Surat Basin News August 2012

NEWSTHURSDAY 23 AUGUST 2012 32 PAGES $1.10 inc GST

Surat Basin• Frontage to Warrego

Highway• Within Dalby town

boundary• 18m² - (6m x 3m)• Medium & Long

Term Options

Billboard AdvertisingSpaces Available

Email: [email protected]

Page 44Salty solutions

Page 88Proposed windfarm

15Head to Head

INSIDE THIS EDITION

Surat Basin ExpoCHECK OUT OUR PICS FROM THE 2012 SURAT BASIN EXPO INSIDE

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 21 June 2012

SBNEWSDavid RichardsonGeneral ManagerLaurell IsonMedia Sales ManagerBeth WalkerGraphic Design

Jillian PoulsenSenior JournalistThe Surat Basin News willpublish every second month andwill be delivered via the threedominant newspapers of theregion: the Chinchilla News,Western Star and Dalby Herald.It will reach the homes and officesof almost 20,000 living, workingand playing in the Surat Basin,connecting the business andmining communities throughoutthe booming region.Plans are to make the newspapermore frequent as the developmentincreases.

Surat Basin News is not anecessity. It was born out of apassion for Australia's fastestgrowing communities — a passionfor a region of unbridled potentialand a future of vast economicgrowth and opportunities.Thenewspaper, professionally designedand regionally topical, will be amust read for anyone associatedwith the exciting Surat Basin.

Surat Basin News will allow localbusinesses to network andcommunicate with everyone in the300 sq km basin, providingunprecedented access to newclients and markets. It will give arevealing insight into majorindustry while lifting the veil oncurrent and proposeddevelopments.It will be there for each and everyannouncement shaping theregion's future while profiling thecolourful characters that defineour communities.With the Surat Basin regionreceiving national attention,Surat Basin News has goneonline to ensure our readers inevery corner of the country hasthe latest news sent directly tothem.View our previous editions on www.issuu.com/suratbasinnewsRegular updates onwww.suratbasin.com.au

The Team

inside this edition

Brandon & Associates ..................................23

Budden Contractors ......................................20

Chinchilla First National Real Estate ..........13

Chinchilla Fluid Power....................................23

Clearview Rise....................................................7

CMSD Hire ......................................................16

Coates Hire ........................................................3

Colliers International......................................15

Dalby Radiator ................................................15

Dalby Windscreens ........................................26

Downlands College ..........................................6

Downs Group Training ..................................11

Easternwell..............................................12 & 19

Extreme Diesel Services ..................................6

F K Gardner & Sons Pty Ltd ........................21

IOR Petroleum ................................................24

KJ'S Signs ..........................................................29

Lawrence & Hanson........................................24

Loughlin Crane Hire ......................................18

M & P Services (Qld) Pty Ltd ........................1

Magnetic Automation......................................32

Maguire Coaches and Travel ........................20

MI Helicopters ................................................25

Modular Queensland ......................................20

Murilla Community Centre ..........................29

Murray Purves Betta Electrical ....................26

NJ Contracting ................................................28

Pirtek Chinchilla ..............................................27

PS & R ................................................................26

Ray White ............................................................6

Ray White Roma..............................................27

Ray White Rural Chinchilla ..........................17

Rocla ..................................................................21

Roma Powdercoating......................................18

Seven Network ................................................24

Skyreach ..............................................................8

Speciality Services QLD ................................26

Supply Connections ........................................32

Surat Basin Industrial Park ............................10

The Spacer Company ....................................20

Tilly's Crawler Parts..........................................5

Toowoomba Truck Spares ............................14

Trades and Services ..............................30 & 31

Tresed Liquid Waste ......................................14

Wild Desert........................................................9

advertisers index

in theNews

"The RSPT (Resource Super Profits Tax) has created

significant uncertainty for the future of mining investment

into Australia and would impair the value of previously

approved projects and exploration to the point that

continued investment can no longer be justified,"

Xstrata Plc chief executive Mick Davis said after Xstrata

announced earlier this month suspending $586

million of expenditure.

down tobusiness

building theBasin Placesandfaces

pages 4-10

Apprentice helped through Origin’s Community SkillsScholarship program.Black Trucks officially opened in Roma.Europcar joins the growing list of businesses seizingopportunities in the Surat Basin.

Out and about at the 2012 Surat Basin Expo.Face to Face with Darren Holmes from Arrow Energy.Easternwell get ready to dig deep for the next round of theircommunity grants.Leanne Habgood’s inspiring quest to take on the Kokoda Trail.

What the WDRC have on the wishlist for their cut of theRoyalties to Regions funding program.Ostwald’s hat trick as employers of the year.Sunwater Kenya to Chinchilla Weir pipeline update.East Coat Pipeline wins massive project in the Basin.

pages 22-27 pages 28-32

pages 16-21Salt has become an unwanted by-product for CSG companies,but could it be a viable industry?Roma housing development looks to be back on solid ground.Farmers still question Arrow’s promises.Looking at the impacts of CSG with a sociological perspective.

Surat BasinNEWSOur unique position within the major centres of the Surat Basin allows thisnewspaper to supply relevant and required information to our local communities.This newspapers is staffed and driven by passionate locals who have an investmentnot only in their communities but also the people that reside in them. To gain afoothold in the Surat Basin talk to the people who will work as hard for yourbusiness as you do.

Utilise our local knowledge to help you succeed in the Surat Basin Start now phone Laurell or David 4662 7368

Next Issue will be available

25 October 2012Double your profile and buildyour exposure in the unique

Surat Basin

Phone Laurell07 4662 7368

and start building your business

www.issuu.com/suratbasinnews

Published by Chinchilla Newspapers Pty Ltd, Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413, Printed by APN Print Toowoomba, Industrial Avenue Toowoomba

General Manager - David Richardson, 12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413, PO Box 138 Chinchilla Q4413

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 23 August 2012 PAGE 3

this WEEK

With more than 1.5 million items of equipment, over 200 branches nationwide and a network of branches in the Surat Basin, Coates Hire have got you covered. Talk to the experts at Coates Hire, we’ve got loads of experience and will make sure you get the right advice and right gear for your project.

coateshire.com.au

LOCAL EXPERTS.LOADS OF EQUIPMENT.

"Once fully operational, the plant willbe our largest producer ofpolyethylene piping."Toowoomba was the best location byfar given its proximity to our majormarkets," he said.Toowoomba Regional Council MayorPaul Antonio said that Toowoomba waswell and truly open for business."It is really the tip of the iceberg inwhat we can expect at the CharltonWellcamp site," Cr. Antonio said.

"This is very positive news not only forToowoomba but the whole region."It really goes to show thatToowoomba is now open for businessto the world."

plex Pipelines can layclaim to being one ofthe first companiesto open their doors

for business at theCharlton WellcampEnterprise estate.

The $28 million state-of-the-art plant,which produces polyethylene pipingto the mining, energy and irrigationsectors, was officially opened onThursday by Deputy Premier JeffSeeney.Currently the plant is running at 25per cent capacity, however, it will befully operational by the end of nextmonth.The plant will employ more than 50local workers.Polyethylene piping manufactured inToowoomba has already been used inmajor projects across the countryincluding the Santos and QGCpipelines to Curtis Island.Iplex Pipelines general manager KevinKellow said Toowoomba was the mostlogical location to set up the business."Everyone we have dealt with hasbeen extremely supportive andwelcoming," Mr Kellow said.

I

I P L E X P I P E L I N E S G E N E R A L M A N AG E R K E V I N

K E L L OW S A I D TO OWO O M B A WA S T H E

M O S T L O G I C A L L O C AT I O N TO S E T U P T H E

B U S I N E S S

BIG THINGS: Shane Follas,Sheryn Atkins and AnthonyMorgan check wall thicknessof pipe at the Iplex Pipelines'new Toowoombamanufacturing plant openingat the Witmack Industry Park,Charlton. Photo Kevin Farmer/ The Chronicle

Big things in the pipeline

Surat Basin NEWS Thursday 23 August 2012

page 5 page 7Santos still waiting

page 6Farmers reaction to Arrow

in theOrigin’s SIMP approved

Salt the unwanted by-product of the csg industry

alt; the unwanted by-product ofthe CSG industry, and a headachefor both landholders and theresource companies. Now it isbeing earmarked for commercial

sale.It may be some time off, but plans are in thepipeline, literally, for CSG waste water to beturned into a viable industry.The state government recently passedlegislation allowing transport of CSG wastewater off site to a centralised processingfacility.It is a move supported by both the WDRCmayor Ray Brown and Gas FieldCommissioner John Cotter.Arrow Energy has announced it is in talkswith two other major gas companies about ashared, centralised processing plant forextracting salt from wastewater.The salt would be used for products such aspaint, aluminium, soda ash and bicarbonate ofsoda.The industry has started trials to prove theviability of salt extraction. Current saltproduced from csg is allocated to landfill.WDRC mayor Ray Brown said commercialsalt was something he had been pushing forfive years."It's value adding, you're actually going tocreate another industry to use that salt which

means you're not mobilising it in our ownenvironment," Cr Brown said.General Manager of the Gas CommissionAndrew Brier said the commission wassupportive of the idea."It's just common sense and efficiency," MrBrier said."The salt will be produced anyway so havingit as single facility will reduce road transportin the area."Most people I've talked to understand theimpact on landholders will decrease."Mr Brier said while there are no provisions in thelegislation for transport or commercial saltproduction contracts to go to local companies, itwould be something the commission wouldencourage.While the government is remaining cageyabout the location of a desalination plant it islikely the high concentration of CSG on theWestern Downs would necessitate onenearby.Waste water would then be piped to theplant through new infrastructure rather thantreated at multiple plants.The Gas Field Commission has emphasised itswish to engage with the community on theissue, which it will be doing over comingmonths when John Cotter and Andrew Briervisit Dalby.

" T H E S A L T W I L LB E P R O D U C E D

A N Y W A Y S OH A V I N G I T A S

S I N G L EF A C I L I T Y W I L LR E D U C E R O A D

T R A N S P O R T I NT H E A R E A

S


page 8Proposed windfarm

page 9TSBE’s latest event

NEWS

he first meetings of theState's regional planningcommittees met in Dalby inlast month.In Queensland Parliament,

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said theplans would address the skirmishesbetween industrial and agriculturalinterests.Mr Seeney said the committee willmake sure the views of both local andwider groups are considered in itswork."This committee will oversee the

regional planning process and increaseunderstanding within the communityof the Central Queensland RegionalPlan," Mr Seeney said.

"Communities will be represented bytheir mayors who will put forward theviews of their local regions during theprocess. Industry representatives willalso have a voice at the table."One of the most concrete things tocome out of the meetings was theannouncement by Deputy Premier JeffSeeney that land boundaries will beestablished governing where miningand energy companies can operateand where they cannot.Mr Seeney said including land usemapping in the statutory regional planwould help resolve conflict betweenlandholders and the agricultural andresources sectors."Central Queensland has diverse

agricultural assets and an abundance ofresource deposits," he said."This plan will ensure the region growsin a managed and sustainable way andwill let us deal with urban expansion,the timing and sequencing ofinfrastructure and enhancingagricultural, resource and tourismopportunities while ensuringmanagement of environmental impacts."The Darling Downs Regional DownsPlanning Committee is made up of 21members comprising mayors, sittingmembers and community and industryrepresentatives who will meetthroughout the regional planpreparation process, which is expectedto be finalised in August 2013.

MARANOA Regionalcouncil mayorRobert Loughnansaid the the future ofthe airportdevelopment islooking muchbrighter.Last month themayor said the futureof the developmentwas "shaky" as notenough companieshad put up theirhands to take overthe commercial sideof the development.But Cr Loughnansaid since then talkshad been lookingpositive."We've signed aheads agreement soit's one step closerto taking it in theright direction," hesaid.Cr Loughnan saidabout six or eightweeks ago it didn'tsound too positivebut since then theyhave had moreinterest fromsecondarycompanies."They're getting uptowards the numbersbut still not enough

to give a concreteguarantee," he said.If it goes ahead theAirport would injectabout 300 newdwellings intoRoma's rentalmarket, as well as250 dwellings forcommercial tenants.Cr Loughnan saidwhether or not thedevelopment wentahead the councilwas also consideringother affordablehousing options."One I'm reallyexcited about is whatwe've been lookingat - trying to take upsome (state)government land sowe can develop thatat cost, preferablyusing localdevelopers who candevelop in smallnumbers," he said.

Devlopment’sfuture much

brighter

Regional plans on the way

T


in the NEWS

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Minimisingthe impact

armers remain scepticalabout a commitmentfrom Arrow Energy tominimise its impact oncropping land on the

Darling Downs.The mining giant has announced aplan to reduce its footprint to 2 percent of intensively farmed land.It also assured landholders nomajor infrastructure would be builton farmland and any wells would beput on the edge of paddocks.Cecil Plains cotton grower StuartArmitage said farmers were takingthe pledge with a grain of salt."You've got to consider that therewill have to be roads to every oneof those wells, they'll be joined bypower lines and water and gaspipes," he said."But the big impact is on ouralluvial water."We're saying while there is anyimpact on our water, they're notcoming."

F

Locals get bird’s eye view ofWandoan’s changing landscape

SKY HIGH: A bird's eyeview of Wandoan.Theguided helicopter tourswere chartered by PropertyRights Australia andCreevey Russell Lawyers.

oncerned citizens fromBrisbane, Lismore and theWestern Downs gathered inWandoan on Mondayafternoon to show their

support for local farmers facing theinflux of CSG and coal-miningoperations, and to listen topresentations.A helicopter was chartered by PropertyRights Australia and Russell CreeveyLawyers to take people above Wandoanto give them a birds-eye view the extentof industrial activities in the area, suchas cleared drill sites on the Greenacresgasfield.The helicopter tours were followed by apublic forum at the WandoanCommunity Centre where authorSharyn Munro,Wambo Feedlot ownerMax Winders and solicitor Tom Marlandgave presentations about theirexperiences dealing with the issues ofgas and coal production.

Sharyn Munro's new book 'Rich Land,Wasteland' details her travels aroundAustralia in 2010 to tell the stories oflandowners and farmers and thesocial, environmental and legalproblems they suffer because of coaland gas production, and includes achapter on Wandoan and Warra.Sharyn lives in the Upper Hunter inNSW, where she found the inspirationto write about problems with coal andgas."It began with what I saw happeningin the Hunter Valley from coal andcoal power, and I wanted to see if itwas as out of control elsewhere, this

was long before 'Lock the Gate'," shesaid."The farmers of the Liverpool Plainsdid a 615 day blockade to stop thecoal industry there, and BHP still hasnot been able to explore on thoseblack soil plains."Mrs Munro said she drove over 10,000kilometres around Australia in 2010 toconduct interviews and research aboutthe impact of coal mining and CSGproduction."Bringing the mining laws back into

balance with other money-makingbusinesses is what has to happen."

C

A helicopter was chartered A helicop-ter was chartere A helicopter was

chartere A helicopter was chartere Ahelicopter was charteredA helicopterwas chartered A helicopter was char-tere A helicopter was chartere A heli-


in the NEWS

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he QueenslandGovernment iscurrently reviewingresponses to ArrowEnergy's

Environmental ImpactStatement for the Surat GasProject.Arrow lodged their draftproposal for the EIS inDecember last year, and the EISwas released for public viewingin March this year.An Arrow Energy spokespersonsaid the length of time thesubmissions review would takewas up the QueenslandGovernment.The deadline for responses tothe EIS closed in mid-June.TheWestern Downs RegionalCouncil was among communitygroups, individuals andlandholders in lodging aresponse.The Surat Gas Project isproposed to have 7500 gaswells in an area extended fromWandoan to Dalby and downto Goondiwindi, taking in Milesand Chinchilla.It will be Arrow Energy'slargest exploration andproduction project in the SuratBasin.

T

I N B R I E F

Arrow Santos sweating on Fedsn July, the Queensland Governmentapproved the pipeline for the $18.5billion GLNG project as an"infrastructure facility of significance"but now needs Federal Environment

Minister Tony Burke to give his stamp ofapproval.The 420km underground pipeline willrequire a 40m-wide corridor through 177properties to transport CSG from the SuratBasin to the LNG facility on Gladstone'sCurtis Island.Santos EQ General Manager Sam Klaas toldthe June meeting of the Joint MaranoaRegional Community ConsultativeCommittee they were now waiting for theFeds before pipeline laying could commence.The Queensland approval allows forcompulsory acquisition if negotiationsbetween Santos GLNG and landholdersbreak down.Despite the outstanding Federal signoff MrKlaas said there was plenty of activity in theregion."In particular around the Roma and Fairviewareas where our new hub locations are beingbuilt on Dawson's Bend Road and theFairview Road in Fairview, and The BendRoad in Roma," Mr Klaas said."We now have around 850 people workingin the region and this is expected to rise tomore than 1200 by the end of this monthand continue to build to approximately 2000people by the end of this year.

"We are building camps to house ourworkforce to ensure we do not place furtherpressure on the local housing market."Mr Klaas said SANTOS GLNG had startedclearing and grading work in the ArcadiaValley along the underground gastransmission route with digging and buryingof the pipeline due to commence in aroundsix weeks' time."Work continues to prepare hub locationswith progress starting on piling andfoundation work at our hub on Dawson'sBend Road," he said."We are continuing to truck equipment tohub locations including gas turbines, gastransmission compressors and pipe.”Meanwhile Deputy Premier and Minister forState Development, Infrastructure andPlanning Jeff Seeney said Santos GLNG's new$12m Operations Centre in Brisbane was anexample of world's best practice technologywhich resource companies were unveiling inQueensland.The centre can monitor andcontrol the production from Santos-GLNG'sextensive Queensland gasfields, its pipelinenetwork to Gladstone and the productionfacilities on Curtis Island, Gladstone, as theycome online. It does so in real time, 24hours a day, seven days a week."Being able to start-up and shutdownequipment in the gas fields and acrossSantos-GLNG operations will allow earlydetection of potential problems and providequick responses," Mr Seeney said.

SANTOS GLNG isstill awaiting FederalGovernment approvalbefore construction ofthe 420km pipelinecan start

I


in the NEWS

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ilkie Creek coal mine remains for sale, after beingplaced on the market last year.A spokesperson for Peabody Energy, who owns themine, said the company was still progressing withthe sale, as well as an expansion to extend the life

of the mine.She said Peabody had been keeping their workforce informed onhow it was progressing and what they could expect going forward.In April this year, it was reported that Thai company PTT wasconsidering an offer, but the sale did not take place.Wilkie Creek is located slightly west of Dalby, near the smalltownship of Macalister.The mine produces over 2 million tons of thermal coal each year,which Peabody said is "low sulphur, low nitrogen (and) loweremissions".

For saleW

oopers Gap Wind Farm,proposed by energycompany AGL, wouldinvolve around 115 windturbines on 11 cattle

grazing and other farmingproperties near Cooranga North.AGL said the project, which wouldhave an installed capacity of350MW, would create 200 jobsduring construction.An AGL spokesperson said lastweek that a communityconsultation group had beenestablished to address landholderconcerns."AGL's proposed Coopers GapWind Farm project is progressingthrough the planning and approvalsphase," the spokesperson said."AGL is seeking to engage with thecommunity and has established aCommunity ConsultativeCommittee (CCC)."The CCC members represent across section of the Coopers Gap

surrounding community, and meeteach month to discuss the projectwith senior project employees fromAGL with the meeting being chairedby a facilitator."The spokesperson said that theCCC had asked AGL to addresssound, or acoustic concernssurrounding the project."At the community's request, thelast CCC meeting focused on AGL'sacoustic consultant presenting theDraft Updated Acoustic Report.Thenext CCC will continue to addressacoustics, as well as health and windfarms. "AGL is pleased with thedevelopment of the CCC and itsability to provide a robustframework to discuss thecommunity's issues around theproposed Coopers Gap Wind Farmproject."The area is one of thestrongest wind resource areas inQueensland.The 350MW capacitywould be enough to power 150,000average homes.

A proposed wind farmbetween Dalby and Kingaroyis slowly moving through the approvals phase

Soundingboardstarted

"AGL'S PROPOSED COOPERS GAP WINDFARM PROJECT IS PROGRESSING THROUGH

THE PLANNING AND APPROVALS PHASE,"THE SPOKESPERSON SAID

C


in the NEWS

BY NAME, SAFE BY NATURE

ooking at developments in theSurat Basin from a sociologicalperspective is unusual but that iswhat Brisbane academic Dr MarkBahnisch has done.

Dr Bahnisch is a sociologist and director ofFAQ Research which stands for Fact andAnalysis Questions.FAQ Research is intended to be the outputof a collective of writers and researchers oncontentious issues and its first project incollaboration with online news outletcrikey.com.au examined all aspects of the

CSG issue in the lead up to the Queenslandstate election on March 24.Dr Bahnisch said the project aimed todemystify conflicting claims of stakeholders inthe $45 billion industry, and to hold politicaldebate to account against fact and reason.The project focussed on the Dalby, Chinchillaand Tara triangle and interviewed a number ofpoliticians including Western Downs MayorRay Brown, Lock the Gate president DrewHutton, Bob Katter, Greens senator LarissaWaters and former Labor State MP KerryShine.

All requests for interviews with the LNPwere turned down.The project also interviewed graziers such asIan Hallyor (now a Gasfields Commissioner),Megan Baker and Ruth Armstrong and Tararesidents as well as Indigenous communitymembers.Dr Bahnisch said they heard a constant tale ofrising rents unaccompanied by rising wages orpensions and benefits for long term residents."While Dalby isn't "fly in, fly out" likeGladstone, it's "drive in, drive out" as manycontractors spend only a few nights a weekworking in the district, returning to Brisbanefor the weekends," Dr Bahnisch said."It's much harder to get a motel room onMonday than Friday night, and the price youpay for a small room is higher than for a

townhouse style unit in Toowoomba."Dr Bahnisch said the promise of riches tocome conjured up a boom town mentality insome quarters."There is informal sex work going on incaravans, targeting visiting workers," he said."Meanwhile, publicans wait thirstily forThursday night when some of the wagesearned during the week pours across theirbars. But most of it goes back home toBrisbane."Dr Bahnisch said it was different from NorthWest Queensland where once intense miningcommunities were now ghost towns."Nobody wants that for the towns of theWestern Downs," he said."But its spectre haunts their future, anddetermines their present."

The boom town mentality L

THE Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) will be holding an EnterpriseEvening on August 29 in Chinchilla.The evening will be sponsored by Rocla and feature speakers from QGC and theirtier one contractor Thiess.The evening will include presentations by QGC's Local Content Manager, JohnAbraham and Thiess led by their Contracts Manager, Luther Jeyasingham, as theydiscuss QGC's Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG) Project and highlight supplychain opportunities within their Surat Basin operations.As a special extension of the Enterprise Evening,TSBE has organised with QGC totake any interested individuals on a tour of their operations in the area.The tour includes a field compressor station, central processing plant, a worker'scamp, water treatment plant and more.Those interested in attending the event canregister their interest via email to [email protected] or call 07 4639 4600.

Enterprise evening


SBNEWS12 Mayne StreetChinchilla, QLD 4413PO Box 138, Chinchilla, 4413Phone: 4662 7368General Manager: David RichardsonAdvertising: Laurell IsonEditorial: Jill Poulsen

EditorialTHE plentiful supply of riches here in theSurat Basin has made a tidy little profit forthe Queensland Treasury.According to Federal Member for Maranoa,Bruce Scott, the Surat Basin alone willcontribute approximately $800 million perannum in royalties to the state.APPEA said that CSG industry in QLDalone, contributes approximately $850million in royalties to the treasury.The State government has committed justunder $500 million to the Royalties to theRegional program, to be shared amongst 14regional councils, over four years.If it were to be split fairly amongst all 14councils it would equate to just over $71million over four years or just $18 million ayear across the Surat Basin, which is notmuch when it comes to improving thelivability of our towns.It does not take a mathematician to workout who is getting the short end of thestick.While we applaud the NewmanGovernment for implementing a longoverdue program we must see the fundingextended.

What do you think? Drop us a line [email protected]

Avoid FIFO mentality Visits aplenty

opinions

Bruce ScottFederal Member for Maranoa

CouncilHoward Hobbs,Member for Warrego

QLD well endowed Leading role

Michael Roche, CEOQueensland Resources

Ray Brown, MayorWesternDowns Regional Council

here has been obvious market failure in someregional areas where there is just not enough landavailable for development, which has led to a lackof affordable housing.The biggest impact the Government can have in

terms of fixing the problem is to increase land supply to thegeneral market, and that's just what we're doing.The DeputyPremier and I recently announced that land held by the UrbanLand Development Authority will be fast tracked for housingdevelopment, including land in the Surat Basin. Mr Seeney'sdepartment is also going to work together with the WesternDowns and Maranoa Regional Councils to find projects thatthey can fast track to bring more housing on line.Of course there are other issues which affect housing suppliesand we are going to work with local councils to identify

roadblocks and find solutions to those problems.This mayinvolve identifying 'lazy' government land which could be usedto increase housing supply.The Government will also workwith the private sector to meet land supply demand in somecommunities.A series of workshops to nut out local solutions will be held

in 11 communities, startinglater this month.They willgive us a chance to talk topeople on the ground whoknow the issues and alsothe potential opportunities.The workshops will be thefoundation to developing a Resource and Regional TownAction Plan which will be ready for the government to look atby the end of the year. Dalby will host the first meeting onAugust 29, and others will be held in Roma and Toowoomba incoming weeks.On a separate note, our proposed Floodplain Security Schemecould save local Councils millions of dollars following floods.The Government has put forward a plan where a $100 million

fund would be created so large parts of the State can beflood-proofed.Specifically, the Queensland Government would commit$40 million over the next four years to deliver acomprehensive planned program of flood mitigationactivities, which would be complemented by $40 millionfrom the Commonwealth and $20 million from localauthorities around the State.There's no doubt that upfront investment in floodproofingworks will provide long term savings to all levels ofgovernment and the community, as well as give moreconfidence to the insurance sector.The QueenslandGovernment has already written to the Federal Ministerfor Emergency Management Nicola Roxon seeking theirsupport for the scheme.

COMMENT

Campbell NewmanPremier of Queensland

The government is acting swiftly to fix housing supplyproblems in our resource areas, including the Surat Basin

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opinionsCOMMENT

Michael RocheChief ExecutiveQueensland ResourcesCouncilThe biggest slice of pie

ueensland is endowed with arich inventory of mineral andenergy resources in closeproximity to the world's mostrapidly expanding economies.

Yet as we see events over which we havelimited influence as global price-takersunfold, we are reminded that nothing canbe taken for granted if Queensland wantsto maintain its position as a minerals andenergy supplier of choice.As Deloitte Access Economics DirectorChris Richardson notes: 'Queensland haswhat the world wants to buy'.However, so do established competitorssuch as Canada, USA, Indonesia and SouthAfrica alongside emerging resourceprovinces like Mozambique, Mongolia andRussia.As highlighted in the June quarterQRC State of the Sector report, risingcosts and lower commodity prices pose anenormous challenge to the competitivenessof current operations, and the developmentof new projects.

A report by respected economic analystsPort Jackson Partners has fleshed out keycomponents on the cost side including:

> higher taxes with the MineralResource Rent Tax and carbon taxprominent (and from a Queenslandperspective, the spectre of royaltyincreases in the September budget)

> unnecessary and poorly-designedregulation

> declining productivity> increasing labour, energy and

transport costs> the higher Australian dollar and> a compositional shift towards lower

commodity grades.

Their work notes that a significantlygreater percentage of Queensland thermaland metallurgical coal mines and copperoperations are now in the upper echelonsof cost.In the past, high commodity prices havecontributed to more than half of Australia'sminerals revenue growth.With prices for most commoditiesexpected to have peaked for now, revenuegrowth and required rates of return willneed to come from volume led growththrough new mine, rail and port capacity.However, rising costs to install new

capacity will mean that new projects areless competitive.It's estimated that more than twice asmuch capital is required to build one tonneof new capacity than it did five years ago.On the upside, Port Jackson Partners saythat with change,Australia can capture theopportunities from sustained globaldemand for resources, continue to attractinvestment and get more projects over theline.To do so, they have somestraightforward recommendations forindustry and governments.Industry needs to openly disclose themagnitude of the costs risks to the currentpipeline of projects and continue tohighlight its socio-economic contributionto the community to encourage policyreform.The recommended agenda forgovernments is a lengthy one, starting withthe easing of exchange rate pressures byconsidering a sovereign wealth fund,meaningful state and federal governmentsurpluses and resolving infrastructurebottlenecks.Labour and skills shortages should beaddressed by focusing industrial relationsregulations on pay and work practices andincreasing internal mobility and skilledmigration.Reviving the national productivity agendawould be greatly assisted by refocusing IRpractices on ongoing productivity gains,better matching education and skillstraining, fostering innovation clusters andincentivizing research and development.Finally, sovereign risk concerns could beeliminated by providing stable, predictableand internationally competitive taxationand royalty regimes and throughstreamlining and simplifying red-tape.The opportunity for Queensland tounderwrite its economic security withprogressive policies is real.Let us not forget that Japan's post-war risewas built on Queensland coal used to buildand power its factories. Japan today has apopulation of 126 million people.Continental Asia is home to almost fourbillion people or 60 per cent of the world'spopulation. India and China are looking tosecure for their 2.6 billion citizens thenecessities of life that we have taken forgranted for 50 years.What has taken the 'west' to achieve over

centuries,Asia wants in decades.As Australia's AngloGold Ashanti boss MarkCutifani calculated recently, the globalmining industry drives more than 45 percent of the world's gross domesticproduct.This occurs either directly or through theuse of products that facilitate otherindustries, including the downstreamimpacts of fertilisers for agriculture, fuel for

transport and materials for construction.Another interesting conclusion is that theworld would need to dedicate twice theamount of land to agricultural activities ifnot for mining's contribution toproductivity.Australia's advanced mechanisation andfarm management techniques produceenough food for 60 million people.In other parts of the world whereagricultural production relies on humanand animal labour, the threat of goingwithout enough food is ever-present.In some quarters mining continues to becharacterised by industry opponents as 'all-consuming'.Globally, less than one per cent of theearth's surface is dedicated to mining,which also consumes less than one percent of the world's water.In Queensland mining disturbs 0.09 percent of the state's land mass and consumesaround five per cent of the state'sregulated water.In return, the industry contributes 61 percent of Sunwater's total revenue base,produces commodities worth $40 billionlast year, generates directly and indirectlyone in every five dollars in the state andone in every eight jobs.Mining is also accused of being a hangoverfrom last century, best consigned to thehistory books and tourist walks.What should be obvious is that while oil,gas, coal and uranium energise the modernworld, even the 'smartest' gadgets areunable to function without copper, silver,gold, palladium, platinum, ceramics, andtitanium dioxide.

The average car contains one tonne of ironand steel, 100 kilograms of aluminium and19 kilograms of copper.The more environmentally-friendly hybridvehicle requires double the copper -roughly 34 kilograms.The modern compact energy-efficientfluorescent light bulb needs bauxite, lead,copper, limestone, nickel and phosphorous.Toothpaste contains silica, limestone,

aluminium, phosphate, fluoride andtitanium.The point is that the world willnever stop mining and the minerals ingreatest global demand are coal, copperand iron-ore - all of which are mined herein Queensland.By these measures alone there is comfortin saying that Queensland has a goldenfuture ahead if continues to encourage andsupport its minerals and energy sector.We are entering one of the most significantperiods of economic opportunity in ourhistory. We must look beyond currentprices that are a product of a globaleconomic slowdown over which neitherwe nor our major customers have control.As the state government prepares todeliver a 'horror' budget in September,revenue is top of mind and as we've seenwith the federal government's MRRT andcarbon tax, there's no more popular milchcow in Australia than the resources sector.Sadly, public awareness of the contributionof mining to Australia has beenovershadowed by debate focused onwealthy individuals with, in some cases,tenuous links to the industry.In framing his first budget, two things wehope Queensland Treasurer Tim Nichollswill bear in mind are the aboverecommendations from Port JacksonPartners and the message that the biggerthe resources pie, the bigger slice for thestate in royalties, particularly as they aregeared to the selling price.Increasing the government's rent from ashrinking cash pool is a short-termtemptation should be resisted in favour ofnew investment and long-term growth.

S a d l y, p u b l i c aw a re n e s s o f t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n o fm i n i n g t o A u s t r a l i a h a s b e e n o ve r s h a d o we d b yd e b a t e f o c u s e d o n we a l t hy i n d i v i d u a l s w i t h , i n

s o m e c a s e s , t e n u o u s l i n k s t o t h e i n d u s t r y.

Q


opinions

It certainly has been a busy time across theElectorate and with Ministerial visits.So far Minister for Health, Hon LawrenceSpringborg MP has visited Roma to open theCommunity and Allied Health precinct at theRoma Hospital. Minister for Natural Resourcesand Mines, Hon Andrew Cripps MP has visitedthe Santos gas fields to the north of Roma andother fields at Miles and Chinchilla and met withindustry stakeholders along the way.Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries andForestry Hon John McVeigh has been toCharleville and addressed some of thebureaucratic issues hampering the effectivecontrol of wild dogs.Although not in myElectorate Mr McVeigh hasalso recently visited Tamboand spoken to landholdersabout wild dog issues.The Premier HonCampbell Newman hasvisited Meandarra andCunnamulla - The Premier wanted to go tosome of the smaller communities who don't getmuch attention from Ministerial visits - so whenthe call came I was very happy to assist him withthe visit to Warrego. I'm also informed that hewill be back for some more visits to the smallercommunities who are not as accessible as thelarger communities in the electorate.Minister for Education,Training and EmploymentHon John Paul Langbroek has visited Tara ShireState School for the Centenary of the schooland top marks to Mr Langbroek for driving outto Tara on our roads.Recently Minister for Local Government HonDavid Crisafulli has visited all the Councils in theWarrego Electorate and he also has taken thetime to drive to each Council on our roads. MrCrisafulli visit included the Western DownsRegional, Balonne, Paroo, Bulloo, Quilpie,Murweh and Maranoa Regional Councils.Minister for Environment and HeritageProtection Hon Andrew Powell is on his secondvisit and has been talking to landowners from

Roma and Dalby and gas companies across theWarrego Electorate. Mr Powell has also taken adrive along the Warrego Highway from Romaback to Brisbane.Assistant Minister for Natural Resources andMines Lisa France is also on her second visit tothe Warrego Electorate and again is busy tolandowners and looking at gas fielddevelopments.This is a summary of the visits that haveoccurred since June, and I intend to keepMinisters and Assistant Ministers coming to theWarrego Electorate at every opportunity.I'm also pleased to advise that the newly

appointed Gas FieldsCommission is alsointending to visit locationsand communities in theWarrego Electorate. MrJohn Cotter has writtento me advising that he willbe doing visits to theregion.

I would encourage anyone who has a problemwith current legislation and regulations for coalmines or gas fields to contact the GasfieldsCommission at the following address Email to:[email protected] or Mail to MrJohn Cotter, Chairman, Queensland GasFieldsCommission, PO Box 102,Toowoomba, 4350,Queensland should they wish to request a visitfrom the Commission.Also keep an eye out for the Royalties for theRegions initiative which opens for applications inSeptember 2012.

Bruce Booth

Principal

0427 669 123

Trina Martin

Sales Consultant

0422 769 194

Angie Willoughby

Sales Consultant

0438 981 947

ChinchillaPeter Etheridge

Sales Consultant

0427 640 423

Phone 07 4669 [email protected] Glasson Street Chinchilla Qld 4413

Sales . Rentals . Commercial . Residential . Industrial

owns in theelectorate are homesnot holes in theground and a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) mining

mentality should be resisted.I was troubled by recent reportsthat cities like Toowoomba andthe Gold Coast were beingtouted as FIFO hubs.Towns in the Surat Basin will notbe sucked dry and left skeletalwhile cities gorge the profitschannelled by the resourceindustry.My state colleagues and I havechampioned the Royalties for theRegions program for many yearsand now it will deliver fundsback to the communitiesresponsible for the mining boom.The Royalties for the Regionsprogram will deliver $495million, invested over four years,to communities impacted by theresource sector.I urge local councils in theMaranoa electorate to apply forthis funding.The expansion ofcoal seam gas and other miningoperations has fuelled rapidpopulation growth in the region.Housing and infrastructuredevelopment has created newjobs and opportunities but hasalso presented many newchallenges for our communities.With the continued growth ofthe resource sector, it isimportant to promote ourregion’s liveable country towns –not a blurred dot viewed fromthe window of an aeroplane.

A town’s community culture andlifestyle is imperative to attractfamilies to settle in the regionand I discourage a FIFOmentality.During a recent discussion withthe Queensland Council ofParents and Citizens’Association, I was told parentsand teachers notice a differencein a child’s behaviour when aparent is away working theirFIFO shift.A disjointed workschedule erodes family life andlimits a person’s time to engagewith the community.Families are the building blocksof our communities and, as theresource sector expands, weneed to grow our regionaleconomies by enticing families tolive here – a thriving place to callhome. Liveability, health,education, sporting and culturalfacilities as well as road andtransport connections are veryreal issues and these issues canbe addressed under the Royaltiesfor the Regions program.I am absolutely passionate aboutgrowing our regional towns andbringing the resource sector’swealth back into thecommunities.

COMMENT

Bruce Scott MPFederal Member forMaranoa

A D I S J O I N T E DWO R K S C H E D U L E

E RO D E S FA M I LYL I F E A N D L I M I T S AP E R S O N ’ S T I M E TO

E N G AG E W I T H T H EC O M M U N I T Y

T

Fly-in-fly-outMENTALITY SHOULD BE RESISTED

COMMENT

Howard Hobbs MPMember for WarregoShadow Minister forLocal Government andATSI Partnerships

Welcome to this edition of the Surat Basin News

Visitors alwayswelcome in Warrego

This i s a summary of thev is i ts that have occurred

s ince June , and I intend tokeep Ministers and

Ass istant Min isters comingto the Warrego E lectorate

at ever y oppor tunity.


opinions

feel privileged to beappointed as acommissionerrepresenting the portfolioof Local Government and

Infrastructure on the newGasFields CommissionQueensland set up by the StateGovernment to drive the futuredirection and co-existencebetween the Coal Seam Gasindustry, regional communitiesand the agricultural sector.Each of the six commissioners,based on our expertise, wasappointed to key portfoliosincluding land access, water, gasindustry development, localgovernment and infrastructure,science and research, andbusiness and community impact.The Commission will give localcommunities a more direct sayon the development of theonshore gas industry in theWestern Downs, Surat Basin andthroughout Queensland.TheCommission will have a leadingrole in influencing legislation tobe passed through StateParliament regulating thisindustry throughout the state.The State Government recentlyannounced an opportunity existsto value add and create a newsalt industry through thecentralisation of brine water.Thisproposed new industry has beena major concern of residents andthe Western Downs RegionalCouncil, particularly its potentialimpact on the local environment.Western Downs RegionalCouncil strongly opposes theburying of salt waste in locallandfill.The Western Downs

should never ever become adumping ground for coal seamgas companies' waste, whenthere is technology available toprocess it into by-products.However, I would like toacknowledge the vision of theState Government, particularlythe direction in which they arenow heading as this process willproduce a beneficial use for thesalt.The technology that isavailable should be used tochemically process the waste tocreate useable and saleable saltproducts.This would be a muchbetter option than contaminatingland sites in the region and is apositive step forward in achieving

a win-win outcome for the localenvironment and the region.There have been a number ofenvironmental impact studiesrecently released across theregion from the energy sector,currently available for publicexamination. I encourageresidents during this period totake advantage of theopportunity to view thesedocuments and provide theirfeedback into how thesecompanies should operate intheir community. I urge residentsto also review the Social ImpactManagement Plans (SIMPS) thatthese companies will have tosubmit to the State Government,

as these are crucial tools indeveloping what socialinfrastructure is required inresponse to the impacts they areinflicting on our communities.In a major groundbreakinginitiative to help provideaffordable housing stress reliefacross the region,WesternDowns Regional Councilrecently launched the WesternDowns Housing Trust to assist inthe implementation of theWestern Downs HousingStrategy, which was adoptedearlier this year.The Trust is anindependent business entityestablished as part of thisstrategy to deliver affordable

housing into our communitiesthat are experiencing massiveimpact from resourcedevelopment. Council would liketo sincerely thank QGC for thesubstantial financial donation itcontributed to the Fund, whichreaffirms the company'scommitment to helping buildmore livable communities in theregion.Western Downs RegionalCouncil is also working withother resource proponentsacross the region to lendsignificant financial support tohelp alleviate housing andlifestyle issues in the region.Theformula and methodology thatWestern Downs RegionalCouncil has identified will be agreat tool not only for ourregion but also for the StateGovernment's Coordinator-General in identifying theimpacts from all developments inthe region. So far this year, theoutlook for the region has beenextremely positive, particularly inour agricultural sector as ourregion is experiencing its bestwinter cereal outlook in recenttime. Let's hope there areprosperous times ahead.The challenges for the WesternDowns and Surat Basin Regionsare many but the opportunitieswill be far greater throughefforts by the GasFieldsCommission Queensland tobridge the divide between theresources sector and theagricultural sector, embracing thedifferences and together buildingsustainable and prosperous localcommunities.

COMMENT

Cr Ray BrownMayor, Western DownsRegional Council

I

Local Government takes a lead role on GasFieldsCommission Queensland

AT THE READY: GasFields Commission Queensland Commissioners (back from left) Shane Charles,Rick Wilkinson, Don Stiller, Ian Hayllor, (front) Ray Brown, John Cotter and Steven Raine cametogether on 2 August for the Commission's inaugural meeting.

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HEAD

Anne and Br ianCameron have l ivedin the i r Wal lumbi l laNor th proper ty for44 years

t least nine CSG wells havebeen slated for the propertywhile the Camerons will also benear neighbours to the massiveXstrata coal mine project in

Wandoan, once approved.Anne has been a long-time opponent ofthe effects of the gas industry and wasinstrumental in promoting thedocumentary film Gasland in Roma.Annealso is one of the Six Artists from out ofNowhere whose recent exhibition inRoma "Shoot Straight You Bastards"(named for Breaker Morant's last words)voiced concern about the speed ofdevelopment in gas and mining in theregion.Anne, now a grandmother of eight, isunapologetic about her outspoken stance."I'm worried about the long-term impacts on

the underground water," Anne said."Neither I nor my children might live to seethe consequences."Anne said the underground water wascompromised."There is a lot of toxic water coming outand the reverse osmosis plants are notenough," she said.Anne said she had a good relationship withthe gas companies despite her concerns."I'm not against anyone making the most ofthe opportunities, my son works in theindustry," she said."But it's the corporate greed of the bigcompanies - they are the ones benefitting."Anne said the footprint of the industry onher property was huge."It's not just CSG workers and theirmachinery," she said."There are electricity towers , sewerage linesand a breakout 700m in front of our houseto service gas at Spring Gully."Anne said her art was an expression of herprotest."It's a way of dealing with the problem," shesaid."I guess people aren't sick of me keeping onabout it."Anne expects things to get worse whendrilling starts on her property."We'll be watching out for the welfare of ourcattle," she said."I just hope that as Breaker Morant said'they don't make a mess of it'."Either way, I'llcontinue to speak out."

AAnnnneeCCaammeerroonn

Ree and Leon Price'sproperty in NorthPickanjinnie hasbeen owned byLeon's family since1955

hey have a network of gaswells and water storagedams on their land and bothSantos and QGC have leasesover the property.

But Ree, who is both a landowner and acouncillor for the Maranoa, said theyfarm their cattle alongside the wells."We decided when it first began wedon't really have a choice in the matter,they have a right to mine in the area, sowe decided to work together," Ree said."They won't be here forever but theinfrastructure they leave behind, that willbe." For the Prices this infrastructureincludes an upgraded road network ontheir property and extra water points."We're able to get our cattle trucks intoplaces we've never been able to getthem into before," Ree said. The Priceshave also become the site for a pilotproject which uses CSG water forirrigation.

"They put the water through reverseosmosis, and we're the first privateproperty they've done it on," Ree said.She said as well as leaving some greatinfrastructure the CSG companies havebeen very good at allaying her and herfamily's concerns."With the upgraded roads we wereworried we'd have people come ontoour property without invitation," Reesaid."It was Santos who suggested we installCTV cameras so we would know whowas driving around."Ree said the CSG companies workedwith them to ensure they did notinterrupt the Price's farming."We let them know what we're doingwith the cattle and when it's weeningtime with the cattle in the yard or ifwe're branding they stay away then," shesaid. Ree said for landholders to get thebest out of CSG companies working ontheir land they had to be willing to keepthe lines of communication open. "I'vealways said right from the start talk topeople who can make a difference andhelp solve the problems you have," shesaid. Ree said although there are a lotmore people coming and going on theirproperty now than ever before, thepositives outweigh the negatives.

HEADto

AT

RReeee PPrriiccee


page 18Local lobbies for change

page 17Surat Basin Industrial Park

page19Sunwater pipeline update

down to

www.machinerysolutions.com.auPh 4627 2660

146 Mary StreetMiles 4415

A spokesperson for Cockatoo coal said it iscommitted to progressing the Surat basinprojects which include the Woori Project atGuluguba, Collingwood Project near Wandoanand the Taroom Project."The timing to develop the projects willcoincide with construction of keyinfrastructure including Wiggins Island CoalExport Terminal (WICET) and the Surat Basinrail," the spokesperson said."Cockatoo Coal already holds port capacityin WICET stage 1 for the Baralaba expansionproject (Bowen Basin), and was recentlyawarded 4.2 mtpa port capacity in theWiggins Island Expansion Phase 1 (WEXP1)for the Collingwood Project."The Collingwood coal project sitsimmediately adjacent to the planned SBR,while the Woori coal project is further to thesouth." It is anticipated that allocation for theWoori and Taroom Projects will now besought for WEXP2.

Cockatoo Coal Suratprojects update

Riches returned to regionsestern Downs mayorRay Brown said hiscouncil would bethinking big in severalapplications to the state

government's Royalties to the Regionsprogram.Cr Brown said while staff were stillconsidering the applications, he would beaiming to get "every last dollar" he couldfrom the program."Certainly will. I will be trying to useevery dollar I can to address an issue rightacross our region," he said."Our team are looking at it at themoment, what applications to run."Royalties to the Regions is a programdesigned to ensure communities whichsupport the resource industry getsomething back.The program will receive $495 millionover four years.Applications for the first round of fundingwill open in September, and may only bemade by 14 local governments inQueensland.The proposals for the use of funding mustbe in one of three categories - Resource

Community Building Fund (for creating orimproving community infrastructure),Roads to Resources (enhancing regionalroads) or Floodplain Security (floodmitigation works).Cr Brown has also drawn up a $100million list of demands to coal companyXstrata, who are working their waythrough the approvals process to buildAustralia's biggest coal mine at Wandoan.The list includes building new roads,upgrading water and waste facilities and

building a new airport beside the town."It's in their court now... we're happy andnow it's up to them to sign off on it," CrBrown said."We weren't going to wait around forcontributions from the government orRoyalties for Regions to start coming."We believe we had to take the forwardstep... that way it's not my community thathas to contribute. Now is when therubber hits the road."

Cr Brown said housing would be in aseparate agreement.The Xstrata Wandoan coal mine isexpected to bring 1000 workers intothe town, to be housed in a singlecamp outside Wandoan. MaranoaRegional Council did not respondbefore deadline to Surat Basin News'request for information regarding whatfunding it would be seeking as a partof the Royalties to the Regionsprogram.

Cr Brown has a lso drawn up a $100 mi l l ion l is t o f demands to coalcompany Xst ra ta , who are work ing the i r way through the approvals

process to bu i ld Aust ra l ia 's b iggest coal mine at Wandoan

W

Applications for the first round of funding as a part of the Royalties to the Regions program open next month


page20Ostwald’s hat trick

page21Huge contract awarded

BUSINESS

71 Heeney StreetChinchilla QLD 4413

P 07 4669 1911F 07 4669 1912

[email protected]

Chinchilla

RuralPhone 07 4669 1911

71 Heeney StreetChinchilla QLD 4413P 07 4662 7459F 07 4669 [email protected]

Phone 07 4662 7459

Specialising in Property Management

Buying or Selling in Chinchilla?Choosing the right agent makes all the difference

The Surat Basin's premier industrial estate, a55 hectare development 200 meters fromthe Warrego Highway in Chinchilla, is now35 percent sold with buyers keen tocapitalise on the area's strong economy.Developed by Surat Basin Developments(SBD) part of the Surat Basin PropertyGroup (SBPG), the Surat Basin IndustrialPark was launched in May 2012 with thefirst stage comprising of 26 individual lots.The project provides the only primedeveloped industrial land in Chinchilla andaccording to SBD it has been enthusiasticallyreceived by the market.SBPG's CEO Jason van Hooft said theindustrial lots sold had ranged in size from3892 square meters to 11600 squaremeters."The Surat Basin Industrial Park is close tothe centre of town and is purposelydesigned and built to suit a full range ofindustrial uses - from light to heavy industryin a perfect location for any business with avested interest in the resource sector of theSurat Basin," he said."On the back of recent strong demand, weare currently preparing to move ahead withthe final stage of lots in the estate."We are currently awaiting development

approval for seven industrial units on lotone and they are available off the plan forsale from $800,000 or for lease from $175per square metre, sizes will range from 400to 580 square meters."We are also in the process of lodgingseveral other development applications for avariety of buildings, which will also be

available for sale or lease."Mr van Hooft said purchasers so far havelargely been a mix of investors and supplychain end users.One of the first investors to come on boardat Surat Basin Industrial Park was PaulGrieve - the director of OsmacInternational.Osmac specialises in oilfields machinerymanufacture and repairs.Mr Grieve said Surat Basin Industrial Parkprovided large, centrally located sites idealfor companies looking to expand theirpresence in Chinchilla."I've seen nothing but positive growth in

Chinchilla in recent years and I expect thistrend will continue, especially now that wehave this new industrial park to providefurther opportunity for companies that arelooking to expand,” he said."We are looking forward to commencingoperations on site in October this year,and anticipate the rest of the industrialpark will fill up quickly because there issuch strong demand for a whole range ofbusinesses and products in this fastgrowing region."The Surat Basin Industrial Park featuresunderground three-phase power, townwater and sewerage, fulltelecommunications facilities, 24/7operation with council approval and freegravel hardstand to all blocks.The second stage of the development willbe released in early 2013 and the blocksizes will range from 4380 square metresto 4.04 hectares.

THE Surat Basin's infrastructure,mining and property boom hascontributed to the Darling Downs regionhaving one of Queensland's lowestunemployment rates -topping majorcentres including the Gold Coast,Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, and sittingwell below the state average of 5.7 percent.Darling Downs currently tops Brisbane(5.3%), the Gold Coast (6.3%), SunshineCoast (6.4%) and North Queensland(9.4%), with only Mackay/ Central Westslightly outranking the region at 3.9 percent.One of the keys to the region's strongeconomy and low unemployment is itsproximity to major mining projects, withthe Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)releasing statistics this month showingthat as of May this year, mining inQueensland had generated more than72,000 direct full-time jobs nationwide -a 21 per cent increase on the same timelast year.Surat Basin Property Group (SBPG) CEOJason van Hooft said the area's diverseeconomy provides work opportunities inmining, agriculture and retail, andcomparatively affordable housing hasmade the town attractive for a range ofworkers and young families.As a result, demand for housing in thearea is fast outpacing supply, with Mr vanHooft anticipating the upward trend willcontinue over the coming years.

"A key consideration for buyers whendeciding to invest in or move to a newarea is whether the economic andemployment outlook for the region ispositive - and the latest figures clearlydemonstrate that the Darling Downs andChinchilla in particular are strongperformers," he said."The agricultural industry has always

been a primary driver of employment, yetthe town is also at the gateway to theSurat Basin, which now boasts billions ofdollars in infrastructure and miningactivity."Additionally, there is plenty of work inthe centre of town in the retail andservices sector, with a new McDonaldsopening soon with 80 new positionsavailable, and many other fast food andrestaurant franchises looking for workersto help service demand from thethousands of people who call Chinchillahome."Chinchilla is not only appealing becauseit provides such a wealth of choice interms of work - housing here is also wellpriced, which is another cornerstone ofthe region's success."SBPG can provide turnkey housingsolutions priced from $390,000 to$452,000."Rental returns range from $550 to $800per week, and there is virtually novacancy, which is yet another testamentto the region's robust economy andemployment opportunities."Mr van Hooft said SBPG employed morethan 60 people in Chinchilla and hadother consultants and staff engaged onprojects in the Surat Basin who werelocated in Brisbane.

SBPGsurat basin property group

Investors rush SuratBasin Industrial Park


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ambo feedlot ownerMax Winders hasmade a call to theQueensland WaterCommission and

the Newman Government to makerevisions to water managementlegislation, in light of increasingindustrial demands onunderground aquifers in the SuratBasin.Mr Winders, who is also managingdirector of the consultancy firmMWA Environmental, gave apresentation at the 'Rich LandDewatered' speaking tour stops inWandoan and Condamine thismonth to explain the reasoningbehind his initiative."Part of the problem with ourexisting water management systemis that we look at the wateroutput from mining and gascompanies as a waste product,when it needs to be regarded as aprecious commodity, which watercertainly is," he said"There's no transparency to thedeals done between Sunwater andthe gas companies.""We need to be able to ensurethat the waste water from gasproduction is safe and fit forpurpose."His submission in response to theDraft Underground Water Impact

Report for the Surat CumulativeManagement Area criticised theway future impacts on watersources are measured andpredicted."The current model for explainingthe industrial impact onunderground aquifers is a solidstate model, and it is very clumsy,it needs to be reviewed by anindependent body."Mr Winders said that severallegislative changes need to bemade in order to ensure thatproper care is taken with waterused by coal mining and gasproduction."Firstly, the Petroleum and GasProduction and Safety Act needsto be revised to require that theuntreated water, which is aregulated waste, be delivered to aproperly authorised water serviceprovider."Second, the Water Supply Safetyand Reliability Act should beupgraded and regulations addedsuch that the conditions uponwhich authorised water serviceproviders would operate areclosely controlled and overseen bythe government to make sure thatall the waste is propertlyaccounted for, and all of therecovered water is passed on tothe people who are entitled to use

water form the Great ArtesianBasin, such as landholders orcommunities.""The water must be treated andpassed on in a form that's suitablefor them"Mr Winders said the WaterResouirces (Great Artesian Basin)Plan should also be amended tospecify that the industrial waterrecovered by water serviceproviders needs infrastructure toprovide for its delivery tolandholders and other qualifiedusers."We also need governmentintervention to ensure that theQueensland Water Commission'sunderground water impact study isindependently reviewed, andsuggestions be made as to how itmight be further improved toprovide a more reliable guide tothe future use of the great waterresource of the Great ArtesianBasin plan," he said."We (MWA Environmental) thinkthat of all the people who areavailable and independent, and havein-house capability of doing this itis BRGM."The Bureau of Geological andMining Research (BRGM) is apublic institution in Franceconcerned with earth sciences.

WCalling for change

WANDOAN PUBLIC: MaxWinders presents his ideason water management in

the Surat Basin at theRich Land Dewatered

speaking event atWandoan this month


down to BUSINESS

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Well Servicing, Coal, CSG Drilling, Minerals and Water Well Drilling

armers along theCondamine River arestill waiting for accessto treated coal seamgas water as QGC

continues its construction of theKenya Water Treatment Plant,south of Chinchilla.While the Sunwater pipeline hasbeen completed and is set totransport water to the ChinchillaWeir, a statement by QGC saidthere has been delays in theconstruction of the reverseosmosis facility."The plant involves complex andadvanced technology and includesassociated pipelines and a 25-megawatt gas-fired power plant torun the reverse osmosis process,"the statement said.The plant will comprise of a largewater treatment facility and asmaller module."There have been constructiondelays and QGC expects thesmaller module to be treatingwater for Sunwater customerslater this year and the largerfacility to be commissioned in thefirst half of next year," the

statement said."We have been updating Sunwateron progress and they have notifiedtheir customers of the expectedcompletion dates."QGC invited Sunwater and itscustomers to a tour of the plantrecently to provide an update onconstruction and explain how theplant will work.Sunwater customer Ian Wolskisaid he was disappointed by theslow progress."A lot of farmers purchased andinstalled equipment in anticipationfor completion in February,because of the penalty for notusing water that we'd signed upto," Mr Wolski said."If they'd allowed us to come on atour six months ago we wouldn'thave gone ahead buying the(equipment)."Once completed, the facility willenable the phasing out ofevaporation ponds, insteadtreating CSG water to create aresource for beneficial re-use byagricultural and industrial usersand to supplement town watersupplies.

Farmers disappointed with delays in construction of treatment plant

Waiting on the waterF

"We have been updating Sunwater on progress andthey have notified their customers of the expected

completion dates."


down to BUSINESS

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Surat Basin NEWSit’s all about our businesses, our people, our resources, our communities

our phone number 07 4662 7368

alby's Ostwald Bros was namedEmployer of the Year for theSouth-West Region at theQueensland Training Awards(QTA) in Toowoomba last

night.The energy and resources focusedconstruction and services company won theaward for the third year running forproviding training opportunities to its 700-strong workforce.Executive General Manager Matt Ostwaldthanked the company's dedicated employeesfor their commitment to excellence in theworkplace."I want to say a very big thanks to all ourworkers for their outstanding contribution

over the last 12 months," he said."Our 500 employees are the life and soul ofOstwald Bros and they've all helped to makethe company the outstanding success story itis today."They can all share in the credit for thisaward."Ostwald Bros will continue to invest in skillsand training through initiatives like our onlineapprenticeship aptitude testing."Our partnerships with local high schoolsgive many students important workexperience opportunities and we also offertraineeships to Indigenous youths."This is in addition to our civil engineeringscholarships, which give university students

important on-site experience."Mr Ostwald said training was essential forthe company's regionally based workforce."With many of our workers operating inremote locations, we need to invest in skillsthat can deliver in us real time and safetyefficiencies."That's why on all our job sites our workersare getting some form of training, whichcould be from a professional trainers orthrough on-the-job instruction from theirworkmates."Ostwald Bros is a family-owned company

based in Dalby.

The company specialises in regional andremote service delivery incorporating coalseam gas services, mining support andregional infrastructure. Ostwald Brosemploys a range of apprentices and traineesto maintain and operate its extensive fleetsof prime movers, agitators, plant, andequipment including fitter and turners, dieselfitters and boiler makers.The company wasone of 57 finalists chosen from more than750 nominations state-wide. Ostwald Bros isnow in contention for the Statewide prize atthe State Finals scheduled for Brisbane inSeptember.

Ostwald’s takehome hat trickD

" O S T WA L D B RO S H A S A S T RO N G C O M M I T M E N T TO S K I L L S A N D T R A I N I N G , I N C L U D I N G O N L I N EA P P R E N T I C E S H I P A P T I T U D E T E S T I N G A N DT R A I N E E S H I P S F O R I N D I G E N O U S YO U T H S


www.fkg.com.auFind us on Facebook

WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD TOMORROW

ast Coast Pipeline hasbeen awarded a $150million contract toinstall polyethylenepipe for 145 wells at

Spring Gully, north-east of Romaas part of phase 1 constructionof the Australia Pacific LNGProject.The work will involve all thepreparation, laying, welding andenvironmental rehabilitation andrestoration associated with morethan 600km of high densitypolyethylene (HDPE) pipe thatwill transport extracted gas andwater from these wells.The project was part of the firstphase of construction of theAustralia Pacific LNG Project.East Coast Pipeline owner BarryWaldron said signing teh lucrativdeal was amassive coup for tehcompany."It's the biggest contract we'vesigned," Mr Waldron saidyesterday."As a Roma boy, I'm reallythankful for the opportunity togo back home and reconnectwith old ties and hopefully sharesome of the benefits of this majorinfrastructure project."The contract was signed in Mayand while preliminary work hadbegun, Mr Waldron expects to

add at least another 60 people tohis 120-strong staff before workfires-up in earnest.About 10 Gympie employeesalready work for East CoastPipeline - some have worked forMr Waldron for many years.

So far,APLNG says $2.3 billionhas been spent with localcompanies, representing about80% in local content.It did not break down specificspending plans locally for the $23billion project this week, but said

a "significant proportion" ofexpenditure would be inAustralian dollars, with a majorityof that spent locally.Mr Waldron said he toosupported local businesses andemployed locally where he could.

down to BUSINESS$150 million contract awarded

The new staff will be a mixof locals and fly-in-fly-outemployees, some frominterstate.Mr Waldron said theproject involved puttingpipes about 900mmunderground.East Coast Pipeline startedin 1972, and Mr Waldronjoined the company in 1976.He started with steelwelding work and boughtthe first of his four 40-acreblocks at Lower Wonga in1994.Nowadays he spends mostnights at his Redclifferesidence which is closer tohisAustralia Pacific LNG ChiefExecutive Officer, PageMaxson, said he was pleasedto award a major contractto another localQueensland business."Late last year we awardedthe HDPE pipe supplycontract to a Toowoomba-based company, so we arepleased to have anotherhome grown businessputting this locally madepipe into the ground," MrMaxson said.

E Mr Waldron said hetoo supported local

businesses andemployed locallywhere he could.


page23Black Trucks now open

page25MI Helicopter’s new service

page26Europcar joins Surat Basin

building the

The Origin Community Skills Scholarshipprogram contributes up to $13,500 a year tohelp young people stay and learn new skills intheir local community.Support is available for any trade listed onthe National Skills Need List.Funding is paid in instalments to match thecompletion of course competencies and canbe used to purchase items like textbooks,tools and uniforms.Anyone aged 15 years or older who iscurrently in their first year of anapprenticeship or looking to begin their tradecareer can apply.

Origin CommunitySkills Scholarship

PROGRAM

SUCCESSFUL FUTURE:Apprentice butcher Brock

Moffatt at Chaplain Butcheryin Miles.

Brock seesbright future

in Mileshird year butcher'sapprentice BrockMoffatt is workingfor ChaplainButchery in Miles,

and studying Certificate III -Meat Processing (retailbutcher), with support fromOrigin's Community SkillsScholarship.The 17 year old apprenticemanages a wide range of tasksat Chaplain Butchery andplans to stay on with thebusiness when he completeshis training.Brock lives with his parents,brother and sister on thefamily property on the

outskirts of Miles, where hisfather runs a cattle transporttrucking business.Brock is saving to buy a fourwheel drive and one daywould like to run a mobilebutchery, travelling to localproperties."Miles is a great country town;I like living here," Brock said."I'm planning to finish myapprenticeship and stay on fora few years - to say thanks toJohn and the boys for helpingme get a start."The scholarship is a greathelp with tools and costs - agood sharpening steel can costaround $250."

John Chaplain, owner andmanager of Chaplain Butchery,said the boost to localbusinesses from resourcedevelopment was a welcomestimulus for Miles."The gas development hasbeen good for the town, andthat's why we are able to puton more young people tolearn a trade," John said."Brock is doing really well, andwe've just put on anotherapprentice - a young girl."It means we can train thekids, they get something out ofit, a wage and skills, and weget workers - it's good, it'sfantastic."

T

" T H E S C H O L A R S H I P I S A G R E AT H E L P W I T H TO O L S A N DC O S T S - A G O O D S H A R P E N I N G S T E E L C A N C O S T A RO U N D$ 2 5 0 . "


page26CMS’ newest toy

page27FKG’s young guns

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gap in the market was the mainmotivator for Black Trucks to openits first dealership in Roma.Black Trucks Sales part-owner, JasonBlack said with the gas and cattle

industries booming, it made sense to open adealership in Roma."Roma was the logical choice for companyexpansion," he said."There was a gap in the Roma market forheavy and light vehicle service and availabilityand now people don't have to go toToowoomba to get their rigs serviced."Six months after construction finished in itsdealership, Black Trucks has celebrated theofficial opening on Tuesday,August 7 whenaround 100 guests gathered at the site locatedon the Warrego Hwy east of Roma.Mr Black said Black Trucks was conscious ofits impact to Roma and hoped his team of 10employees would double in the first 12months of operation."Within our 10 employees, there are a mix oflocals and people who are travelling," he said."But our branch manager is relocating fromSydney and we are encouraging our staff torent or buy in town."Construction started on the site in March2011 and although it had been finished for anumber of months, different factors meant theopening was delayed.Local business owners and clients gathered fordrinks and nibbles at the opening beforeMaranoa Mayor Robert Loughnan helped cutthe cake with Mr Black.

BIG TOYS: Jason Black of Black TruckSales cuts the cake with Mayor Robert

Loughnan to mark the official opening of it Roma Dealership on

Tuesday night.

Black Trucks calls Roma homeA


building the basinBASIN

Your ContactGeoff West-McInnesPO Box 565Roma Qld 4455

Mobile: 0429 345 354Email: [email protected]: 07 4622 8333Fax: 07 4622 8300

B R A N C H N O W O P E NCOME AND VISIT USLet our experienced branch staff assist youwith all of your electrical, industrial andsafety needs.

L&H ChinchillaLot 12 Malduf St,

Chinchilla QLD 4413Phone 07 4668 9733

Fax 07 4662 7680 Mobile 0419 475 387

upply Connections is a recruitmentagency specialising in the placement ofpurchasing, warehousing and otherSupply Chain personnel, for coverage inall sectors including mining, oil and gas,

construction, industrial, government andcommercial corporations throughout Australia andoverseas.The Company was established in 2002 by theIngram brothers,Terry and Ron, who hail from theCentral Western districts of Queensland.Both have backgrounds in supply, having workedthroughout Queensland,Western Australia,Northern Territory, New Guinea and Indonesia inthe mining industry.Terry is now the sole Managing Director of thecompany which has offices strategically located inBrisbane, Mackay,Townsville, Perth and Singleton;ensuring national coverage for all major Mining, Oiland Gas, Construction and expansion projects.With a management team holding over 90 yearscombined experience in purchasing, supply andlogistics, Supply Connections can offer qualityservice, efficiency and sound advice the first time,every time.Their industry experience ensures first-handknowledge of job requirements and they draw onthis expertise and the company's extensive database

of candidates when sourcing qualified personnel foran impressive range of existing clients.The Company's high level of repeat businessspeaks volumes for the quality of candidates andservice provided by its friendly staff.In the supply chain industry, Supply Connectionshas developed a reputation for reliability, not onlywith client companies, but also employees whokeep coming back whenever they are looking fornew opportunities.Suply Connections manage director Terry Ingramsaid the recruitment process is painless."Simply let Supply Connections know your staffingrequirements, then sit back and let us do the rest ,"he said."We will source and screen the candidates,undertake reference checks, then supply a shortlist for final selection."Supply Connections' hire solutions provideflexibility whilst reducing the risk, cost andresource commitment required to train andmaintain a permanent workforce."Supply Connections recognises that quality,friendly service, and the ability to identifycustomer needs and develop on-goingrelationships with clientele across the country, areall essential elements for building mutuallysatisfactory business arrangements.

SSupplying connections

ttention to detail can often paydividends, and there's no betterexample of this than Tilly'sCrawler Parts' move tostreamline its 'phone answeringsystem.

Tilly's Crawler Parts sales manager AndyWaldron said improvements to itsswitchboard answering procedureswere just that "pinch of salt" needed tolift operational efficiency when clientsring its Toowoomba headquarters.Andy is responsible for directing a 14-strong sales team that generate healthysales revenues in quality, alternativeparts to the earthmoving andexcavation industry - especially forbrand names like Caterpillar andKomatsu.With 21 years at Tilly's under his belt,it's been a long journey for Andy whocame to town following the wool crashwhen he was based at Mungallala inWestern Queensland.Originally from a sheep and cattleproperty, he put his hand up to join the

noted Tilly's sales team."While I was always keen it was a bigbonus that I also enjoyed the job rightfrom the start," Andy said."Even though I started 'out-the-back', Ijust clicked with what Tilly's was allabout from my first day."Turning to his present role,Andy sayswhile he co-ordinates his sales team'sefforts it's just as important for him tokeep his hand in the sales arena."It's vital for me to keep in touch withthe needs and wants of our customers,"he said.Along the way Andy and his team willbe out to bolster Tilly's good reputation,generated over many a year. "The nameis incredibly well received across thecountry," he said.As to what makes a good salesman, thepoint is made that technical skills arejust one element needed to achievesuccess."We just focus on people who are keento serve the industry, and it seems towork," Andy said.

At the end of the day he said it is asatisfying job, requiring the team toadjust to not only the demands ofdifferent industries but also agriculture'schanging seasons."In the dry much of our business turnsto helping customers using machineryto push scrub for their cattle," Andysaid. "When it's wet, our customerstend to concentrate on makingimprovements to their property withstick-rakes." Currently,Andy said thebusiness is "going gangbusters," stressinghow the business remains on budget forthe year ahead and the importance of agenuine interaction between staff andcustomers can never be under-stated."Often, after having only spoken tothem on the phone for maybe twice aweek during the past 10 years or so,someone will introduce themselves tome with a welcoming handshake," Andysaid."It's hugely satisfying and I continueto learn something new every week."Andy is married and has two childrenthat attend local Toowoomba schools.

ASales team in touch with customer's needs


building the BASIN

Head offi ce Roma

s Mi Helicopters Romacontinues to expand theiroperations throughout theSurat Basin the team are

excited to announce the addition of anew service.The Gasfinder AB gas detection unitprovides customers with accurate leakidentification which is not subject toterrain limitations.Mi Helicopters Roma director and

chief pilot Kevin Clark said thebenefits of the Gasfinder AB unit areendless."The gas leak detection unit canprovide an aerial survey to ensurethere are no significant leaks prior toground crews conductingmaintenance," Mr Clark said."It means there is no risk of groundcrew entering high concentrationmethane areas during surveying/patrol,

also decreases vehicle movementalong the pipeline right away."We are really excited to be able tooffer this cutting edge technology toour customers."Mr Clark said gas companies in thearea had trailed the system and werevery happy with the results."It adds another tool gas companiescan use for checking their pipelinesand gas infrastructure," he said.

"It is not something that companies willuse as an everyday part of theirprocedures but it will just add thatextra layer of safety to theiroperations."Mr Clark said Mi Helicopters continuesto grow exponentially."We are expanding in the Roma regionthrough the services we offer thatsupport the gas industry and seismicoperations in the area," he said.

Mi Helicopters look to future"We are really excited to beable to offer this cutting edgetechnology to our customers."

A

he recent launch ofthe second annualCentral QueenslandTransport Tradesand Mining Expo

(CQ Expo) has been met with aflood of new exhibitor enquiriesand strong sponsor support.Australian Events, who are thecompany behind the Surat BasinEnergy and Mining Expo saidthat CQ Expo is pivotal forcompanies wanting to connectwith industry from Gladstoneacross into Central Queensland

where development work in theSouthern Bowen Basin and theGalilee Basin is unfolding at arapid pace.The sound success of theinaugural event in 2012 pavedthe way for an expanded siteplan and greater industryinvolvement.Australian Events director BobCarroll said organizers areworking closely withRockhampton Regional Counciland Capricorn Enterprise toestablish a hard hitting one day

conference on Tuesday March 12followed by two intensive daysof Expo business on the March13 and 14 2013."There is frenetic activity acrossCentral Queensland andcompanies are very keen to seeCQ Expo as an annual event toshowcase the latest releaseproducts and techniques for allareas of mining and industry,"Mr Carroll said.Once again there will be adedicated HR and RecruitmentPavilion which was enormously

successful for all companies andorganisations that took part."In 2013 we will be bringing inmore heavy vehicles andtransport solutions, earthmovingand construction, safety andlogistics, mine safe vehicles andtransporters, remoteaccommodation solutions and awhole heap more."Central Queensland TransportTrades and Mining Expo will beon at the RockhamptonShowgrounds from March 12-142013.

For all exhibitor enquiries andevent details contact AustralianEvents on 1800 671 588 or viatheir web sitewww.cqexpo.com.au

CQ Expo shaping up to be huge

T


building the basinBASIN

Surat Basin NEWSit’s all about our businesses, our people, our resources, our communities

our phone number 07 4662 7368

SPECIALITYSERVICES QLD

• VACUUM TANKERS

• WATER TANKERS

• DOMESTIC WATER CARTAGE

• REGULATED LIQUID WASTE

• VACUUM EXCAVATION

• UNDERGROUND UTILITY LOCATING

• POLY PIPE WELDING

DECLAN CUMMINSPh 0417 839 331

declan@specialityservicesqld.com.auwww.specialityservicesqld.com.au

SERVICING ALL AREAS

Ralph & Cheryl DonponShed 2/5 Winton St, DalbyPhone: 4662 1622 Fax: 4662 1494Mobile Service: 0429 644 102

Machinery Glass cut to sizeDirect Insurance Billing

Property Sales & RentalsMargaret J WhipReal Estate Lic 3007037

Leanne Clark 0427 816 774Barry Tuxworth 0429 486 538

24 Railway St, ChinchillaREAL ESTATE SPECIALISTS

Phone 07 4662 7050 Fax: 07 4662 8511www.chinchillapropertysalesrentals.com.au

Murray Purves Electrical

ONLINE betta.com.auINSTORE V.I.P.CLUB BETTA

Murray Purves Electrical99 Heeney St, Chinchila (07) 4662 7705

[email protected]

Finance AvailableRental OptionsAll Major BrandsKnowledgeable Friendly StaffModern Showroom

ark Crampton is proud to announce that the CramptonAutomotive Group has secured the South WestQueensland Europcar franchise.As this area includes Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Warwick,Dalby, Chinchilla, Moree and Roma, Mark Crampton sees

Europcar as a complimentary fit to his existing businesses,Toowoomba Holden, Toowoomba Hyundai and West-Star Motors.With the addition of Europcar in Toowoomba and Roma, the CramptonAutomotive Group now employs a total of 175 people."Our expertise is cars and we are delighted to form a partnership with

one of the world's largest rental companies, in order to expand theirpresence in the Darling Downs. Especially given the amount of activity inthe Surat Basin," Mr Crampton said. Europcar offers its clients a widechoice of cost effective and budget conscious vehicleoptions. Inclusive ofpassenger vehicles, mini-vans,people movers 4WD, SUV and a range ofsmall buses and trucks.The Crampton Automotive Group has completely upgraded their rentalfleet in Toowoomba and Roma to ensure they offer the best quality andvariety of vehicles in the area.Europcar, founded in 1949 operates in 150 countries from 13,000 locationswith 10 million rentals annually. Europcar, has partnered with Greenfleetand fully participates in their carbon offset program, which since December2006 has resulted in the planting of 133,348 trees.

Europcar franchisenow with CramptonAutomotive Group

M

Easy excavator

Rob Parfitt and PeterDelaforce of CMS.

constructionmachinerysolutions (CMS)are thrilled toannounce the

introduction of the EzdigProto their alreadycomprehensive fleet ofmachinery available for hireand sale.The EZDigPro is aninnovative real time depthand grade control forexcavators.With no cables and magneticsensors it is no longernecessary to drill or weldanymore, giving welders allthe flexibility they need.

Peter Delaforce of CMS saidthe EZDigPro saves time,money and increasesaccuracy."Setup and calibration takesless than forty minutes thefirst time and less than fiveminutes for daily setup," hesaid.CMS is a privately ownedAustralian companyspecialising in themaintenance and inspectionsof telehandlers, fork lifts andelevated work platforms."We provide field service andworkshop repairs, plannedfleet maintenance and 10

year inspections and rebuildsto Australian Standards," MrDelaforce said."Our sales department has arange of used telescopichandlers and accessequipment and offerscompetitive prices for yournew telehandler, fork lift, orwork platform requirements."Drop in and see our friendlystaff for all of your machinerysoliutions."With bases in Brisbane, Milesand soon to be WandoanCMS have the expertise andequipment to service theentire Surat Basin.

C

Drop inand seeourfriendlystaff for all of yourmachinerysoliutions.


building the BASIN

Surat Basin News - 07 4662 736812 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413Laurell Ison email: [email protected] www.issuu.com/suratbasinnews

Commercial Land & Buildings Redevelopment Opportunity

Recently used as a Car Sales Complex, thiscommercial premises is in excess of 2000square metres and could be turned into offices,hardware, supermarket or small shop space.Situated in the heart of Roma but on a mainhighway with high visibility. Access to the landfrom 4 streets. Large showroom, with numerousoffices, sheds and car parking galore. Amenitiesupstairs and downstairs. 7050 square metres.Expressions of interest are being taken topurchase or lease option can be discussed.Expressions of interestJoy Byrnes 0428 223 380 Quintin Street Romaraywhite.com

For Sale

Friday 14th, September 2012 from 11.30am to 3.00pm Join us for a sausage sizzle and make a gold coin donation

to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

September means Fathers Day & Footy Finals. It’s also Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. This is why Pirtek is hosting a BBQ at our 92 locations nationally on

WIN a 2012 EELS Jersey by attending our BBQ!

yBQ!

8 Malduf Street Chinchilla - Phone 4669 1400

K GARDNER and Sons Group have been heavilyinvolved in the Surat Basin region for over 15years. Not surprisingly, the company was recentlyrecognised at the Queensland Master BuildersAwards.

FKG Cadet Alexandra Williams did the company proud afterwinning an award at the ceremony in Toowoomba.Alexandra received the Women in Construction Award forDowns and Western region.25 year old cadet Alexandra knows all too well the pros andcons of working in a male dominated field."I often get called the secretary or the personal assistant,"she said."But I'm quick to voice my title; they usually look at mestunned for a moment and then it's down to business" shesaid.Alex's achievement was not the only one FKG was awardedon the night. FKG was named Civil Contractor of the Yearfor Downs and Western region for its work on HillviewDam.The 419 megalitre earth dam was announced the categorywinner during the awards evening held in July.General manager Nick Gardner said the construction teamplayed an instrumental role in securing the award."The project team on Hillview was dedicated to achievingthe best possible outcome while adhering to environmentalconformance," he saidMr Gardner also recognised that FKG winning CivilContractor of the Year was a major coup for their regionaloffice in Roma."We rely on our regional managers and teams to ensure theright processes are produced at a site level and this isevidenced by the success the group has achieved in the SuratBasin" Mr Gardner said. YOUNG GUNS:Alexandra Williams on site with FKG Project Manager Mike Turner and Subcontractor

Andrew Mason.

Alexandra Williams is not just a pretty face;and has the Master Builders award to prove it

Award winning teamF


page 29Q&A with Darren Holmes

page 30International connections

page 31Easternwell’s grants open

places and

• Dozers • Graders • Excavators • Tippers• Water Trucks • Rollers • Loaders and Extensive Support Plant

PH: (07) 4622 7328 • FAX: (07) 4622 7346 • 79-81 Duke Street, Roma [email protected] • www.njcontracting.com.au

EmploymentOpportunities

“Earthmoving Solutions”

General Earthmovers & Rural Land DevelopersServicing Oil & Gas, Mining & Rural Industries

SB Expo draws massive crowd

Easternwell crew Craig Rayner, Grant Gamberini and Craig Griffin. Blucher's Warren koina and Justin Allingham.

Rebecca Ahearn and Darren Sargant of ChinchillaFluid Power.

Simon Ross of BTP, Steve Hargreaves of Bus 4x4, Hannah Berck from BTP andBus 4x4 managing director Peter Withington.

Christine Wagner and Melanie Cavanough from FKGardeners.

Bill Miller with his daughter Abigail.

Toni and Nathan Trussler.Harcourts Toowoomba team membersDaryl Nicholson and Jodie Gardner. CFMEU showing a united front at the expo.

Trent and Kerri Murray.


page32Leanne’s inspiring trek

FACES

MURILLA COMMUNITY CENTRE INC....• Rural Family Support Worker • Rural Financial Counsellor • Murilla Respite Service • Murilla Family Day Care • Community Development • Murilla Childcare Centre • Outside School Hours/Vacation Care • Community Bus • Centrelink Agency • Broadband for Seniors • Miles NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme)

VISITS FROM:• Employment Agencies • Optometrist• Legal Service - Video Conference • Hearing Services

Developing and Supporting the Community

Providing a FREE CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE

Murilla Community Centre Inc 73a Murilla St, Miles QLD 4415 P: (07) 4627 2027 F: (07) 4627 2021 Email: [email protected]

• Housing Support Worker

ORDER ONLINE TODAY!

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Phone 07 4622 7312

For all your first aid, spill control

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Kj’s Signs & Safety Plus specialise

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SOUTH WEST QLD

What were your first impression of the Surat Basinwhen you arrived here to live in June?We arrived the night before Dalby's One Night Standconcert and then it just poured rain all weekend so wedidn't see too much at first, but my initial impressionsof Dalby was that it was a lovely little country townand the people are friendly.

What do you envision as your lifestyle in this area?I am personally not in favour of FIFO work so when Igot the position in the Surat Basin my wife and I werekeen to settle in the area.We really love small towns, Ihave spent most of my life living in them. It takes fiveminutes to get to work, there's less traffic and lesscrime. It's easier to get stuff done and get on the golfcourse! I am an avid golfer and I enjoy mixing with mycommunity. I find you have a higher quality of life in atown around Dalby's size. My daughter has startedschool at the Dalby Christian College.Oh and I'm excited about the new pool.

What are the biggest challenges of your role?Probably attracting qualified staff to the area when itmeans they have to relocate a family.

Have you explored the area at all? We went to the Bunyas recently.We didn't bringjackets, we didn't count on it being quite so cold- that'sthe Canadian influence.We stood on the top of themountain and it was freezing but that was really neat.You could see for miles.

What do you see as the future of the Surat Basin?I think the future here is very bright.There's a need forenergy and the Surat Basin has a lot of gas.

What made you move to Australia?At the time when we were living in Syria they said if acivil war breaks out have a plan B prepared. In Octoberthey came and said you've got a week to get yourfamily out and my wife has family in Sydney so my wifewent and stayed there. I met them in Sydney and weabsolutely fell in love with Australia and did not want toleave. We are planning on staying here for as long aswe can.

What changes has Arrow undergone recently?We have as a company been taking significant stepstowards lessening our footprint, we have been workingvery hard towards that.

How do you build or manage a good company?Leadership is important, strong values, and recognisingthat the employees are a key asset- I think a lot ofcompanies don't see that or at least don't practice that.Developing employees in terms of training is alsoimportant, but that goes alongside recognising theimportance of your staff.

What is on your radar at the moment?I'm going in the Brisbane marathon this weekend. I'vebeen training for three months. I'm doing the halfmarathon which is 21.1km.I want to get into triathlons, I like swimming a lot andthat's another great thing about Dalby- the new poolopening up.

facetofaceFrom Damascus to Dalby, Darren Holmes is a Canadian manwith a winding and varied career path, and he is now calling theWestern Downs homeDarren has worked in Syria as an engineering manager for Shell, having to leave suddenly whencivil war broke out. He is an engineer with 30 years experience in the oil and gas industry,working all over Canada and the Middle East.He is now living in Dalby as Arrow Energy's manager of southern operations.

Darren HHolmes ARROW ENERGY

Editorial detailsJillian Poulsen

4662 [email protected]

Editorial detailsJillian Poulsen

4662 [email protected]

SuratBasinNEWSSuratBasinNEWSAdvertising detailsLaurell Ison 4662 [email protected]


crane hire

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ATF ISON FAMILY TRUST

PtyLtd

electrician

Situated in the heart of theSurat Basin

Specialising in Electrical,Refrigeration, Airconditioning

& Instrumentation

Gas, Mining, Industrial,Commercial, Rural

Ph 4627 7009Fax 4627 7011

Email [email protected]

ABN 85 133 913 818Elect Licence 70211

Arctick AU22222

building services

Ph: (07) 3265 5570 - Mobile: 0401 328 478Fax: (07) 3865 4951

Email: [email protected]: www.sidebysidescaffolding.com.au

Specialised In:

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business branding

Surat BasinNEWS

Are you interested in making your mark in the Surat Basin?

then contact Laurell on 4662 7368or [email protected]

TRADES and SERVICESag, industrial, engineering

concrete services

Marty’s CONCRETE SERVICES

Marty - 0408 196 131

CONCRETECONCRETECONCRETECONCRETE

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building

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Call Laurell on 4662 7368

for an information packe: [email protected]

he Surat Basin is experiencing an influx of peoplemoving from overseas and setting up their homesin Chinchilla, Miles, Roma and surrounding townsin the Surat Basin.A perfect example of these new international

arrivals are Tapsi Lakhupota and Roshan Amesur, whooriginally lived in Mumbai - India, but have held jobs in variousmajor cities around the world including Kuala Lumpur -Malaysia, Muscat - Oman, Singapore, Houston and mostrecently Boston - United States.Mrs Lakhupota has recently taken a job as an IT Consultantwith Surat Basin property Group, following her husband'stransfer to Chinchilla to work as a Well ConstructionEngineer.She said although there was a huge contrast between city andcountry living, the couple was now settling in to their newhome and lifestyle."Taking a look around the world with the current turbulenteconomic climate, it's clear that Australia is one of the moststable countries with the greatest opportunity for people tocome and find employment in a variety of fields," she said."Employment in mining regions offers attractiveremuneration, which is another great drawcard, and although

it is a lot quieter than the city, people here are always friendlyand that has really helped us to settle in to our new lives."Chinchilla is close to all the major mining projects, but it'salso accessible to Brisbane and other major regional areas, sowe have had the chance to explore our surroundings."The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released statisticsthis month that showed as of May this year, mining in

Queensland had generated more than 72,000 direct full-timejobs nationwide - a 21 per cent increase on the same timelast year.According to the ABS, there has also been a 250 percent increase in private capital investment in mining state-wide over the past year , with the figure now standing at$21.7 billion compared to just $8 billion in March 2011.The Darling Downs' Chinchilla region has an unemployment

NEW ADVENTURE:Tapsi Lakhupota and Roshan Amesur are settlingin nicely to their new livesin Chinchilla.

A hub for skilled international workersplaces and FACES

THE mining and resources boomin the Surat Bas in i s turning thecountr y town into a hub forsk i l led internat iona l workerslooking to take advantage of thereg ion 's employment oppor tunit iesand economic prosper i ty

T


TRADES and SERVICES

TessOwner/Principal

0409 466 233

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0409 033 988

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•Property Management

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Ph 4662 8555 114 Heeney St

investment opportunities water cartage

• 9, 12 and 24,000 Litre Tanks available• Body Truck to Semi Loads• Using Chinchilla Town Water

Dan Cross 0429 691 309PO Box 322 Chinchilla • [email protected]

elderschinchilla.com.au

• Sovereign Park Estate • Bottle Tree Estate • Surat Basin Industrial Park • The Pines Estate Miles

Contac t us fo r a l l your Indus t r ia l ,Commerc ia l , Re ta i l & Res ident ia l needs

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Jo int Ventures

Warrego Hwy Chinchilla P. 4669 1066 F. 4669 1460 Warren Daniells 0427 468 591 Jim Strongman 0418 734 256

[email protected] www.suratbasindevelopments.com.au

Phone 4669 1790Shop 2, 1 Warrego Hwy, Chinchillawww.suratbasinrealestate.com.au

WARRENRESIDENTIALCOMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL

Our team of experienced professionals have over 58 years of combined

real estate experience.

P: 07 4669 1790 Shop 2, 1 Warrego HwyF: 07 4662 7250 Chinchilla Q 4413

www.suratbasinrealestate.com.au

PAM VICKI BRUCE

towing windscreens

1300 TOWINGChinchilla

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Phone 4669 1143Chris Apsey 0429 701 684

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Roma

Ray White Roma

With the district thriving, the Roma office hasbeen exhibiting success across all fronts of theproperty business. For an office that specialisesin residential and small acreage sales,commercial and business sales, industrial salesand property management, contact Joy andher team at Ray White Roma.

www.raywhite.com 07 44622 22688

Joy BByrnes - PPrincipal && SSales0428 223 [email protected] CCollins - SSales && MMarketing0428 153 [email protected] OOates - FFinance MManagerJessica SStansbie - SSenior PProperty

ManagerSarah HHancock - AAdministration, PProperty

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• 12,000 or 24,000 litre water • Can carry 20ft containers (pins)

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Phone 0427 627 084 or 0437 249 096

hydraulic hoses & fittings

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water cartagereal estate

COMMUNITYTO BENEFITFROMEASTERNWELLGRANTS

asternwell openedits latest round ofcommunity grantson Monday August20.

With a specific focus on theSurat Basin and surroundingareas, $20, 000 worth offunding will be awarded in thisround to community groups,clubs and associations.The Easternwell CommunityGrants program seeks toprovide financial and socialassistance to the regions inwhich it has key operations.Groups within the communitywho are looking for support topurchase equipment, toimprove, commence building orto develop training programsare all examples of projects

which will be looked uponfavourably during assessmentby the selection panel.Previous winners from theSurat Basin include the RomaGirl Guides, Moonie State

School and the SecondToowoomba Scout group.Roma Girl Guides' President,Glenys Hughes, said that theEasternwell funds would gotowards purchasing tents for a

state camp at Redland Bay inBrisbane this year that wouldhave been missed without thesupport."The Easternwell CommunityGrant funding makes these new

tents and Brisbane camppossible for our Guides andwill help us to succeed inenabling the girls to grow intoconfident, self-respecting andresponsible communitymembers," Mrs Hughes said."As well as the Brisbane trip,we'll be using the tents inongoing camps that helpdevelop outdoor skills, as wellas fostering the Guides'personal growth." Easternwell CEO TroyCampbell said Easternwellspecifically designed thisprogram to reach out to thosesmaller organisations which areessential in the building ofdiverse and connectedcommunities.

places and FACES

E

LOUD AND CLEAR:Harrison Murphy,

Timothy Sheedy andEmily and Jack Blair of

Moonie State School tryout the school's new

PA system, courtesy ofEasternwell's community

grants program.

T H E E A S T E R N W E L L C O M M U N I T Y G R A N T SP RO G R A M S E E K S TO P ROV I D E F I N A N C I A L A N D

S O C I A L A S S I S TA N C E TO T H E R E G I O N S I N W H I C H I T H A S K E Y O P E R AT I O N S


places and FACES

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Surat Basin News - Published by Chinchilla Newspapers

Pty Ltd, Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413

Printed by APN Print ToowoombaIndustrial Avenue Toowoomba

General Manager - David Richardson,12 Mayne Street Chinchilla Q4413,

PO Box 138 Chinchilla Q4413, Phone 07 4662 7368

PPhhoonnee 0077 33338855 77225500

Security & SafetySolutions for your Perimeter SecurityMelbourne Sydney

Brisbane Perth

Call: 1300 364 864

Magnetic Automation is the manufacturer of products for the control of pedestrian and vehicular access. Our products find applications within mining, rail, corporate, government infrastructure,

military and general industrial business.Our product range includes:

Visit our website for more information www.magneticautomation.com.au


Slide & Swing Gates Traffic Barriers

Pedestrian Access Turnstiles

t claimed the lives of hundreds of young Australianmen during World War II, but Murphy Pipe andCivil's Leanne Habgood is hoping the arduous 96kmKokoda Trail can now be used to save the lives ofthousands of women.

In October, Leanne will pull on her all-terrain hiking bootsand join 12 other local women on a mission to conquer theinfamous track in an effort to help raise breast cancer aware-ness and also much-needed funds to find a cure for the dis-ease.

Leanne's fundraising quest got off to a great start lastweekend with Murphy Pipe and Civil holding an auctionnight at the Chinchilla Showground Pavilion which saw acrowd of 300 dig deep to raise more than $30,000 towardthe cause.

"The auction night was a tremendous success with plen-

ty of prizes donated by Murphy Pipe and Civil and frommany local businesses who wanted to show their supportfor my fundraising goal," Leanne said.

However, while Leanne's fundraising got off to an impressivestart, she knows the brutal Kokoda Trail still awaits her team.

"I know this Kokoda quest will push us to our limits, butknowing our effort will help the Breast Cancer Associationfind a cure for a disease that affects so many will be more thanenough to give us the stamina we need to complete our goal,"she said.

"I used to think you had to be old before you could getbreast cancer, but the reality is it can happen to anyone at anyage and it doesn't matter how young, fit or healthy you are."

If you would like to support Leanne you can make dona-tions online athttp://www.mycause.com.au/LeanneHabgoodtakesonKokoda

Kokoda Trail fundraising auctionraises $30,000 to fight cancer

ON A MISSION: Murphy Pipe and Civil's Leanne Habgood is set to tackle a big trek to fight an even bigger cause - finding a cure for breast cancer.

I

Surat Basin News August 2012

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Transcript of Surat Basin News August 2012