New coal mining boom in Queensland

Australian mining companies are hoping to lure young people and families to the bush as new coal and gas deposits are discovered in southern Queensland.

The Surat Basin, which spans 270,000 square kilometres of southern Queensland and northern NSW, is experiencing a mining boom.

Experts believe the zone contains up to four billion tonnes of coal and 8,500 billion cubic metres of gas, which when refined could be enough to power eastern Australia for decades.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Michael Roche said that excitement about the Surat Basin region was “well-founded”.

However he warned that the problems that arose with the rapid development of central Queensland's Bowen Basin should not be repeated.

Rents in Bowen Basin towns have skyrocketed due to a shortage of suitable accommodation, and local essential services are stretched to the limit.

There have also been concerns about companies using "fly-in fly-out" workers, who live on the coast but travel inland to work shifts at the mines.

"The issue is not an easy one and won't be solved with the wave of a magic wand, because everyone is playing catch-up - the communities, the companies and government," Mr Roche said.

"The Surat Basin is seeing the unfolding of an economic revolution, and every bit of goodwill and forethought needs to be brought front and centre if it is to ensure the sustainability of its new industries and growing communities.

"The Surat Basin community has an opportunity to get it right, from the start."
Mr Roche said mining companies were hopeful of attracting more young people and families to the sector.

"That calls for greater community awareness and a good working relationship with Queensland's education and training providers," Mr Roche said.

source:www.mineweb.net