SM124_Shift Miner Magazine

SHIFT MINERMonday 7th November 124 Edition 2011 The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news

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NewsCaval Ridge mine green light » page 2

NewsFast train to Gladstone » page 6

NewsMachine mining ramps up » page 9

Ladder457 visa hold ups over » page 10

Around TownHorror at Blackwater » page 15

Off ShiftCold Chisel still rocking » page 22

Money MattersMaking millions out of caravan parks » page 25

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“BLOODY hectic.”That’s how central Queensland miner Luke Richmond describes being threatened with a machete in the remote jungles of western New Guinea.

On Australia Day this year, the 26-year-old adventure junkie set off to climb the sev-en highest summits of the world.

Luke can now tick four off the list - but the 4,884 metre Carstensz Pyramid in the Indonesian-held Papua province almost cost him his life.

In fact, he is only around to tell what sounds like a tall tale, thanks to two Aussie expat contractors working at Freeport mine.

“It is the most highly strung political envi-ronment I’ve ever seen,” said Luke.

“And the villages literally went from smil-ing one moment, to wanting to cut off our heads the next.”

But let’s start at the beginning.“The approach to the mountain took six

days through some of the thickest jungle on this man’s earth,” said Luke.

A permit is required to enter this part of the world, and in order to travel through mul-tiple tribal lands the climbers had to employ porters from each village, 32 of them.

For six days, the 10 climbers and about 40 porters made their way through the dense jun-gle to the base of the mountain, and 14 hours later stood atop Oceania’s highest peak.

» continued page 7

MACHETE vs MINER CQ miner’s brush with

death in New Guinea

“The head villager ran down to our camp with his machete and began yelling for blood.”

Page 2 - Shift Miner Magazine, 7th November 2011

News

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A new surge of investment is about to hit the Bowen Basin, with BHP Billiton approving its $4.2 billion Caval Ridge cok-ing coal mine and the expansion of the nearby Peak Downs mine.

The mine has been highly controver-sial among the local Moranbah community, because it will become the first Queensland coal mine to be run entirely with a fly-in fly-out (FIFO) workforce.

That means no new families will move to the town with the project, with the work-force to be houses in a giant mining camp on the outskirts of town.

The new mine will produce 5.5 million tonnes of coal a year - and has a life expect-ancy of more than 60 years. The first coal is expected to be exported in three years time.

The Peak Downs expansion will see the mine produce an extra 2.5 million tonnes per year.

The two projects are just one of many that BHP - through its alliance with Mit-subishi (BMA) - has planned for the region.

“This investment in the Caval Ridge Mine was foreshadowed in March when BHP Billiton announced investments in the new 4.5 million tonne per year Daunia mine, the life extension of the Broadmead-ow mine and the 11 million tonne per year expansion of the Hay Point Coal Terminal,” BHP metallurgical coal president Hubie van Dalsen said.

“This is a continuation of BHP Billiton’s strategy of investing in large, low cost, expandable mines with long lives.”

BHP gives nod to $4B Caval Ridge mine

11,000 at Kevin’s Corner

“Significant” rail & port projects

THE $6.6 billion Kevin’s Corner coal mine in the Galilee Basin would employ more than 11,000 people, according to its Envi-ronmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The project is owned by Indian infra-structure giant GVK, which announced a takeover of most of Gina Rinehart’s Gali-lee coal assets in September.

According to the EIS, 4105 full-time jobs will be generated during construction, and another 7,258 will be needed when it is operational.

The Kevin’s Corner project will include three underground longwall operations, supplemented in the early years with two open-cut pits.

Coal will be mined from the open-cut pits using truck-shovel methods and trans-ported to an on-site coal processing plant.

It will then be sent by rail to Abbot Point

coal terminal, near Bowen, for export.The project will be capable of produc-

ing 30 million tonnes of thermal coal every year, for 30 years.

If approved, construction would begin late next year, and the mine would be oper-ational by 2014.

According to the EIS, there will be lit-tle impact on significant or endangered ani-mals and plants.

Noise and vibration pollution is not expected to impact the town of Alpha, which is 65 kilometres north of the project.

However, the on-site accommodation village will be acoustically designed to lim-it noise for sleeping workers.

The Kevin’s Corner EIS will be available for public comment until 12 December.

It is available online at www.deedi.gov.au

TWO key rail and port projects in central Queensland have been declared “significant projects” by the Co-ordinator-General.

The Deputy Premier Andrew Fras-er said the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal and the Goonyella rail project could cre-ate thousands of jobs.

The Dudgeon Point Coal Termi-nal project, near the Port of Hay Point, is being led by the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation and a consorti-um including Adani Mining and Dudgeon Point Project Management.

“The proposed DPCT would involve the development of two new coal termi-nals with a combined export capacity of 180 million tonnes per year - almost exact-

ly the amount of coal exported out of the entire state in 2009-10,” Mr Fraser said.

“This massive project is potentially worth $10-$12billion in investment, which stands to deliver another 5000 construc-tion jobs.”

Mr Fraser also said the Goonyella rail project had great significance.

“It would involve the development of a new 290 kilometre rail line and associ-ated infrastructure, and could potential-ly export around 60 million tonnes of coal each year.”

“It underscores the potential of the Abbot Point Coal Terminal to be one of the biggest coal export terminals in the world.”

124th EDITION. 2011

124th EDITION. 2011


CONTeNTs

LUKE Richmond’s brush with death in New Guinea makes for an intrigu-ing read this edition.

His decision to scale the seven highest summits is interesting enough, but now he has a tale so tall it sounds almost unbelievable.

Aside from Luke’s adventures, in this edition of Shift Miner Magazine you will find plenty of news affecting your life back in Queensland.

A raft of enormous projects have gone through to the next stage of the approvals process over the past cou-ple of weeks - including the Kevin’s Corner mine project, the Fitzroy Ter-minal, Caval Ridge mine and the Dudgeon Point Coal Terminal.

Want to know how bad the accom-

modation crisis in Gladstone is?Bechtel is currently paying its

workers a $24,000 a year bonus, just to share a bathroom.

The chief executive of the local council has described the rental mar-ket in the city as diabolical.

You can read the story on page 11.And if you’ve got a spare $20 mil-

lion, now might be the time to invest in a caravan park or two in the region.

Prices have gone through the roof since the parks have stopped being the overnight hang outs for grey nomads, and instead become home to mining and industry workers who can’t find a bed anywhere else.

If you want to read the details before calling your bank manager, turn to page 25 now.

FROM THE EDITOR

21

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NEWS 4 Express lane Coal barges for the Fitzroy? 5 Cut off Land bridge for Curtis Island 8 Still soggy CQ mines prepare for wet 11 Easy money Paid to share a bathroom

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124th EDITION. 2011


Rolling strikes till XmasQANTAS might be stealing national head-lines when it comes to industrial disputes, but the biggest strike action since the long-running Gordonstone dispute is looming in the Bowen Basin.

After the latest round of talks between mining giant BMA and the unions failed, Norwich Park miners could walk off the job 17 times between now and Christmas.

They will be joined by workers at other BMA mine sites including Goonyella, Sara-ji and Peak Downs.

“BMA is simply not listening to its employers,” said CFMEU Queensland min-ing president Steve Smyth.

“Their proposal was rejected by 92 per cent of the workforce when it was put to the vote.”

“Now another three days of talks has resulted in next to nothing.”

For the past 10 months, the parties have been unable to agree on a new enterprise agreement.

The agreement covers workers at the company’s seven Bowen Basin mine sites.

Mr Smyth said BMA had underestimat-ed the current level of dissatisfaction among workers.

“This is just a business transaction for BMA.”

“But for our members it effects their future, and the future of their families and the communities they live in.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for BMA said they were disappointed more strikes would go ahead.

“This most recent action does nothing to support the conclusion of an agreement and causes unnecessary financial harm to the business and our employees, particu-larly in the lead up to Christmas,” the state-ment read.

“The company will continue to commu-nicate with and listen to our employees and consider their suggestions particularly on rosters and accommodation.”

“BMA remains committed to finalising the agreement as quickly as possible, but equally will not compromise on elements of the EA that critically impact the future

News

“But for our members it effects their future, and the future of their families

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Fitzroy coal barges in express laneA proposal to export coal through the Fit-zroy River near Rockhampton on barges has been given significant project status by the Co-ordinator General this week.

The decision is a major step forward for the Mitchell Group - majority owners of the Fitzroy Terminal proposal - because it puts the project in the fast lane for getting envi-ronmental approvals.

The company is expected to release its terms of reference for its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) within the next six months, if it plans to make the 2015 dead-line it has set for first shipment of coal.

The Fitzroy Terminal proposals differs from other coal port plans in Queensland, because it does not require deep water or dredging works.

Under the plans, coal will be transport-ed by train, using existing rail networks, to a new rail spur loop at Raglan - about half-way between Rockhampton and Gladstone.

It will then be moved by covered con-veyors onto onto covered barges which will

travel down Raglan Creek, through Port Alma to deep water.

Purpose built transhippers will then transfer the coal from the covered barges to conventional coal ships.

The port will be designed as a multi-pur-pose facility, but is expected to be used pri-marily for coal - 22 million tonnes would be exported each year.

While transhiping coal facilities don’t exist in Australia, the Mitchell Group’s Matt Brown says in Indonesia around 90 per cent of coal is exported that way.

“Certainly transhipping presents huge benefits to the potential stake holders in the project through a reduced environmental foot print,” he said.

“The scale of the wharf and barge loader is significantly reduced compared to the big berths you require for an ocean going coal vessels.”

“And certainly there is a reduced capi-tal expenditure, those savings are passed on in lower tariffs to end users, which makes it commercially competitive.”

Above: The concept plan for the Fitzroy Terminal project

Pictured: A transhipper unloading into a ship’s hull

124th EDITION. 2011


Cougar clearedThe State Government has confirmed traces of formaldehyde and thiocyanate were found in a widespread area on a Kingaroy property, indicating they probably weren’t caused by Cougar Energy’s nearby coal gasification plant. Cougar Energy says the government’s findings confirm what it had always known. The company is taking legal action against the government for shutting down its operations......................................................................

Exploration upEXPLORATION in Queensland by the resources sector topped a billion dollars in the last financial year. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show $1.126 billion was invested in mineral and petroleum exploration expenditure in Queensland during the 12 months to June 30, 2011. The figures represent a 23 per cent increase over the $917.1 million in exploration investment of the previous year. .....................................................................

Bill protects cropsThe Strategic Cropping Land Bill 2011 has been introduced to parliament and is aimed at protecting Queensland’s best cropping land. Two zones will operate under the bill if passed in its current form: no development will be allowed in protection zones that alienate the land permanently; and in management zones development will be able to go ahead under strict conditions. The restrictions apply to open cut mining, coal seam gas, underground coal gasification, long-wall or underground mining, and urban and industrial development. The legislation is expected to come into effect early next year......................................................................

Mining centre announcedTHE University of Queensland (UQ) and University of Western Australia are to manage an international mining centre to assist developing nations. The $31 million International Mining for Development Centre is federally funded through AusAID and will provide practical advise as well as education and training services to mainly African nations on mining-related issues. Ian Satchwell has been announced as the centre’s first director. The centre will be based in Perth.

FAST NEWS

News

THE Gladstone Ports Corporation chief has labelled a decision not to build a land bridge to Curtis Island for LNG traffic as crazy.

Speaking at the Golding Industry Con-ference, Leo Zussino said he was deter-mined to see a land bridge built to the island that will become home to 6000 work-ers during the construction phase of three LNG projects.

Without a land bridge, traffic in the Gladstone harbour is set to explode, with thousands of people and tonnes of machin-ery needing to be barged across daily.

“There is a significant management pro-gram built around the fact that we do have this crazy situation of these plants being built on the island without a bridge, without

road access,” said Mr Zussino.“While there has been extensive resourc-

es, extensive co-operation and extensive management of those [shipping] issues so to minimise those opportunities.”

“There are a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong over the next few years of that construction phase.”

One of the biggest concerns among some members of the Gladstone communi-ty about the LNG industry is the environ-mental risk to the harbour.

That includes the impact of unauthorised toxic or bacterial discharges from foreign-owned boats, and the possible introduction of non-native marine species flushed out in those discharges or attached to the vessels.

Mr Zussino says the management of these boats and their discharges is the responsibility of the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS).

“If a barge comes in and it has got bar-nacles etcetera on it they (AQIS) would have to commence a plan on how they are removed,” he said.

“Maritime Safety Queensland are the lead agency for oil spills and issues like that which have happened in the port.”

Ports chief wants Curtis Island bridge

“There are a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong over the next few

years of that construction phase.”

124th EDITION. 2011


News

AFTER years of false starts, Gladstone’s insatiable appetite for workers could be the catalyst for a fast train between the city and nearby Rockhampton.

While the idea has been mooted for years, for the first time Queensland Rail has agreed to consider the proposal.

A feasibility study is about to get under way, and will include plans to link Glad-stone to Rockhampton in the north, and Bundaberg and Maryborough in the south.

“We certainly believe the possibility is there,” said the general manager of Queens-land Rail Travel Max Kruse.

“We want to have a really good look at it, a lot more science needs to be carried out yet.”

“The thinking at this stage is to widen the service to the north and south - to the Rock-hampton and Bundaberg areas - and that gives us the ability to scope it a bit wider.”

The man behind the push is Neal Leth-lean, the economic development manager at Capricorn Enterprise.

“A fast train has been talked about for years in coffee shops and bars in Rock-hampton,” he said.

“What makes it different now is Glad-stone is crying out for workers.”

“This ticks all the boxes - there is no accom-modation left in Gladstone, it helps big indus-try recruit and it gets traffic off the roads.”

Mr Lethlean said in recent months the Rockhampton region had experienced a huge surge in bookings for short term accommodation.

“Motels, hotels and caravan parks - even on the Capricorn Coast - are being booked out by contractors driving to Gladstone every day for work.”

“A fast train could pick up between 500 to 1000 people in Rockhampton and 200 to 300 from Bundaberg daily.”

“Gladstone is going to become an indus-trial city, and in the 21st century people do not want to live in an industrial city - they want to work there and commute in.”

Mr Lethlean said the train schedule would have to reflect the start and end times of shifts, and tickets would probably need to be subsidised - possibly by employers.

The return trip could be used for medi-cal purposes, such as transporting patients who need oncology or other specialist care.

CQUniversity Professor John Rolfe is expected to carry out the feasibility study, which should be completed before Christmas.

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124th EDITION. 2011


But then the real action began.The group had returned to base camp,

and were sleeping off the exhausting climb.In the middle of the night, a 100 kilogram

piece of rock dislodged from an overhang and fell on four of the local porters, injuring one so badly he slumped into a coma.

“The head villager ran down to our camp with his machete and began yelling for blood,” Luke recalls.

“In this part of the world the local peo-ple have a fairly simple way of thinking: the climbers brought us here and we are hurt so now they must be hurt, an eye for an eye.”

The head guide managed to convince the village chief not to kill the climbers then and there, but arranged a talk the next morning.

When Luke and the other climb-ers arrived at the village, they found the young porter was not dead as the chief had assumed, but still in a coma, and so quickly began to make a stretcher to get him to the closest medical help at the Freeport mine.

The Freeport is one of the biggest copper mines in the world - and controversial to boot.

Almost 10,000 workers have been on strike since September, and there have been almost daily reports of violent riots and shootings in the region.

With the young porter in the care of a

medical team, it soon became clear to the climbers it was not safe to return to the vil-lage, because their lives could be in jeopardy if the boy died.

The mountaineers decided their best course of action was to stay put near the mine and hope that management would help them.

“We knew we were going into a remote region, but our guides let us down badly,” said Luke.

“Our sat phones didn’t work, there was no helicopter on stand by for emergency evacu-ations as promised.”

“They simply could not guarantee our safety if we returned to the jungle.”

The group presented themselves to the Indonesian contract military running securi-ty outside the mine, who detained them.

For the next six nights they slept 10 abreast in a freezing shipping container out-side the mine, until a couple of expat Aussie mine workers found them.

“They gave us fruit and noodles and whatever food they could find, then went straight to management.”

The climbers were then allowed to use the mine’s phone to try and arrange an evacuation.

“We were madly ringing embassies, and trying to hire a chopper but they wanted $100,000 for it.”

Eventually, on the sixth day, in the middle of the night they were smuggled on-site and flown out using one of the mine’s helicopters to the nearby town of Timika.

“Timika at the time was surrounded by angry miners and members of the Free Papua movement, so it was blockaded with burning trucks, rocks and a screaming mob,” said Luke.

They never left the airport, but quickly board-ed a flight to a town on the other side of the island, then catching the next plane to the rela-tive peace and tranquility of Bali and freedom.

Despite his brush with the machete and island chaos Luke is continuing with his adventure.

He leaves for Thailand next week to begin training for his next climb - the 4,892 metre Vincent Massif in Antarctica.

FROM PAGE 1

Mountains, machetes & mayhem for CQ minerSHIP SHAPE:

Luke Richmond and other

climbers slept in this shipping

container for six nights

ON TOP OF THE WORLD: The climbers reached the highest peak in Australasia... then the trouble started

HIRED HELP: The porters who later turned on the climbers when one of their own was thought to be killed in a rock slide

News

“The villages literally went from smiling one moment, to wanting to cut off our heads the next.”

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124th EDITION. 2011


News

CQ coal mines wet but ready

THE Queensland Resources Council has given critics of an application to discharge water from Ensham mine in the Bowen Basin a spray.

QRC chief executive Michael Roche was quick to react recently when Rockhamp-ton regional councillor Greg Belz publicly expressed concerns about mining’s poten-tial impact on Fitzroy River water quality.

At the time Mr Belz was discussing the application by Ensham Resources, near Emerald, to pump out water trapped in its pits since last December back into the Nagoa River.

The mine wants to discharge 20,000 megalitres (ML) of water at a volume of 300 ML a day.

“Mine discharges have very clearly add-ed to the salinity content of water, they’ve

got a high level of sodium and it’s impor-tant that this stops in terms of its impact on the Fitzroy River waters,” Mr Belz said.

“The really important thing is . . . our rural water quality and the health of the Fitzroy River water environment and our future and that can’t be compromised.”

That was enough to raise the ire of Mr Roche described the Fitzroy as among the most extensively monitored and managed watercourses in Queensland.

Mr Roche also pointed out that he thought it ironic the “ill-informed com-mentary” was made the same day the Fit-zroy Water Quality Advisory Group held another of its regular meetings in Rock-hampton.

“The advisory group is there for its exper-tise and breadth of representation across

governments, industry, agriculture and envi-ronmental organisations,” Mr Roche said.

“This group is the bellwether for water quality issues in the Fitzroy River, and would have no hesitation in raising the red flag on any problem.”

The previous week the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) advised that above average rain-fall last wet season had resulted in the highest recharges to groundwater in the Fitzroy Basin since 1914.

There have been concerns raised recently about salinity levels in the Fitzroy, but DERM has confirmed mine discharges are not a major contributor.

“Ensham Mine’s plans to release strand-ed floodwater from its mine over the next three years within mandated Fitzroy Riv-

er environmental requirements is a clear example of the transparency surrounding the river’s management,” Mr Roche said.

“Ensham will only proceed with moni-tored dewatering of its mine where there is sufficient flow in the Fitzroy to achieve a sci-entifically acceptable level of saline dilution.

“I don’t believe any fair-minded citizen downstream from Ensham could ask for more than a clear announcement of the company’s intentions and plans, coupled to around-the-clock environmental mon-itoring and updated public scrutiny via a dedicated website.”

DERM confirmed it has received Ensham’s application and has 20 business days to make a decision. No mines are cur-rently discharging into the Fitzroy catch-ment.

QRC defends Ensham discharge application

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AN inspection of central Queensland coal mines has revealed the majority are well prepared for another big wet season.

Last December more than 80 per cent of the region’s mines were inundated.

Ten months later, and about 65 per cent are affected by water that is still trapped on site.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) has just finished inspecting 30 mines to check on their preparedness ahead of the wet season.

While the weather bureau is predict-ing another summer of above-average rain-fall, DERM’s director of mines in central Queensland, Andrew Connor, said most mines were standing ready.

“The overall picture we’ve got at the moment is that mines appear to be pre-pared for the coming months,” he said.

“That means that while they are holding water they have contingency plans in place.”

Mr Connor said the department had not issued any directives to any mines to

improve planning or water infrastructure.“We are working with some companies

who are in a worse position than others - but that is through no fault of their own.”

“It is just the amount of water they are dealing with already on site.”

But the wet season could offer the much needed opportunity for those mines to pump water off site because mines are able to release more water when river flows are high.

“The wet season is a double edged sword,” said Mr Connor.

“Too much rain and there are problems, but just enough and mines will be able to shed some of the water they have had on site since last December.”

Mr Connor said overall mines were much more aware about the need to weath-er proof their sites.

About half a dozen mines are now believed to be considering investing in water treatment facilities.

124th EDITION. 2011


AS Rio Tinto buys in big to machine min-ing in Western Australia, the skills crisis is expected to be the driving force of conver-sion here in Queensland.

Last week Rio Tinto signed a deal with Komatsu to buy at least 150 Autonomous

Haulage System (AHS) trucks for its Pilbara iron ore operations over the next four years.

Rio has been trialling the trucks since 2008 - and has found the fleet has boosted safety as well as productivity.

Komatsu Australia managing director

Sean Taylor said the scale of the deal was unprecedented.

“The scale of this rollout demonstrates clearly what the future of mining will look like,” he said.

In Queensland, experts say it is actual-ly very difficult to predict how automation will take shape here - and how fast.

“It is very difficult to tell because there is very little visibility on a company-by-com-pany basis,” explains the Mining Industry Skill’s Centre’s general manager for busi-ness development Lauren Feeney.

“What we do know is number of skilled workers required in the industry will be what drives automation in Queensland.”

“Mining companies will want to ensure consistent production outcomes, and in the current labour market they will be naturally drawn to considering automation.”

Ms Feeney said machine mining was more likely to occur at greenfields sites rather than at established mines.

“This process is not as simply as a flick of the switch.”

“It is very expensive, and it does require considerable change and completely new job roles with different skills sets.”

She said as new projects come on board, companies will have to look at what skills sets are available, and then make key deci-sions on how to proceed.

“There is always going to be a need for highly skilled human beings in mining.”

“But someone who can drive a truck can-not necessarily operate a truck remotely.”

“They will need to scope the workforce and see what types of workers are available at that time.”

She said it will become a case of weigh-ing up the costs.

“The establishment costs are obviously much larger for machine mining, but if com-panies want to continue to get their product of the ground then these are the kinds of options that will be considered.”

“The scale of this rollout demonstrates clearly what the future of mining will look like.”

News

Remote controlled trucks roll inDRIVERLESS FLEET:

150 Komatsu AHS trucks will make their

way into Rio Tinto’s Pilbara mines


THE waiting times for 457 visas needed to fill mining jobs has improved dramatically over the past three months, according to a migration specialist.

The Principal of Quick Visas, Chris Car-man, said the faster turnaround times have coincided with a 457 visa processing office being set up in Brisbane.

“There is actually a strong focus on get-ting mining and health jobs turned around really quickly,” he said.

“For example a geologist can be turned around in a week.”

“From what I have seen, even though there is not technically a process in place, if the job is in health or mining the depart-ment does prioritise it.”

Last week, the federal government announced a raft of new changes aimed at fast-tracking approvals for companies who are already accredited.

From today (Monday 7 November), a new accreditation scheme will begin for 457 visas.

Businesses can become accredited if they have been an active 457 visa sponsor over the past three years, taking care of at least 30 overseas workers over the past 12 months - and can guarantee that their local workforce is at least 75 per cent Australian.

They will then be put into a priority queue for all future visa applications.

They’ll also be given approval for six years to bring in skilled workers - rather than the current three.

Mr Carman said while the initiative is a good one, it would put new and smaller companies at a disadvantage.

“Say for argument’s sake a small mining or exploration company has just been tak-en over.”

“There will be a change to the ABN and they will be considered a new entity, which means it will take longer for their applica-tions to go through under this system.”

“What they are trying to do is assist com-panies that have good compliance, but inad-vertently it will disadvantage small and new players.”

Companies are increasing using 457 visas, with 54,360 granted in 2010-11 - an increase of 38 per cent on the previous year.

Mr Carman said he had been impressed with the turnaround times at the new Bris-bane office.

“They have really stepped up to the mark and thought we have to demonstrate that we can kick these out quickly and com-pliantly, and I think they have been doing it very well.”

“This issue is just going to get bigger for the resources sector so it’s encouraging that we are starting to see the process work now.”

A training program aimed at getting unem-ployed Queenslanders into coal seam gas jobs has been extended after more than half the participants found work.

The first intake involved 91 hopefuls from Logan, Ipswich, Gympie, Bundaberg and Toowoomba.

Eighty-three of those completed the program and 54 found work - 26 with CSG drilling companies in the Surat Basin.

Some of the participants had been out of work for more than four years.

The Mines Minister Stirling Hinchliffe has confirmed the program, run by Ener-gy Skills Queensland BoysTown at Harvey Bay, would continue.

The second round of drilling courses will be held in three locations, including Ipswich,

with 90 places available.BoysTown national operations manager

Brendan Bourke said there was three weeks of preparation work for participants before the training program began.

“We will work with each participant to address employment barriers they might face,” Mr Bourke said.

“They will undertake the Coal Board medical check up and cover other life skills and general workplace training, including modules from the Certificate II in Work-place Practices, to ensure they are ready.”

“We’ve also arranged industry tours and guest speakers so participants can get a bet-ter idea of how the work they are training to do fit in with what is going on throughout the region.”

Unemployed turned CSG drillers

SHIFTMINERladder

G E T W H E R E Y O U W A N T T O B E

SHIFTMINERladder


Welcome to Shift Miner Magazine’s LadderOur dedicated recruitment section

I am a trade qualified carpenter/builder seeking employment in the mining industry as an operator on a FIFO or DIDO roster .I have Loader, Excavator, Dozer, Skidsteer Loader, Road Roller and Fork Lift civil operators tickets and Truck Licence

PH Dale 0408183447 E: [email protected]

EMPLOYMENT WANTED

457 visa wait over

28 yr old female with Good working history.

Current coal board medical and SGS seeking greenie or trainee operations role.

Good knowledge of OH&S

Call 0450 572 381 E: [email protected]

Position Wanted

FOR EMpLOYEES

It’s the place to go to search for jobs that are relevant to your skills set and industry experience.

We’ve listened to your feedback, and we know you want a dedicated jobs section.

Ladder will bring you what opportunities are on offer in the region, and further afield.

FOR EMpLOYERS

It’s the place to go to find the skilled workers you need to keep your project on track.

Your message will be in front of your target audience - tradespeople, engineers, supervisors and skilled operators.

Don’t waste your time with expensive advertising campaigns that don’t work in publications that don’t target the mining community.

Take your message directly to the people you want working for you.

For enquiries call 4921 4333.


CONSTRUCTION giant Bechtel is paying its Gladstone employees $465 a week extra to share a bathroom in an attempt to ease the demands on Gladstone accommodation.

Bechtel is the principal construction contrac-tor for four major projects in the port city: Rio Tinto Alcan’s Yarwun 2 expansion; the Australia Pacific LNG project, the Gladstone LNG project and the Queensland Curtis LNG project.

Collectively that makes Bechtel one of the largest employers in the region, and by extension a company in huge need of accommodation services in the already extremely tight Gladstone rental market.

However Kevin Berg, general manager of Bechtel’s local operations, says the company is doing everything it can to minimise its effect on accommodation prices and availability.

He rejected claims that contractors in Gladstone are occupying 80 per cent of rental properties and all of the motel rooms.

“The fact is that we have got six per cent of the total available rental market with lease options or commitments on them,” he told the recent Golding Industry Conference.

“With regard to the motels, we have some-thing under 20 per cent of the available motel rooms in the area with options on those.”

Mr Berg said the company was paying workers more to share houses in order to minimise the impact.

“If we have got a four bedroom home with two bathrooms we pay people $465 a week extra in the hand to each of the four people if they will share those two bathrooms.”

“That way we get fully maximised bed use.”Mr Berg said the company was also

doing what it could to stop rental prices get-ting out of hand.

Bechtel has been working with the Glad-stone Regional Council to try and establish a housing price index, which they then use as a definitive guide to how much rent they will pay.

“We had rentals on some homes where we paid $350 a week 12 months ago,” he said.

“Those 12 month leases are now coming due and they are asking for $850 a week - so we vacate the house.”

“The current rent on a four bedroom house is in the $500 range, so rather than agreeing to pay that higher rate and then creating or contributing to the escalation of rents we will actually relocate the fami-ly, which is not an easy thing to do after you have been in a home for a year.”

While Bechtel has been working in Glad-stone for more than 30 years, its current LNG projects eclipse all previous operations.

According to Bechtel the company has never before, anywhere in the world, had three major LNG projects under construc-tion in one place.

SHIFTMINERladder


DRAGLINE OPERATORS Looking for a change of pace / part time employment?

Casual / Part time / Contract positions available

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457 visa wait over

124th EDITION. 2011


News

Keltie outstanding at BlackwaterKELTIE Butler is a valued administration trainee at Blackwater mine.

She also has Down Syndrome.She began work at the mine in May, as

part of a pilot program which focuses on creating opportunities for people with disa-bilities in regional communities.

Keltie will finish her Certificate II in Business Administration over the next two years 12-24 but is already standing out from the crowd.

She has just been awarded the Down Syndrome Association of Queensland Indi-vidual Achiever Award for 2011.

Blackwater mine general manager Paul Hemburrow has congratulated Keltie on the positive contribution she has already made to the mine in just a few months.

“This experience has helped our mine take a big step towards further building on a culture that is inclusive, understanding and considerate,” he said.

“Keltie is a wonderful addition to our team and is the first team member with Down Syndrome to work for one of our operations.”

“Keltie’s positive experience has rein-forced the positive role of the program at Blackwater mine and has emphasised the importance of engaging people in our com-munity who have a diverse range of abilities.”

SARINA Ambulance Station has been spruced up thanks to a tree planting effort by students from the local high school, St Anne’s Catholic Primary School and Sarina Land-care Catchment Management Association.

The planting was part of the high school’s Community Partnership project

which aims to help students at the school develop conflict resolution skills by volun-teering and working together on a range of local community projects.

Hail Creek Mine Community Develop-ment Fund has contributed $7000 towards the initiative.

VALUED EMPLOYEE: Keltie Butler with DSAQ’s Rachel Carr

Sarina State High School students and recipients of a Queensland Young Volunteers Award Taylor McFadden, Lachlan Davies, and Connor Bishop with Hail Creek Mine office based trainee and year 11 Sarina State High School student Jessica Dridan. The students had earlier planted trees at Sarina Ambulance Station.

Miners’ builder backs nrl bid

“When you are next off shift, you should hire a skip and clean up your yard for your wife!”

That’s the advice to all CQ miners from Kanga Bins owner and operator Peter McCasker.

Peter is a former miner himself, and knows the drill.

“Plenty of blokes working in places like Blackwater give me a ring when they are on shift to tee up for a bin to be sent out when they are next at home.”

“That’s why we offer a weekend deal where we drop the skip off on Friday and pick it up on Monday and that is our cheapest rate.”

“It’s either one of our bins or 20 trips to the tip, and most people say they would rather pay the one set price and just fill the skip up and be done with it.”

Peter has been running the Rockhamp-ton-based business for six years now, and hopes to have a recycling centre opened up in the new year.

Aside from running Kanga Bins, Peter is a mad league fan.

“I am a one-eyed Balmain supporter, but I do accept the Wests are there,” he laughs.

That’s why Peter and his wife Amanda are backing the CQ NRL Bid, which would see a team permanently based in the region.

Peter, why is Kanga Bins behind the bid?There are a number of reasons, but first and foremost my wife Amanda and I are mad NRL fans.

Secondly, we are locals and we want to see a footy team here in the region.

Most importantly, the business oppor-tunities this will bring to the region as a whole are invaluable.

At all the lunches and dinners that I go to to support the bid, that’s what we all say.

Those are the big three reasons why you are seeing so many businesses on board.

What would it do for the region?This would mean much more than just an A grade rugby league team, there will also be all the development squads and the junior players.

When you have people out there actively promoting the juniors you are also promoting your community’s future.

The big stadium will also bring money into town, and can be used as a venue for other events.

The flow on effects for all business will be huge.

Is it really a possibility?It’s a foregone conclusion for me.

You have the right man at the helm in Geoff Murphy.

He has the money, the brains, and acu-men and he will get his dream.

This is not about self ego, it’s driven by a true affection for his local community.

The other point to make is that half of the NRL players come out of central Queensland anyway - but they have to leave home to chase their dreams.

I am pretty convinced that if CQ is picked, a lot of locals will choose to come back and play in the inaugural team.

The Bowen Basin’s premier magazine

SHIFT MINERM A G A Z I N ELocally Owned

and Operated

Proudly supported by Shift Miner Magazine

Kanga Bins owners Peter & Amanda McCosker are behind the CQ NRL Bid

“clean up your own back yards” nrl bid supporter tells Miners

Student volunteers help community

If your local club has any news or

photos it wants added to this page,

you can submit your articles to

[email protected]

What’s happening in spORT in your town?

Rio Tinto Coal Australia is proud to be part of the Clermont, Emerald, Capella, Nebo, and Mackay communities.We are pleased to partner with Sarina State High School to support its

Community Partnerships project

Students are developing conflict resolution skills by working together on local projects such as tree planting days with Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association.

This innovative project is helping build resilience and self- esteem in students at the school while giving back to local community organisations.

We support a range of local projects through the Clermont Region, Kestrel Mine, and Hail

Creek Mine Community Development Funds.

For more information about the Funds contact:

on 0447 599 990

on 07 4984 7694

on 07 4951 6402

www.riotintocoalaustralia.com.au

XsTRATA gETs dIvIdENd oN Rugby INvEsTMENTThe heavy investment by Xstrata Coal into rugby union in central Queensland appears to be paying dividends with junior involvement in the sport on the rise.

More that 450 junior rugby players competed in the Western Schools 7s competition in Emerald last month, up from around 300 last year.

Players ranged in age from 10 to 18 in both the boys and girls competitions.

Speaking after the event, Tieri-based Queensland rugby development manager Joel Johnston said there had been improvements in both the quantity and quality of the players competing.

“For a competition that has experienced nearly 50 per cent growth since 2010 it ran very smoothly and credit must go to the volunteers, referees, teachers, players and coaches who made sure it was played in the right spirit,” he said.

“The pleasing aspect is that with the increase in teams, the standard of the competition has increased.”

Noted rugby union and league school St Brendan’s College at Yeppoon again dominated the carnival taking home the U14, U16 and U18 titles.

St Brendan’s U16 side were the stand out performers of the carnival beating their nearest rival in the finals by 45 points.

However, the small town of Springsure also shone in the U12 division after Harry Strandquist scored a 60 metre try to win the game for his team in the final minutes.

The player of the tournament was Cooper Brambling from the St Brendan’s U16 team.

bulls CoNNECTIoN bRINgs bMA HoMEWith around 11,000 employees on the books it might not come as a surprise that BMA are usually

able to field a competitive footy side.This year, workers from BMA mines across

central Queensland held out to beat Xstrata 26-17 in the annual charity rugby match at Tieri.

Coach of the BMA side Joel Hunter put the

victory down to most of the players - both league and union - having had good seasons in their local competitions.

“The majority of our players came either from the Moranbah Bulls union side, the Dysart Bulls league side and the Emerald Rams union side,” he said.

“Most of those teams had good seasons this year and that brought some consistency to our game.”

“We had a few standout performances, including our tight head prop Scott Deans who scored a try.”

“And the Dysart Bulls back line just really clicked.”The result was reversal of last year’s game when

Xstrata beat BMA by a similar margin.While the victory may have gone to BMA the credit

really belonged to Xstrata, according to Mr Hunter.“I would really like to give credit to Xstrata for

organising the day,” he said.“Without all the work they put in nothing would

happen.”“All we do is turn up on the day and provide some

competition, so they really are the ones who have raised the money.”

The charity match raised more than $20,000 which will be officially donated to the Tieri local ambulance committee some time in the next month.

More than 300 spectators turned up for the day and in other results BMA were also victorious in the charity soccer match.

COMBINED EFFORT: Xstrata and BMA miners after a hard fought charity rugby match in Tieri, which raised more than $20, 000 for local charity

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: The U14 girls were lead by their division best and fairest winner Emerald’s Miesha Huet.

Come Along & enjoy a Beer & Burger on us, Central Highlands Rugby League.Wednesday 16th November - 6.55pm Capella Hotel Motel to be followed by Annual General MeetingCalling for Nominations for:- - President - Secretary - Treasuerer All nominations in writing - Secretary, PO Box 399, Blackwater Qld 4717 Email - [email protected]

Annual General MeetingCentral Highlands Rugby League

“clean up your own back yards” nrl bid supporter tells Miners

Student volunteers help community

124th EDITION. 2011


arOuNd TOwN

Holding a social event you want photographed? Call the Shift Miner office on 4921 4333 to let us know. You can also give our office a bell if you’d like a copy of any of the photos in this edition.

www.shiftminer.comBUY THIS AND MANY OTHER IMAGES AT

Shift Miner magazine – bringing the mining community closer together

RElAy FoR lIFE

bubs & Cubs

More than 300 Moranbah and district residents took part in the annual Relay for Life recently. Cancer survivors, their carers and community members spent a marathon 18 hours walking, running and dancing

their way around Darryl Bourke Oval in an effort to raise much needed funds for the Cancer Council of Queensland.

Moranbah East P&C held a Baby and Children’s market to raise money for the school. Community members were encouraged to clear out their sheds and wardrobes and trade in their unwanted, pre-loved baby gear,

clothes and toys. Local home business owners were also invited to sell their wares at the markets.

Nathan and Ethan Patterson

Mariah Katt, Brooke Lemke and Tim Hassall

A variety of zany costumes were on display at the Relay for Life

Kate Anderson and Kerrigan Plahn Heidi James and Dianne Shore

Cally Brunker and Rebecca Hammer

Pam Maher with Kodi and Russell James

Kelsie Moulds and Ashley Thompson

Jemma Wells from ‘Beautiful Beginnings by Jem’

Sarah Drake

Ella Philps and Ethan Tebbutt

Sara and Abigail Skennar sell some of their pre-loved books

Lynette and Casey Scott

124th EDITION. 2011


arOuNd TOwN

09/2

011

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RAdIo sTARsMoranbah Radio Control Car Club hosted the 2nd round of the Sunshine State Inter Club Series during October. Drivers from Gladstone, Rockhampton and Mackay converged on the Moranbah track for a weekend of high speed and spectacular jumps. Drivers raced it out to see who reigned supreme in the Nitro Buggy, Nitro Truggy, Electric and Children’s classes. The event was made possible thanks to major sponsors Leighton Contractors, BMA, RC Nitro Central, Surelift, Flexi-Hire and T&M Earthmoving.

FRIgHT NIgHT The Blackwater PCYC held a Halloween skate recently... attended by ghouls, ghosts and goblins...

Jessica Jenkins

Bailey Lee

Tanya Shield and Lauren Roberts

Brooke Reid and Caitlin Griffiths

Oscar Wright and Kyle Lloyd-Jones

Abby Rogers and Brooke Kirkby

Zoe Prince and Nakita Zunker

Travis Dixon and Dylan Gook

Paige Harvey and Nikki Starr

Zoe Russell and Tarni Smith

Rhiannon Solinas and Amy Dowie

Dakota Kirkby, Kayan Hill and Logan Robe

124th EDITION. 2011


sTuff TO The ediTOr

Got somethinG to share? send us your text messages or phone photos to

0428 154 653 or email to [email protected]

Our front page story last edition about 10,000 Gold Coast job seekers looking for mining work has many of your talking:

FIFO is going to be the trend - people want mining jobs and they want to live on the coast. End of story. R.T, Bris-bane

10,000 people can’t be wrong. Sor-ry Moranbah, when the rents go down maybe we will want to move. Until then, I’d prefer to live on the Gold Coast. E.R, Mackay

I’m sick of the all the whingeing about FIFO destroying towns. FIFO gives workers what they want. Good money, and a good lifestyle. T.M, Cairns

Local mining towns don’t have a chance unless they’re promoted as good plac-es to live. You can make friends for life out here, and watch your kids grow up. Don’t become a stranger in your own home. Say no to FIFO. P.D, Moranbah

BMA’s decision not to release the names of Bowen Basin businesses that have apparently been awarded $5.5 million in contracts has raised a few eyebrows:

Why won’t BMA tell us who these com-panies are? I’ll tell you why - because they don’t exist. W.D, Emerald

If BMA has really dished out the mon-ey then why don’t they just say who to? Then surely it would be a good news story? Why keep us in the dark BMA? T.M, Moranbah

Our new sports section has secured a few fans:

Thanx for the sports news - it’s great for local clubs to finally get some cov-erage. J.D, Tieri

Less news more sport, that’s what Shift Miner needs! T.W, Mackay

SHIFT MINERMonday 24th October 123rd Edition 2011

The Queensland mining community’s best source of local news

M A G A Z I N E

The Partners:

John Taylor - LL.B

Sharon Smith - BEc/LL.B Hons

Craig Worsley - LL.B

Greg Carroll

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

Mining Accidents

Work Accidents

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Insurance/TPD Claims

CONVEYANCING ESTATE L

AW COMMERCIAL

LAW Phone 4957 2

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om.au

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TAYLORS

SOLICITORS

NewsYou and the

Gladstone boom

» page 8

NewsAlpha graziers say

no deal » page 4

NewsNew dam just months

away » page 9

Ladder

Fancy some work in

Mongolia? » page 10

Around Town

All of Blackwater’s

rodeo action » page 15

Off Shift

Surviving family this

Christmas » page 21

Money Matters

Is now the time to

invest in shares?

» page 25

Locally Owned and Operated - www.shiftminer.com

By Greg Sweetnam

MINERS who are prepared to work on a � y-

in � y-out (FIFO) roster will soon have unprec-

edented choice over where they can live.

The Sunshine and Gold Coasts have both

been vying for a piece of the mining pie and

are competing for deals with mining compa-

nies that would see them become the home

base for FIFO workers.

The Gold Coast airport is expected to

announce before Christmas that the former

Tiger Airways terminal will be turned into a

hub for mining services.

Last week, more than 10,000 hopefuls

showed up to the � rst Work for Queensland

Mining and Gas Jobs Expo held at the Gold

Coast Convention Centre.

The acting Premier Andrew Fraser was

held up for the of� cial opening of the event,

because of the large early crowds that had

descended on the expo.

“This shows to me that there are plenty of

people that want to get a piece of the (min-

ing) action,” he told media.

Mr Fraser said the massive turnout also

supported the coast’s case to become a FIFO

mining hub. » continued page 6

Moranbah’s big expo » Page 14

ARMY OF 10,000 Gold Coast

greenskins

swarm for jobs

Ladder

Fancy some work in

Mongolia?

Around TownThe whole tooth...

BEST PIC WINNERS!Over the past six months, we have been sent dozens of pics from mine sites across CQ. These are our favourites. If you sent it in, call the shift Miner Magazine office on (07) 4921 4333 to claim your prize. A $100 gift voucher to your favourite pub/restaurant/shop will be coming your way soon. For your chance to win, keep sending your pics in - and just in case you’re worried - we never print your name when we publish them.

Tune into the Michael J. Breakfast show from 7:35 am every Monday for 4RO's CQ Mining Update, with special guest Angus from Shift Miner.

Greg CaryMichael BaileyWeekdays 5am - 9am Weekdays 9am - 12pm

Weekdays 12pm - 1pmAlan Jones

Weekdays 1pm - 6pmLaurie Atlas

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Text to 0428 154 [email protected]

stuff to the editor

124th EDITION. 2011


fair diNKuM

IN THE US - Las Vegas resident Wesley Warren Junior is trying to raise $1 million to correct a medical defect that caused his scrotum to swell to more than 45 kilograms.

The condition is rarely seen outside Africa and Asia and is usually caused by mosquito spread parasitic infection.

Mr Warren claims he has never travelled to tropical areas, but believes his condition was caused after his scrotum became twist-ed when he rolled over in bed one evening.

He says that when he awoke the next morning his scrotum had swollen to the size of a soccer ball, and has continued growing ever since.IN SWEDEN - Police have arrested a pair of robbers using DNA taken from their excrement.

The two crooks answered the call of nature before breaking into the home of a strawberry farmer and making off with cash and a car.

Detectives stumbled upon the unusual clue and were able to extract DNA from it.

The two robbers and an accomplice were recently arrested and charged with a slew of offences.

IN POLAND - The World Scrabble Cham-pionships have been rocked by controversy after a missing “G” tile led to accusations of cheating and a demand for a strip search.

A Thai competitor insisted that his British opponent should be strip-searched in the toilets in an effort to locate the sup-posedly missing tile.

The judges eventually ruled in favour of the Brit, who won the match by only one point.

The strip search fiasco is the biggest scandal to rock the world of professional Scrabble since a player accused another of eating a tile.IN PERU - A soccer fan has offered tickets to a world cup qualifier to anyone who can facilitate the safe return of his dog, Chocolate.

The man left the dog in a car at a family get together because he was barking too much.

As bad luck would have it, his car was stolen with his beloved shih tzu inside.

After lining up for days to purchase prime seats to the qualifying match between Peru and Paraguay, the grief stricken dog owner has offered up his tickets for the safe return of his pooch.

Fair DiNkum!

Lizzie,Frank is right (remarkably) about one thing, long distance relationships are very difficult, but not impossible.

If you really like this guy then I’d say it’s worth pursuing the relationship, pro-viding he feels the same way.

If you both decide it’s something you want, and with a bit of hard work you can make it happen.

You can chat regularly using Skype, or over the phone, and maybe organise to meet up whenever you can.

If things get more serious down the track you can always discuss the possibil-ity of moving.

Susan

Hi Frank,I have met someone who actually works out one of the mines where Shift Miner Magazine is published. He is a really great guy, we met at a wedding, got along really well and have spoken many times on the phone for several hours at a time. Since then we met up in Melbourne, and also had lots of fun. The problem is, I live in Perth and he lives in Melbourne when he is not working on the mine. What should I do? Is it worth persevering, or is it likely to end in tears and heartache?Lizzie, Perth

I must say, Lizzie, I’m quite proud to know that my fame extends all the way to Perth, but then again, I can’t say I’m sur-prised.

Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat it, the long distance relationship is one of the most difficult things in the world of love to manage, believe me, I know from per-sonal experience.

When I was a younger man I was forced apart from my true love through a cruel twist of fate.

You see, I had a few problems with the government, apparently it is ‘illegal’

to claim tax breaks as a World War II vet if you didn’t actually fight in the war, and were born several years after its conclu-sion.

Lacking the funds to repay the tax man I did the only noble thing, I cooked the books and framed my girlfriend for tax fraud.

We continued to see each other for a while, but the distance made things very difficult, plus once I realised you had to be married to use the conjugal visit trail-er I kind of lost interest.

Anyway, that’s enough about me, I’m going to go out a limb and here and say that your long distance relationship is worth pursuing.

In this futuristic utopia of ours there are so many different ways to commu-nicate you’ll barely realise that you’re in Perth and he’s in Melbourne.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Frank, what about the physical aspects of our relationship?”

This is where you can really capital-ise on this situation, tell your man friend that you want to spice up the long dis-tance relationship and get him to send you some lewd pictures of himself.

Immediately copy these pictures and store them on file somewhere for the pur-pose of future blackmail.

Let’s face it, long distance relation-ships rarely have a fairytale ending, but there’s no reason you can’t make a little dough out of yours.

If things go pear-shaped and you’re upset feel free to write or call me regular-ly, that way I can claim you as a depend-ant child as part of my latest tax scam.

Frank

If you have a question for Frank and susan Email Us at: [email protected]

Sensible Susan

Frank the Tank’s “Streakin” good love advice




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enclosed deck, front pation,

security screens /door

3x3 shed, 7,2 x 3 carport,

3yr old,

Blinds etc

$120,000 neg

Phone: 0401 968 725

HOUSE FOR SALE

Mission Beach Brand

new 2 bedroom $27,000

discount to

be made by eligible First

Home Buyers!

180 Footsteps to the

beach

$320,000

Phone: 0419 685 495

LAND FOR SALE

Two x 500 acre blocks,

75klm Agnes Water,

65klm B\’Berg some hilly

country suit cattle, 4WD,

Bikes, all fully fenced,

$280k & $320k each.

Phone: 0408 787 513

or 0419 674 413

HOUSE FOR SALE

Take $21000 off the price below even for investors. Brand New

impressive 4bed 2 bath DLUG, level fenced, Room

Shed/Van Nth Entert. Walk shops/school

$419 000Phone: 0409 055 062

HOUSE FOR SALE

Agnes Water, 4

acres, 3 Bed, 2 Bath.

3Metre verandah’s,

Carport, 4 Day Shed,

Fenced yard, Dam.

7.5 k to town and beach

$485,000

Phone: 0409 254 525

LAND FOR SALE

Mission beach - 75 acres

Cleared - elevated homesite

with views

river boat ramp & beach

$ 360,000.00 NEG

Phone: 0428 277 625

LAND FOR SALE

Land for sale, Hervey Bay. Turtle Cove Estate.

views of Fraser Island. Cannot be built out.

Underground power, phone and water at front

of block. 6mins to Airport 3min boatramp and

barge to Fraser. About 10min to Town. ono.

$262,000 ono

Phone: 0411 098 241

HOUSE FOR SALEToomulla Beach (40Km North

of Townsville) 2-bedroom, steel-framed,

low-maintenance home in peaceful suburb. Land

592m2. Seeks sea change’ dreamer. More information

online.Low $200,000s

Phone:0411 228 870

UNIT FOR SALE14 / 98 Mitchell Street,

North Ward in Townsville with Sea Views

The complex comes with secure underground

car parking, lift access, gymnasium, common

BBQ area & a 23 metre lap pool. A/c with 2

bedrooms, 2 bathrooms &

$625,000 neg Phone 0407 326 271

BOAT FOR SALE1998 Aquarius 36ft

Flybridge cruiser, chart plotter, radar, auto pilot, bow & stern thrusters, zodiac, RFD, 5 berths,

shower, toilet, 250 lt fridge, 300 lt freezer, air con &

much more. Immac cond. Gladstone.

$155,000 ono.Phone: 0437 657 433

CAR FOR SALEGunmetal grey 2009

TRITON GLX-R dualcab, 4x4, auto;diesel, RWC

3yrs/113,000 klms warranty, 16900 klms,

reversing camera,

tow bar, driving lights $38,500

Phone: 07 4934 8358

BOAT FOR SALEAustralian Lightweight

Sharpie No. 727Kevlar Hull, sails and

spars in good to excellent condition, comes

with registered trailer and beach trolleyBeautiful to sail

$3,900Phone: 0428 154 653

CAR FOR SALE

TTLS1 2002 vx ss-

quicksilver 9.3@153mph-

980rwhp,408ci cast iron

block twin turbo drag

car built by hpf vic. all

extras parachute etc

$45,000 neg.

Phone: 0415 286 834

HOUSE FOR SALEFully furnished fully a/c modern home on 7.5 acres 500 metres

beach, 2 bedrooms 2

or 3rd bedroom large carport 3bay shed fully

equipped workshop $695,000

Phone 0428 476 001

CAR FOR SALE

ss holden ute built by

horsepower heroes

summernats, featured

no.times ozgarage ,street

machine etc.

$70 000

Phone: 0415 286 834

BOAT FOR SALE

Centre ConsoleFantastic Condition (Near New) & Low Hours (57)

Open Water Safety compliance GearLarge Bimini VHFDunbier Trailer

Rego 9/12 Phone: 0427 786 974

CAR FOR SALE

69 dodge charger R\T

matching numbers.

needs total restoration.

$28,000

Phone: 0488 191 518

HOUSE FOR SALEEungella, 90 mins

from Mackay.Eco-architect designed award winning 3 bdrm

home on 5 acres, 2 yrs old, 4 bay shed,

stunning views. Adjoining optional

174 acres of improved pasture also for sale.

$749,000. Phone: 0420 104 278

QUAD BIKE FOR SALE

2004 Honda TRX 500

Quad.

Many new parts,new

tyres.

Bullbar,Front and Rear

racks.

Very good condition

$5,000

Phone: 0418 399 858

LAND FOR SALE

GLADSTONE Vacant Land

Why wait for developers?

800sqm in New Estate

Ready to build on.

$300 000

Phone: 0421 365 193

RING FOR SALERare 1970’s Russian 14ct rose gold diamond ring, containing a 0.65 carat diamond, independently

valued at $5800. Extremely hard to come by in Australia. Never Worn, Reluctant sale.

REDUCED to $4,500 ono

Phone: 0428 344 437

CRANE TRUCK FOR SALE

Nissan Atlas Crane Truck

988 model, 79,000 k

4495 GVM, Tadano 2T crane

6.4m under hook

RWC, Only car licence

needed to drive

$13,500

07 4941 7147 or

Phone: 0427 824 880

CAR FOR SALEGenuine 160hrs.

Only used in FRESH water.Mercruiser Black Scorpion

Meticulously serviced and cared for.

Craftsman made excellence for the serious skier/

boarder.Phone: 0418 794 525.

BOAT FOR SALE2005 Joshua Deep Sea Series 6.5 Centre Cab.

Suzuki 175hp4 Stroke Safety Gear

UHF Radio

Kill Bin Deck Wash Bait TankSelf draining deck

$58 000. ONOPhone: 0488 285 042

ON-SITE VAN FOR SALE

Onsite van,Burnett Hds,( Bundaberg)32ft with hard

annexe

shwr& toilet

laundry&workshed

fridge & washmachine

small yrd.

Suit singleman.

$35,000.

Phone: 0427 100 071

HOUSE FOR SALEHouse on 40 acres near

Agnes water QLD. Unique pavillion style home, 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms

with 9x12 shed/ carport.

fenced, waterhole and a small dam. Large deck

and breathtaking views. 15 km from surf beach

and town of 1770. $510,000

Phone: 0400 797 075

YOUR CLASSY HERE2 Weeks $19.506 Weeks $49.50Until Sold $99.50

Reach 20,000 miners

www.shiftminer.com

124th EDITION. 2011


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Shift MinerHandy 15A blank gridShiftMInerHandyblank.pdf©Lovatts Publications 2010

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10

11

12 13

14 15 16

17 18

19 20 21

22 23

24 25 26

27 28

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41 #MUIDEM

58 1 5 9 79 4 8 3

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1. Horse shed

2. Exposing

3. Rips

4. Hand bomb

6. Highway cafe

7. Yearnings

8. Winds together

11. Elizabeth I, Good Queen ...

15. Poverty

17. Police district

18. Braver

20. Love god

21. Sideways (movement)

22. Seize

23. Stage whispers

26. Restrict (3,2)

ACRoss 1. Secretly damage (equipment)

5. Metal grating

9. Flight fees (3,5)

10. Iron-attracting bar

12. Design (garden)

13. West Indian republic

14. Pleadingly, on bended ...

16. Illegally import

19. Alleviate

21. Fibs

24. Prickly desert plants

25. Upstages

27. Sounds

28. Cued (actor)

29. Humanitarian, Mother ...

30. Winces

doWN

SHIFT MINERHandy Cross 756 - (15A grid)ShiftMinerHandy091s. pdf© Lovatts Publications 10/06/2010

O R N A T E L Y T A C T I CN O I E V U UW I T H D R E W W E D G E DA I A R A R B DR E C A L L I N G S H O A LD E N E I A I

G A N G S H O R T E NT A G N S GW A V E R E D J O S SO I E E E R UT R A C E M A R A U D E R SI T M O I R M EM A I L E D S C A B B A R DE O N H A N UD E N O T E J O I N E D U P

# 13 8 9 4 1 6 7 3 2 53 6 1 5 8 2 7 9 47 5 2 4 9 3 6 8 15 8 9 2 3 6 4 1 71 3 7 8 4 5 9 6 24 2 6 9 7 1 5 3 86 7 5 3 2 8 1 4 99 1 8 6 5 4 2 7 32 4 3 7 1 9 8 5 6

lAsT EdITIoN’s soluTIoNs

Callum and Mary had money prob-lems. They weren’t in debt, except for their credit card, but each fort-night was a struggle. They tried not to argue about money, but sometimes they did. One Friday evening, Mary put her solution to Callum. “I think we should do two or three years in the mines,” she said.

Mary had dropped hints like this before, and Callum had been able to deflect them, till now. He loved his job, and his friends were in Rocky. So were hers. “What about your friends?” he asked her.

“I think we need to make a small sacrifice for a while. We can still come into Rocky to socialise, and shop, every month or so.”

Mary took Callum through the numbers. “If we live on what we do now, plus a bit, we should be able to save two-thousand dollars a month. In two years, we could save seventy-eight thousand dollars; more with interest.

That got Callum’s attention. He applied for six jobs from Saturday’s paper. Over the next weeks, he got three interviews and an offer with a contractor based in Moranbah. He accepted it.

The plan took an early hit when they went to find a house. Rents were a little higher than they’d expected. “This is extortion,” said Callum.

The property manager mum-bled something about supply and demand. They paid the rent, every week, because they needed a place to live. Still, it felt dirty paying that s ort of money.

The rent wasn’t the end of it. “Can you believe tomatoes cost six dollars a kilo here?” said Mary, after Callum’s first day on the job.

“Is that bad?” said Callum. “It’s been a while since I bought a tomato.”

“Yes, it’s bad.” It wasn’t just tomatoes that were

more expensive; everything was. The first pay-packet had some

surprises, too. “Are you sure this is right?” said Callum, as he went though the pay-slip. They must be taking too much tax, surely!”

They decided to sacrifice the dis-counted private health insurance that came with the package to save more money. It turned out that the Medi-care levy surcharge – the extra tax for not having private health insurance – cost more than the insurance itself.

Mary crunched the numbers again. “I think we can still save thir-ty-thousand in two years,” she said.

The trips to Rocky didn’t really happen. The first attempt cost them just over five hundred dollars, not including the shopping. They went to Mackay to shop, but decided to try and avoid that. Still, they needed to get out of town sometimes to keep from going nuts.

Other things helped, to keep them sane. Mary didn’t need much con-vincing to get a big flat-screen TV. They negotiated a good price on a surround sound system, to com-plete the home theatre setup. Some-times Mary got her hair or nails done in town, just for something to do. When their station wagon went north of two-hundred thousand kilo-metres, they leased a Prado.

When they finished their two years; they had saved only ten thou-sand dollars. “Well, we improved and upgraded a lot of things,” said Callum. “And we had our first over-seas holiday.”

Callum said maybe they should do another two years, and really knuck-le down and save. Mary did mention the idea of going overseas, to some-where like Indonesia, to really save some serious money, but Callum managed to avoid that subject, so far.

by Bernard S. Jansen5 minute fiction

Two Year Plan

Bernard S. Jansen is 32, married has three young boys. He lives in Emerald, works as an engineer at a local coal mine and is active in his local church. Read more of Bernard’s writing online at surgebin.blogspot.com or email him at [email protected]

GOT AN IDEA FOR A STORY? Let Bernard know - email him at [email protected] or hop on his blog surgebin.blogspot.com

124th EDITION. 2011


Off shifT

FIsHINg IN glAdsToNE

It is still hard work, but barra are being caught at Lake Awoonga.

“It’s taking a while to warm up, but when it does I think we will see fishing - while maybe not back to normal - certainly much better,” said Greg from Pat’s Tackle World.

During the January floods, more than 100,000 barra went over the dam wall, and while people have been catching them eve-rywhere else as a result, Awoonga has been very quiet.

“Now we are getting reports of fish in the deep water, barra being pulled up by fellas trolling at the back of the lake,” said Greg.

Out wide, there have been reports of Spanish off Rundle Island, and the Bunker Group (Heron & Masthead Islands) has been fishing well, with many anglers catch-

ing their bag limits.“The weather patterns are looking real-

ly good, it should drop to about 5-10 knots over the next week so there should be some good solid fishing,” said Greg.

FIsHINg IN yEPPooN

With the tides building in October, the fish-ing has continued to improve, according to Tony from The Secret Spot.

The wide grounds are consistently pro-ducing good catches of red emperor, red jew, sweet lip and trout.

“The large tides have finally got the local Spanish Mackeral population taking baits and lures,” say Tony.

The next couple of months will see a marked increase in Black Kingfish in Kep-pel Bay.

These fish are fighters and excellent table fare - but remember only two per person.

“Grunter and black jew continue to come over the side of the boat at all of the close spots like Findlays and The Pinnacles.”

The beaches and estuaries are still pro-ducing the bread and butter fish - flathead, bream, whiting and trevally.

Blue salmon have been seen smashing large schools of yorkies around the harbour and these fish are of good size.

Barramundi went off the menu on November 1st to February 1st, so take care to release any you hook.

FIsHINg IN MACKAy

The weather forecast is picture perfect for Mackay fishermen over the next week.

“The coral spawn that has been hanging

around made things quiet, but with the tid-al changes that should be gone soon,” said Bruce from Nashy’s Compleat Angler.

“All points should lead east - get out to the reef if you can.”

Bruce reckons there should be plenty of trout, nannagai, lipper and other good qual-ity table fish out wide.

“Try any bait from pilchers to squid to strip bait - and remember the small tides are best.”

Creek wise, things have been a bit quiet.Kinchant Dam has been producing a few

barra and there have been some nice man-grove Jacks caught in the river and a bit of prawn bait around for those throwing in the cast nets.

Gla

ds

to

ne

Ma

CK

aY

Gla

ds

to

ne

Ma

CK

aY

TIDE TIMEs NOVEMBERMon 7 Tue 8 Wed 9 Thu 10 Fri 11 Sat 12 Sun 13

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0047 0.82 0121 0.74 0150 0.68 0218 0.66 0246 0.67 0314 0.72 0343 0.81

0702 3.69 0737 3.83 0808 3.93 0839 4.00 0909 4.02 0941 4.00 1015 3.93

1309 1.07 1344 0.99 1418 0.92 1451 0.89 1524 0.89 1558 0.93 1634 1.01

1913 3.54 1949 3.52 2022 3.48 2053 3.42 2124 3.33 2154 3.23 2225 3.12

0243 0.76 0314 0.73 0343 0.73 0410 0.76 0435 0.82 0502 0.92 0530 1.04

0851 5.08 0924 5.21 0954 5.30 1023 5.33 1050 5.31 1119 5.25 1149 5.15

1504 1.17 1539 1.13 1611 1.12 1643 1.16 1713 1.23 1743 1.34 1817 1.46

2056 4.79 2128 4.70 2158 4.57 2226 4.43 2254 4.29 2323 4.14 2355 3.99

Mon 14 Tue 15 Wed 16 Thu 17 Fri 18 Sat 19 Sun 20

Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht Time Ht

0412 0.94 0444 1.08 0523 1.25 0040 2.83 0156 2.83 0319 2.98 0435 3.26

1051 3.84 1132 3.73 1221 3.63 0622 1.42 0750 1.52 0921 1.46 1040 1.28

1713 1.11 1755 1.21 1847 1.30 1320 3.56 1429 3.55 1538 3.60 1644 3.68

2300 3.01 2343 2.91 1949 1.31 2100 1.23 2210 1.06 2313 0.83

0600 1.21 0033 3.84 0123 3.70 0231 3.63 0358 3.74 0520 4.08 0012 1.03

1223 5.02 0637 1.40 0723 1.61 0829 1.80 0954 1.85 1121 1.69 0626 4.55

1855 1.60 1304 4.86 1357 4.72 1505 4.65 1623 4.71 1734 4.88 1235 1.39

1942 1.72 2043 1.76 2156 1.65 2308 1.39 1836 5.07

If you have a good photo or fishing yarn

send it through to our resident bait chucker- [email protected]

Thundery spring showersWeek 1 - Thundery spring showers have caused some interesting falls in the Coalfields. Clermont Airport recorded 36.8mm late on Sunday 30 October. This was caused by the retreating Queensland trough (QT) which is a feature of the warmer months in the Coalfields. Other falls (mm) of note on the same night: Sandy Ck. Bridge 24, Waddy Brae 23, Mt. Mayde 22, Sunny Park 20, Red Rock 16, Utopia Downs 14, Katrina downs 14 and Somerby 10. The QT sits in the far west ready to move east around mid month. In the interim very warm/hot temperatures cause Direct Sun Temperatures (DST) to be in the mid-high forties later in the week. Boaties - the fickle spring conditions continue. The moderate breezes last weekend which made way for a brief shower or two drop by again late this week

with afternoon fresh NNE sea breezes. This could herald a SE/E change during the weekend. Something to watch! Always a risk of a thundery with the change.

Week 2 - the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) has fallen from a +10 in late October to +7 to start November. The Monsoon trough this time last year was affecting the Australian tropics. In fact a Tropical Cyclone formed off Indonesia on November 1 last year. This year these signs seem to be occurring a little later. So more hot conditions in the Coalfields with the threat of an evening thundery shower. Much warmer than this time last year.

Marine Lovers - the sea breezes will be a rather fresh from the NNE in the afternoons. That means out early and back by lunch.

YOUR WEATHER FORECASTWith Mike Griffin

BAIT sHOp BAnTER

124th EDITION. 2011


YOUR WEATHER FORECAST

Off shifT

THE people of Blackwater opened their hearts and their wallets recently raising more than $700 for the Daniel Morcombe Foundation through a community walk.

Almost 100 people turned up in support of the event, held annually to promote child safety after the disappearance of Sunshine

Coast teen Daniel Morcombe who went miss-ing while waiting for a bus in December 2003.

His family has since established the non-profit foundation that stages the nation-al Day For Daniel walk and promotes child safety through schools.

Blackwater event organiser, Elisa Good-

win, said all proceeds from the day were donated to the foundation.

“As a parent of two young children, I cannot think of anything worse than losing a child under the circumstances in which Daniel disappeared,” she said.

“The Daniel Morcombe Foundation is doing some fantastic work in travelling around the country, talking to school children about the

importance of personal safety and giving practi-cal steps that children can take to recognize dan-gerous situations and to help keep them safe.”

“I really wanted to do what I could to help support their cause.”

The day was supported by The Village on Blain, Blackwater Rotary Club, Central Highlands Regional Council, Blackwater Police and Blackwater Gifts & Flowers.

IN 1985 cinema goers all over the world were introduced to Marty McFly, Dr Emmet Brown and a time traveling sports car.

The Back to the Future trilogy is among the most popular in cinema history, but in my view the original film is still the best.

It focuses on high school student Marty McFly (Michael J Fox), a generally nice guy who is desperate not to end up like his father, a meek man who is still bullied by one of his old high school classmates.

Marty is friends with inventor and local crackpot Dr Emmett Brown, who claims he has successfully built a working time machine.

After an experiment to test the time machine goes wrong Marty is accidentally

transported back to the 1950s.In his attempts to seek out Doc Brown

and enlist his help to get back to the future Marty unwittingly interrupts his mother and father’s first meeting, thus placing his very existence in jeopardy.

Marty must then attempt to make sure his mother and father fall in love to ensure his existence before he can get back to 1985.

Produced by Steven Spielberg it was unlikely that Back to the Future was going to be anything less than a box office smash, but the film has stood the test of time being generally regarded by fans and critics alike as one of the greatest movies of all time.

The film’s success can largely be attributed to the skillful writing and direction of Robert Zemeckis, who manages to seamlessly blend action/adventure with elements of comedy and drama, and then encapsulate all these sub genres into what can perhaps most aptly be described as a science fiction narrative.

The influence of the Back to the Future franchise is still apparent on popular culture more than two decades after the original film as released.

TV shows such as Family Guy frequently parody scenes from the film, and earlier this year Nike put 1,500 pairs of ‘Marty McFly’ sneakers on

eBay to raise money for Michael J Fox’s Parkinson’s research foundation.

If you’ve never seen Back to the Future - or even if you have - I highly recommend making time in the very near future (all

puns intended) to check it out.Like all classics it seems to get better

with age, and there’s just something innately cool about a car that can travel back in time.

ClassiCREViEWBY JUSTIN CARLOS

BlAST FROM THE PAST

Blackwater steps out for Daniel

124th EDITION. 2011


Off shifT

By Alex Graham“WHERE would I find the West Coast

Coolers?” I asked the bloke behind the counter at my local bottlo.

“It’s been a decade since I’ve drunk them and I’m not sure where you keep them anymore.”

The shop assistant looked me up and down, then broke into a grin.

“Is that about how long it’s been since you’ve seen Barnsey live?”

We both laughed, and I knew that he knew I was catching the last plane outta Sydney straight to Bow River.

It seems the entire town was on count down

to the Cold Chisel concert - not just me.As I pulled the top off my first West

Coast Cooler and tasted the over-sweet goodness that had been my first exposure to alcohol all those years ago, I was shocked to discover I still quite liked the taste.

I just hoped the same could be said about Cold Chisel, and this wasn’t going to be the kind of trip down memory lane you wished you’d never embarked on.

My thoughts were interrupted by a text from a friend who lives down the road from the Rockhampton Showgrounds, where the concert was being held.

Apparently the warm up set had rocked,

and there was a lot of black clothing making its way into the Showgrounds - and not the Melbourne arts scene variety.

This news filled me with hope.Maybe this concert really could live up to

the hype?Twenty minutes later I was standing in

the Showgrounds scoping for access points to the front of the dance floor.

It wasn’t hard.The atmosphere was positively jovial,

partly due to the fact that most of the audience were well into their 40s (and counting).

People gladly wriggled over a little to let others through, with a polite nod.

The crowd was there for a good time, people were smiling as they drank their rum cans - something I’d always considered an oxymoron until now.

It was count down to the main event.... then, just like that, with absolutely no fanfare whatsoever the band walked on stage.

One word best described the men and sound of Cold Chisel.

Authentic.God, I cannot tell you how refreshing it was.In a world where everything is stage

managed and mediocrity is almost celebrated in shows like Australia’s Got Talent here was a band whose genuine energy still rocked 40 years after they first formed.

There were no costume changes, no pyrotechnic displays.

Just a group of blokes pushing 60, sweating profusely under the hot lights, and giving it everything they’d got.

Sure, some things had changed - for starters Jimmy Barnes was swigging gatorade not vodka.

But the intensity of that voice remained.When he stood on the edge of that stage

and belted out the first notes of Standing on the Outside, the opening anthem to the concert, it was easy to see how the band had become iconic.

And then there was Mossy.Ian Moss delivered in a way that I could

barely believe.The hits kept coming, Choir Girl,

Breakfast at Sweethearts and Bow River.The band was so tight, the music so good,

and the crowd absolutely loved it.There was not one point in the two hour

set where it felt remotely like Cold Chisel was flogging a dead horse.

Not even during the massive Karaoke-fest that was Khe Sahn.

A “Best Of” Tour is always a risk - but there was no sense of a once great band, now tired and trying to rehash the past for a quick buck.

It was Rock n Roll at its best.If you missed your local concert - it would

be well worth getting on a plane and flying to another concert venue.

The tour continues until December 13.

R

Cold Chisel still got what it takes

124th EDITION. 2011


Serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

*Ingredients available from your local Asian grocer or in the Asian food aisle of the supermarket

Zest Eatery Open 4.00pm to 8.00pm daily

Chicken Yellow Bean and

Ginger Soup

COPPABELLA | DYSART | KAMBALDA | MIDDLEMOUNT | MORANBAH | NARRABRI | NEBO

1300 622 222themac.com.au

YOur healTh

For those too busy or embarrassed to ask the important questions about their healthEXPERT ADVICE

Tammy Farrell is a registered nurse, nutritionist and author of ‘The Real Man’s Toolbox – A DIY Health Manual for Men’. Tammy grew up in the Hunter Valley with two brothers in the local coal mines. In 2007, she started to give health talks in the Hunter, and that’s when she began compiling the book, helping hundreds of men answer questions about their bodies.

FACT FIlE:1. Prostate cancer is the most

common cancer in Aussie men2. Every year over 3000 men

die of prostate cancer - the same figure as the number of women who die from breast

3. Once in nine blokes will develop prostate cancer

4. The chances of getting prostate cancer increases with age

so what and where is your prostate?

This walnut-sized part of your reproductive system sits just below your bladder and has the amazing job of add-ing seminal fluid to your sperm to help keep it alive and improve its chances of reaching and fertilising an egg when you ejaculate!

Like many other parts of the body, there are plenty of things that can go wrong with the prostate – unfortunate-ly prostate cancer can rear its ugly head

with few or little symptoms.If you are experiencing these warning

signs go and get checked by your GP

• Problemsurinating–needingtopeefrequently, getting up in the night several times to pee, having difficulty starting to pee

• Painfulejaculationorurination• Decreasedsexdrive• Bloodinyoursemenorurine

The easiest way to keep the health of your prostate in check is with a quick trip to the docs for a PSA test (prick test - tak-ing blood from your finger) and a rectal examination.

Your GP will simply insert a gloved finger in your rectum to feel if your pros-tate is normal.

If there are any unusual lumps, your GP will organise for a blood test or biopsy.

A healthy diet and active lifestyle will also help keep your prostate in check.

Until next time, stay healthy, stay informed.References: Prostate Cancer Australia

It is that time of year again when the blokes get to grow, groom and preen their facial hair.

The 30-day hair fest is all about raising awareness and funds for two of the biggest health issues for men - prostate cancer and depression.

So let’s kick off the month of Movember with some basics on the ins and outs of prostate cancer.

Moranbah 07 4949 2000 Wendy Tieri 07 4981 7900 Nicolle Capella 07 4988 7600 Marelle Bowen 07 4786 0100 Rachael Mobile Banker 07 4944 4126/0417 792 736 Nick Dysart 07 4941 1100 Anne Mackay 07 4944 4100 Nina

Emerald 07 4980 6500 Boyd and Hayley Blackwater 07 4986 0400 Liza Biloela 07 4990 1100 Janet Monto 07 4166 9000 Rebecca Mackay West 07 4957 9300 Nenzi Mt Pleasant 07 4942 1955 Kellie Sarina 07 4964 8900 Val & Selina

124th EDITION. 2011


Caravan parks hot property across CQTHE resources boom has generated an unlikely windfall for caravan park opera-tors and owners across Queensland.

Once the home of grey nomads and travellers on a budget, caravan parks in mining towns and larger regional cities have become big business and the target for private equity firms looking to cash in on the accommodation shortage that have pushed up the value of every site.

Ryan Doughty from Queensland Tour-ism and Hospitality Brokers said any parks in mining centres are in demand from potential buyers.

In past months that has provided some staggering sale prices.

“It astounds a lot of people when you tell them the prices people are getting for parks,” he said.

One recent sale was for $16 million for a park in Emerald.

“People think you wouldn’t sell any prop-erty in Emerald for $16 million,” he said.

But those wanting to enter the mar-

ket have done the sums and realise $120 per basic room per night in a caravan park, even with food thrown in for the occupant, brings a handsome profit at the end of the week.

Mining has also ensured all available rooms are booked for months in advance in most centres.

Industry veteran Peter Mason brokers parks in Queensland and New South Wales and says he hasn’t seen such demand in the past 30 years.

He says that potential buyers are smart-er to buy existing parks and sites as they are already zoned for the use and have infrastructure in place.

Buying a greenfield site in some centres and then hoping to develop it and re-zone it was “iffy” he said and a lot more difficult.

Speed is also critical to providing of beds for workers and that has made devel-oping new sites a less attractive option to investors and resource companies.

Enquiry is definitely up, Mr Mason said,

and there is little likelihood it will wane.“The current conditions certainly have

people enquiring, particularly for sites that suit single mens’ quarters or have accom-modation in place like that,” he said.

He added that the demand for caravan sites by mine workers had also created a situation where travellers in Queensland and Western Australia were struggling to find space to stop overnight.

News

GOLD COAST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY!ESCAPE TO YOUR VERY OWN GOLD COAST RESORT STYLE APARTMENT

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“It astounds a lot of people when you tell them the prices people are getting for parks.”

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Big Sky Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 95 133 452 589) is a corporate authorised representative (CAR 331478) of Outlook Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 40 083 233 925 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 240959)

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We recently talked to Debra Christofis, a financial adviser with Big Sky Financial Solu-tions, about ways for people to build wealth.

Debra, not too many people have a bucket of money saved up somewhere just wait-ing to invest it. What can they do?

You don’t necessarily have to have saved a lot of money before investing. If you’ve built up some equity in your home, for example, you can borrow up to 80% of this amount to invest in an investment property or buy shares or managed investments.

The main thing is you need to be invest-ing for long term capital growth. It’s not a quick buck situation and it is not appropri-ate for everyone. Such a strategy needs to be planned carefully.

So people have to go into debt to make money in the longer term?

If they don’t have that bucket of money, yes this is a viable option. It’s important to understand there are two kinds of debt – we call them good debts and bad debts. A good debt is one where the loan interest is tax-deductible, like a loan to buy shares. A bad debt is a credit card, mortgage or a personal loan where you’re paying the interest back with after-tax money.

By the time you retire, you’ll want to have little or no debt, especially the bad kind. Before you get there you may be

able to use good debt to your advantage by growing your assets faster.

What if I’m just starting out and I don’t have any equity?

Another way to borrow for investment is through what’s called a margin loan. One type of margin loan that may work for first time investors looking to build up a portfolio is where you use some of your own savings in conjunction with borrow-ing money. Each month you contribute a set amount and borrow a set amount. The total amount is then used to buy a port-folio of shares or managed funds you’ve already selected.

This can be a great way to build wealth but it’s an area you should discuss with a financial adviser first as it does carry risks as well. Like any loan, you have to be able to repay it and that means coping with interest rate rises and any impacts on your cashflow.

If you thought building wealth was out of reach, you might want to think again. And you might want to talk to an adviser at Big Sky Financial Solutions too.

MONEY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Disclaimer: This communication contains general advice only and has not considered any particular person’s investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Accordingly, no recommendation (express or implied) or other information should be acted on without obtaining specific advice from a quali-fied professional. Big Sky Financial Solutions Pty Ltd (ABN 95 133 452 589) is a corporate authorised representative (CAR 331 478) of Outlook Financial Solutions Pty Ltd. (ABN 40 083 233 925 Australian Financial Services Licence Number 240 959). Lvl 7, 607 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 | Locked Bag 135 Heidelberg Vic 3084 | p 1300 700 189 | f 1300 657 879 | [email protected]

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Documents

SM124_Shift Miner Magazine