Kelly Vea Vea urges accountability as QCoal delays workforce move to Glenden

The future of a Bowen Basin community once again hangs in the balance after QCoal’s workforce move is delayed to 2026, prompting calls for action from the region’s former mayor.

With the relocation of a mining workforce necessary to keep the small Bowen Basin community on the map delayed, two regional leaders have called for action from the state government and mining companies.

Glenden’s future has long been in the balance, with former Isaac region mayor Anne Baker leading the campaign to save the community of 447 from demolition, securing guarantees from the state government mandating QCoal shift 10 per cent of its Byerwen workforce into Glenden by March 2025.

Now QCoal has until 2026, following a successful campaign from QCoal and change in direction by the Crisafulli Government, which characterises it as a “practical” path for Glenden.

Isaac mayor Kelly Vea Vea was elected in 2023, taking over from predecessor Anne Baker.

Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea said she was glad to see that the legislation introduced to hold mining companies to their commitments remained in place and said they were “commitments made to the people of Glenden when mine approvals were granted”.

“Mining communities like Glenden were built for a purpose, and when that purpose ends, they’re left to fend for themselves,” Cr Vea Vea said.

“It’s gut-wrenching to see companies walk away from communities without a plan for what’s left behind.”

Glenden is a Central Queensland mining town was at risk of being demolished and legislation mandating Byerwen move its workforce there was a major win for advocates in the Save Glenden campaign.Picture: Supplied

An Isaac Regional Council spokesperson said while Glenden was ageing, it remained liveable and pointed to its 2024 recognition of having the best tap water in Australia.

Glenden’s 447 permanent residents enjoy the use of a public pool and can eat out at a bar and grill.

Anne Baker retired from the Isaac Regional Council in 2023 and ran for the state seat of Burdekin in 2024.

Former Isaac Mayor and fierce Glenden advocate Anne Baker said the most important thing was the new government and new minister for natural resources and mines Dale Last, “get it right”.

“I’m confident that once the current minister and his new resources committee truly understand the intended purpose of the Glenden legislation things can get back on track,” Ms Baker said.

“This legislation in no way risks the future of the operation and gives the Glenden community a future.”

Mr Last was critical of the previous government's implementation of legislation and said “Labor imposed conditions on Byerwen Mine without putting in place the critical infrastructure and support needed to make it work”.

Mr Last said the new timeline gave the government time to work with stakeholders and consider issues such as housing quality and water security.

Glenden is home to 447 people and was voted as having the best tap water in Australia in 2024.

Ms Baker, who ran against Mr Last in the 2024 state election as the Labor candidate for Burdekin, said the people of Glenden have been “battling an unnecessary decline for years now while Byerwen get away with ignoring the state government conditions of their project approval”.

“I’m confident that the resources committee wouldn’t want to set a precedent here for all other approvals by showing they are not worth the paper they are written on,” she said.

“Remember this issue is purely about the location of a workers’ camp, not where people reside.”

Ms Vea Vea said some companies treated exiting mining towns as a transaction, whereas others showed “real leadership”.

“When companies step up and genuinely engage with councils, governments, industry leaders and communities, we can work together on water security, social investment, and legacy projects that leave something lasting behind,” she said.

“That kind of collaboration makes all the difference during a transition.”

Originally published as Kelly Vea Vea urges accountability as QCoal delays workforce move to Glenden