The future of a Queensland mining community that was on the brink of collapse has been guaranteed after the state government announced new legislation to save the town.
Key points:
- The Queensland Premier announced new legislation to guarantee the future of a small mining community
- There were fears the town of Glenden could face demolition as the mine it was built on comes to the end of its life
- Premier Palaszczuk says the state government "will provide certainty for the future of the township"
Residents at Glenden, about 160 kilometres west of Mackay, feared homes and businesses would be bulldozed as the mine they were built to service approached the end of its life.
But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today that the town would continue regardless.
"Our government will provide certainty for the future of the township of Glenden," she said in a speech at the Queensland Bush Summit 2023 in Rockhampton.
"The end of the life of one mine does not mean the end of the life of others.
"We will introduce legislation next week to give all parties certainty in Glenden."
Glenden resident Milissa Payne said she had been left overwhelmed with relief by the outcome.
“This has been an extremely long fight for my community, for our council, for everybody involved.
"It's been a very emotional ride and we've been fighting very, very hard.
“They [didn’t] know whether they're going to have a home next year, or whether they're going to have a school for their kids, and where are they going to go in Queensland, or in Australia for that matter.
"This fight wasn't just only about Glenden, it was about the whole of rural communities in Queensland and possibly Australia.
"To actually have the Premier now say that she recognises us and is going to help, it's just amazing. I actually have tears in my eyes."
Mount Isa Mines established the Glenden township in 1982 to house workers for its Newlands Mine, with Glencore taking it over in 2013.
The mine has since ceased production and will shut down entirely in the next few years.
There is no other mine slated to take over the lease on the town, which left the privately-owned town of Glenden facing an uncertain future.
Waiting for details
Earlier this month, Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker made an impassioned plea for the town to be saved from demolition.
Cr Baker expressed fears that up to 300 homes could be demolished if no action was taken.
Speaking in Mackay today, Cr Baker described crying tears of relief when she answered the Premier's call this morning informing her of the new legislation.
However, Cr Baker said she was waiting on details about what the legislation would cover.
"That is the real critical piece here ... we will be watching and wanting to understand what the detail is," she said.
"It's renewed our faith in the fact the government has acted ... and the fact that they have listened to the voice of mining communities."
The Department of Premier and Cabinet said it was not in a position to share any more information.
An end to uncertainty?
With the mine's impending closure residents had hoped a proposed mining project being developed 20 kilometres away could revitalise the town.
However, the company responsible for the proposed Byerwen Mine, QCoal, has instead pushed to build an onsite mining camp rather than housing workers in Glenden.
The Isaac Regional Council has fought this proposal over the past four years and QCoal has since withdrawn its latest legal challenge in the Planning and Environment Court.
However, the company is still pursuing other avenues to establish an onsite workers camp.
To date, no clear plans have been determined for the town of Glenden.