LUCAS TO VISIT CENTRAL WEST AHEAD OF MINING SUMMIT

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas will spend the day visiting Alpha and Blackwater tomorrow to see first hand how they are being affected by the resources boom.

Mr Lucas will return to the region on November 20 to chair the Dysart mining summit.

“The best way to get a feel for the issues being faced by our resource communities is on the ground,” Mr Lucas said.

“I want to talk with local representatives and stakeholders about how their community is being affected by the resources boom and hear their ideas for the future.

“Massive growth in mining for base metals and coal plus the emergence of a potential new coal seam gas industry is producing real social and economic benefits for rural communities.

“If we want to maximise those benefits and ensure sustainable regional communities we must involve local and state governments, farmers, the mining industry and rural people.

“This means improving the way we manage the social consequences of resource development on these communities.”

Mr Lucas said the speed and intensity of the boom had put pressure on the services and infrastructure in towns in central west Queensland.

“Some of the issues these communities face are housing shortages and the flow-on effects of high rental prices; and skills shortages, as workers transfer to the lucrative mining and associated construction industries,” Mr Lucas said.

“During my visits I want the local representatives to tell me what they think we can do to sustain their communities’ environment, economies and lifestyle.

“For example we may be able to improve the flow of information about new mining developments to facilitate better land use and infrastructure planning in regional areas.”

In August the Bligh Government unveiled $100 million in funding over three years for economic and social infrastructure in key mining areas.

“The Sustainable Resource Communities Agreement also aims to improve the information sharing between government, industry and communities,” Mr Lucas said.

“One key feature of the agreement is legislative amendments to require social impact plans for new or expanded resource projects as part of any environmental impact statement.

“These plans would outline the forecast impacts on communities and agreed strategies for mitigating these impacts including the responsibilities of the respective parties.”

Media Contact: Chelsea Toomey – 0408 701 409