Speaking during the Mining 2020 International Conference at the Laguna Whitsundays Resort this week, Roche said that despite claims to the contrary, mining royalty windfalls have not made it back to the regional communities so vital to the growth of the industry.
“In the last state budget, royalties were increased by an average 22 percent, handing the Government an extra $A2.2 billion for the current financial year,” said Roche.
“Coal royalties are forecast to grow from just over $1 billion in the past financial year to $3.2 billion in 2008-09, and total mineral royalties are budgeted to exceed $3.6 billion.
“The Government boasted that budget outlays included investing more than $1 billion in coal industry infrastructure in the Mackay-Whitsunday region. That’s about half the total budget outlays for the region; however, all that infrastructure is being paid for by the coal industry.”
With the cities of Mackay, Townsville and Rockhampton looking for a long-term plan to underpin their ongoing role as major service centres for the mining industry, QRC members have expressed their concern about the shortcomings of government services and facilities in resource communities throughout regional Queensland.
“Mining communities have got to offer present and prospective workers more than just a place to rest their head after a shift, but sadly, some mining towns are no longer places where employees and their families want to live, simply because they are not prepared to trade wages for second-class facilities and services,” said Roche.
“Resource sector growth in Queensland should not be seen as an imposition but rather an opportunity for governments to do more than just talk about decentralisation and the need to reduce population pressure in the southeast.”
Roche is hopeful that there will be some good news in the coming weeks with some movement from the State Government on a compact with mining companies and local governments.
He said this will ensure that all parties have a clear grasp of responsibilities and obligations for nurturing sustainable resource communities.
