Editor’s view: Fly in, fly out doing nothing for Qld communities

It defies belief that, in the midst of a housing crisis, we could allow more than 300 perfectly serviceable homes to be bulldozed into the dust. Yet, this is the state is contemplating in one Queensland community.

It defies belief that, in the midst of a housing crisis, we could allow more than 300 perfectly serviceable homes to be bulldozed into the dust.

Yet this is what the state is contemplating in Glenden, southwest of Mackay.

Glenden is no mining camp but a community, and one that has established its own history since it was created by the old Mount Isa Mines company (now Glencore) in 1981 for workers at the Newlands Coal Mine.

The town thrived just as nearby Moranbah (which started life a decade earlier) did, becoming part of the state’s interior, and was actually recorded by the Australian Taxation Office in 2014-15 as one of the wealthiest communities in the state.

The town’s appearance on our maps was no accident.

Former Queensland premier Sir Joh Bjelke Petersen certainly had his faults, but it is clear he also had foresight.

Empty houses and streets in the coal mining town of Glenden in the seat of Burdekin Photo: John Andersen

When he and then under treasurer Sir Leo Hielscher saw the coal riches in the Bowen Basin, they saw not so much coal as royalty wealth and enormous potential for the settlement and development of the Queensland interior.

Any company seeking mining approval knew, even before the application process began, that establishing permanent residential homes in the area it intended to mine was simply part of the deal.

The insistence of bringing workers and families to the state’s interior actually worked, giving Queensland a start in creating what could have been something resembling a scaled-down version of America’s Midwest if we had persisted with the idea.

We do have Moranbah, which has developed into a well-serviced town and has provided generations with a place to call home.

But, clearly, we have succumbed to the “fly in, fly out” mentality that appears to be gaining momentum and will ensure the hinterland behind Central and North Queensland remains sparsely populated.

Fly in, fly out may be cost effective for mining companies but does nothing to create communities.

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker.

It is understood that Glencore, which has ceased to mine in the region, has a contractual obligation to remove the town once its mining operations are finalised.

Isaac Mayor Baker said QCoal, which is starting a new mine, had pledged to invest in the community.

But the state government has given preliminary approval for QCoal to build a 450-bed mining camp at the new Byerwen Coal Mine just 20km away from the town, and won’t need the Glenden homes.

Mr Baker says that preliminary approval followed multiple court findings supporting council’s fight to keep the miners in Glenden.

The state government can still change its mind on this issue.

The Local Government Association of Queensland’s Bush Council Convention last week sent an unequivocal message to the government that Glenden should be saved.

As Longreach Mayor Tony Rayer told the convention, the drain of services such as banks is accelerating from the more isolated communities of this state.

Yet these isolated communities contribute substantially to the financial success of the state and the nation.

The state government should have a rethink on Glenden. If it chooses to, this would send a message of support not only to Glenden, but also to the thousands of people who have made the interior of the state their home.

Originally published as Editor’s view: Fly in, fly out doing nothing for Qld communities