FRASER COAST CENTRAL

BURRUM HEADS PROGRESS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER FOR FEB 2012

BURRUM PROGRESS ASSOC NEWSLETTER 003 – February

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

Colton Coal Mining Job applications being accepted for the Fraser Coast says the local Fraser Coast Chronicle Newspaper.Great news for the local economy.

THE financial buy-in earlier this year by mining giant New Hope has set Maryborough’s Colton Coal Mine project on track for a start as early as next year.

Job applications are now being processed to help fill the 100 positions the mine will create and current mine workers already living on the Fraser Coast are at the head of the queue.

The long-awaited project has taken off since Ipswich-based coal company New Hope bought 59% of shares from Northern Energy Corporation (NEC) with a $238 million cash bid in February this year.

Acting chief executive officer of NEC, Shane Stephan, said the buy-in had provided the extra capital needed to get the project off the ground.

“The major change has been that the project has been reinvigorated now that New Hope has taken over,” Mr Stephan said.

“New Hope is very large and has the resources needed to get it going.”

Once it was up and running, the mine was set to inject about $20 million a year into the Maryborough economy in wages and local services.

“The key message is we are collecting resumes and the preference is for applications from appropriately qualified local people,” Mr Stephan said.

The site at Colton, north of Maryborough, covers just more than 1000 hectares and the company expected to mine about five million tonnes of coking coal in eight to 10 years.

“We are currently undertaking exploration drilling, and a follow-up environmental management plan is being lodged with the Department of Environment and Resource Management,” Mr Stephan said.

Following the plan’s approval, a public notification process would take place and the final paperwork would be completed to grant the mining lease.

“Once the lease is granted, which could be in the last quarter of 2012, we should be looking at starting work,” Mr Stephan said.

The coal would be sent by rail to Gladstone for export, initially through Barney Point and later through the Wiggins Island terminal.

 

COLTON MINE FAST FACTS

• The project will boost the Maryborough economy by about $20 million a year.
• About 100 jobs will be created for local plant operators, truck driver, electricians, surveyors and more.
• The mine at Colton will be built near the site of a historic mine that operated from the late 1800s to the 1990s.
• About half-a-million tonnes of coking coal will be extracted every year, for an estimated 10 years.
• The mine is expected to open late next year.

To register interest in a job at the mine, visit www.northernenergy.com.au/work_with_us

Sourced from the local Fraser Coast Chronicle newspaper

Wishes to inform supporters and members about the following

Received and published by Henry Sapiecha 10th April 2010

KEEP AUSTRALIA WORKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES KAW Advisory Committee Formation Meeting

10.00am 16 December 2009

Police Citizens Youth Club – Bundaberg

Jason introduced himself as the Local Employment Coordinator appointed to the Bundaberg – Hervey Bay Priority Employment area.  He then provided background statistical information in support of the need for assistance to be offered in the identified priority areas.

Attachment 1:-  Attendees and Apologies.

1.         Jason provided a brief review of the Keep Australia Working Forum conducted in Hervey Bay on 13 October 2009.  Highlighted areas of interest that may need to be concentrated on locally for the priority area.

2.         Discussed the need for PPP consideration for the Maryborough employment area.

3.         Also discussed that there needs to be a concentration on the Construction industry especially around the BER opportunities and the need to focus on Local Employers.

4.         Reduction of Red Tape was also discussed but acknowledged that there is a need for it but shouldn’t be at the expense of projects.

5.         Need to look to the Talent Program and what can still be done there.

6.         Transport was a major issu

7.         The issue of boundaries was raised especially with respect the North Burnett and whether it would be included in the role??

8.         Need to look to New Development Opportunities; areas of influence; focus on Existing plans;

9.         Kerry Blackman asked for focus on Indigenous opportunities

10.       Re the Terms of Reference – asked for the issue of Timing to be included and for the UNI to be added.

11.       Brain Stormed the interest / alert areas including Sustainability/Green, Business Development, Education and Trade Training.

12.       There was then a call for people interested in being members of the working groups identified and after discussion people offered to approach after the meeting rather than immediate offers.  The following individuals have offered to be involved for specific programs in the key themes to explore & develop strategies:-

Education:

Lance Stone

Tracey Mason             

Dominic Tape

Business Development:

Peter Gregory

Tony Weaver

Tracey Mason

Cheryl Graffunder

Employment

Cheryl Graffunder – Treasurer of the Bundaberg & District Chamber so could represent that way as well.

Training & Trade

Julia Mijic

Training

Peter Gregory

Geoff Kelly

Sustainability/Green

Peter Gregory

Transport

Julia Mijic

ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS are:-

Neil McPhillips Lance Stone – TESS

Julia Mijic – CRS Aust

Ron Bishop – CQU

Cheryl Graffunder – NEATO Donna Norman – TaFE

Peter Gregory – AIMNet

Naomi Searle – Bundaberg RC

Kerry Blackman – Gidargil

Andrew Jackson – Fraser Coast RC

People are currently being approached to confirm their interest in being part of the Committee, and you will be advised of the final committee members..

First Meeting of the Advisory Committee will be at 9.00am 29 January 2009 at the Council Chambers Reception Room in Maryborough – cnr Kent & Lennox Streets.

Attachment 1

ATTENDEES:-

Ron Bishop & Phillip Clift – CQU; Ian Bent – CAMit Pty Ltd; Frank Trendelkamp – Bombardier; Greg Weir – B’berg Fruit & Vegetable Growers; Neil McPhillips – Starfire Solutions; Grant Maclean - RDA Wide Bay Burnett; David Rees Hervey Bay Chamber of Commerce; Peter Gregory – AIMNet; Geoff Kelly – Construction Skills Qld (CSQ);Kerry Blackman – Gidarjil Development Corp; Betty Lappin – CQID Ltd; Ara Harathunian – B’berg & Burnett Region Community Development Aboriginal Corp. Tony Weaver – Better Development & Training; Tracey Mason & Anne Wendt – Community Solutions; Cheryl Graffunder - NEATO; Andrew Bainbridge – Employment Services Qld; Judy Heard – Impact Make Your Mark; Lance Stone - Fraser Coast TESS; Garry Bannister & Joe Harrold – Jobfind B’berg; Julia Mijic – CRS Aust; Michael Whiting, Julie Gee, Michelle Davies &  Zona Hussey-Smith DEEDI; Donna McMah – Skilling Solutions Qld; Donna Norman – Wide Bay Tafe; Cory Pignatelli – Centrelink; Lee Sunderland, Alicia Weiderman, Mark Rowland – DEEWR; and Jason Millward

Not sure if there – Maxine Brushe – Gladstone Regional Council; Vicky Wilson Discovery Coast Tourism

APOLOGIES:-

Phil Ainsworth – Microavionics; John Maclean -Bundaberg Brewed Drinks; Allan Meiring – Downer EDI – Rail Maryborough; Max Voigt – CQMS Castings Geoff Nocher – Maranta Hervey Bay; Jason Pascoe – Port of Bundaberg; Graham Richers – Richers Transport; Garth Robinson – Retravision Childers;  Rory McDonald – Master Builders; Cameron Bisley – former Wide Bay ACC; Yvonne Brams – Manager Rockhampton ICC; Andrew Jackson – Economic Development, Andrew O’Brien CEO &  Cr Gerard O’Connell - Fraser Coast Reg Council; Cr Greg Barnes – Coral Coast Chamber of Commerce; James Corvan – Bundy North Burnett Tourism Ltd; Glen Churchill – Gladstone Area Promotional & Develop; Cale Dendle – Gladstone Regional Council - Mark Powell – Woodgate Tourism; Christine Malone – Buderoo Emp & Training; Peter Shirres – Centrelink Hervey Bay; Ken Collier – Exec. Regl Director -Education Qld; Donna Constable  – Skilling Solutions Qld; Steve Dixon – Qld Commercial Properties; Phil Dowling – Global Manufacturing Group; Jane Harrison – Tri Care Pt Vernon; Seath  Holswich – Aust’n Employment Covenant; Bob Hockey - DEEDI M’boro; Trevor Schwenke – TAFE Hervey Bay; Lorraine Pyefinch Bundaberg Regional Council; Alana Sinnamon & Paul Clifford - Employment Services Qld.

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha 15th Jan 2010