to-face surveys with Isaac Regional Council.

“Please don’t forget the families living in Glenden, we need help … help with having a doctor here as our medical centre is about to close,” a resident said, according to the council’s Community Consultation Report.

The report, included in the council’s draft Community Corporate Plan for the next five years, states the doctor’s practice was scheduled to shut in June and be replaced with Telehealth services.

“Exacerbating the situation is the apparent similar situation in nearby Collinsville with limited health services,” the report states.

“Communication with residents about the closure of the doctor surgery has been poor and this is creating uncertainty.”

The Isaac region township of Glenden has fewer than 500 residents and is set to shrink further as Glencore winds down its mining operations. Picture: Google

But Glenden Medical Practice owner Mat Lines said there were no plans “at this stage” to shut up shop.

“Previously when it was busy, we had doctors that were based in Glenden,” Mr Lines said.

“At the moment … we’ve got a small team of locum doctors that we keep using over and over.”

NO DOCTORS FOR SEVEN DAYS

The practice has multiple occasions over the past 12 months posted to Facebook when doctors were not available, including in May last year when it advertised there were no doctors for a seven day stretch.

Glenden Motel manager Shireen Prasad said it would be sad if the clinic were to close.

Ms Prasad, who was new to Glenden, said it would “affect a lot people” who would then need to drive two hours to Mackay to see a GP.

The Newlands mine near Glenden in the Bowen Basin is owned by Glencore.

The remote mining community was built in 1983 to service the nearby Newlands mine, now run by Swiss behemoth Glencore.

Glencore lifted up the town for years, subsidising accommodation for workers and providing funds to the town’s medical practice.

“Currently we’re in negotiations with Glencore to maintain a GP practice in Glenden,” Mr Lines said.

MINE’S CLOSURE A FURTHER DRAIN ON POPULATION

But Newlands marked its last coal in February with the mine now entering its rehabilitation period, which means the number of workers in Glenden will decline.

“We are now focused on closing and rehabilitating the site over the next few years,” a Glencore spokesman said.

“Our workforce will be reduced in a planned and phased manner over time.

“A number of operations personnel have already been offered redeployment opportunities at other Glencore sites, while we will continue to use a significant number of our own employees and contractors to complete the mine closure works.

An aerial view of Glenden. Picture: Contributed

“These workers can continue to live in Glenden for the remainder of their employment at Newlands.”

Glenden’s population in 2021-22 was 477 residents with a median age of 35, according to Isaac Regional Council. In 1990, the population was about 1800.

The Glencore spokesman said the company was “reviewing options” to ensure Glenden residents could access a GP and other health services for a further 12 months after its mine closed.

A CHANGE OF CUSTODIAN: FROM ONE MINE TO ANOTHER

And while Glencore is moving out, QCoal is moving in with plans to dig up coal at the nearby $1.8bn Byerwen mine for 50 years.

Isaac council is at loggerheads with the company over a controversial 450-bed workers camp for the mine which is about 30km away from the Glenden township.

QCoal wants to house the bulk of its workforce on-site, while the council wants the company to embed its workers in Glenden to keep the town afloat after Glencore’s withdrawal.

Houses in the coal mining town of Glenden, which were erected to accommodate miners working at Newlands. Photo: John Andersen

It is understood there are about 100 empty houses in Glenden.

If Glencore cannot pass or sell these on to QCoal, it is understood the company may have to either physically relocate the houses or demolish them and rehabilitate the grounds to comply with conditions of its mine approval.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart granted QCoal preliminary approval to build its camp, but the council has lodged an objection.

A final decision is expected over the coming days.

Isaac Mayor Anne Baker (centre) stands with Glenden residents as part of the council’s ‘Save Glenden’ campaign. Picture: Contributed

Ms Prasad said she would welcome QCoal taking over the town.

“If QCoal takes over the town, I reckon QCoal is going to be better,” she said.

Glencore owns a large number of properties in Glenden and it is understood discussions have taken place between the two firms about a transfer of the Glencore assets, though no agreement has been reached.

“We are of the view that Glenden requires an anchor tenant who is willing to support the town,” Glencore’s spokesman said.

“Glencore would welcome an agreement between QCoal and the Queensland Government which would see the community of Glenden continue.”

‘I'VE GOT NO PLANS ON LEAVING’

Mr Lines has lived in nearby Tieri for 17 years.

“I think anybody can see in Glenden that the town is becoming smaller and smaller and as things are becoming unviable, it closes,” he said.

“My wife and children love it out here (but) some people don’t.

“I’ve got no plans on leaving.”