HELP IS ON ITS WAY TO CENTRAL QUEENSLAND MINING COMMUNITIES

The impact of the coal boom on Central Queensland coal communities will come under the microscope over the next few months as ways are found to help communities cope with the social issues of rapid growth, Acting Premier Anna Bligh said today.

“Addressing the needs of these communities is a top priority for my Government,” Ms Bligh

“The Premier made an election commitment that a delegation of Queensland Government Directors-General would visit Central Queensland coal mining communities.

“And arrangements are well underway for seven Directors-General and a deputy Director General to visit Central Queensland coal towns on 9 and 10 October to see for themselves the extent of high growth pressures on local communities.

“Directors-General from Communities, Mines and Energy, Education, Local Government, Housing, State Development, Main Roads and the Deputy Director General of Natural Resources and Water, will hear first-hand what communities are going through and that’s going to be invaluable.

“I thank Local Member for Fitzroy Jim Pearce MP for organising a program for the Directors-General so the local community can share information on a range of social and environmental issues that concern them.

“Jim is doing a terrific job actively raising these issues on behalf of his local communities.

“The Directors-General will visit coal communities in Moura, Blackwater, Emerald, Dysart and Moranbah.

Ms Bligh said the visit would arm the Queensland Government with valuable knowledge to transfer into planning, projects and remedial action.

“As a result of their visit to the region, the Queensland Government will also establish a Central Queensland Coal Communities Taskforce,” Ms Bligh said.

“The Taskforce will investigate solutions for specific problems facing coal mining communities.

She said 10 new coal mines had opened in rural Queensland over the past five to six years and 11 existing mines had expanded, with more to come.

Directors-General participating in the 9 and 10 October visit to Central Queensland include:

Linda Apelt, Director-General, Department of Communities and Disability Services

Malcolm Cremer, Deputy Director-General for Mines, Department of Mines and Energy

Rachel Hunter, Director-General, Department of Education, Training and the Arts

Michael Kinnane, Director-General, Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation

Natalie MacDonald, Director-General, Department of Housing

Bob McCarthy, Director-General, Department of State Development

Alan Tesch, Director-General, Department of Main Roads

Debbie Best, Deputy Director-General, Department of Natural Resources and Water

Media inquiries: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 6900