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david.breese | February 20th, 2012 | Posted in
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John McCarthy | The Courier-Mail | February 20, 2012 12:00AM
FOR the first time in decades the Western Downs is planning for growth, not just incremental growth but nerve-racking, infrastructure-busting growth.
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Ray Brown said potentially there were 80 projects across the Surat worth $180 billion on the books stretching from coal seam gas to power stations, one of the world’s biggest coal mines and even wind farms and solar power stations.
A $500 million Braemer 4 power station was approved by the council in January while Truenergy has another gas-powered station on its books for the area. The council has given approval to another three power stations from QGC.
“We have seen plans for another 12,” Cr Brown said.
And if there is one issue that annoys the people of the region it’s wind farms, not CSG, according to the complaints received by the council.
In the small town of Wandoan, population 350, there are plans for as many as 1400 hotel and accommodation units. About 400 have been approved by the council but financial commitment will probably only be made when Xstrata signs off on the planned $6 billion coal mine and rail line.
A four-bedroom unit in Wandoan is already renting for $1000 a week and a five-bedroom house in Roma is on the market for $1500 a week.
“It is having a big impact on housing, but there is also a pressure on things like schools,” Cr Brown said.
The coal-seam gas boom has also brought speculators into Roma, part of the Maranoa council, where camps outside the town for up to 1000 people are on the agenda. Another three camps at Miles are also seeking approval.
Rents in places such as Chinchilla are also skyrocketing and well out of the reach of many locals. “We are struggling because of the enormous growth,” Cr Brown said.
Not only are social problems developing, but infrastructure problems too. The Warrego Highway, already one of the state’s worst roads, is being hammered by the constant flow of trucks servicing the resources industry.
And try getting a hotel room in places such as Dalby where a soup kitchen has been set up for people who are struggling under the cost of living.
Cr Brown said that in January alone 650 coal-seam gas workers from QGC moved into Dalby, although the company had no knowledge of any such move.
“Some early figures suggest that there will be an extra 15,000 to 25,000 people in the Surat Basin over the next decade,” he said. “That could be through fly-in, fly-out or moving people here, but we think it will be a mix of both.”
Housing is one of the biggest issues and Cr Brown said only Dalby had any real spare rental accommodation.
“I know what has happened at Moranbah (where rents are topping $3000 a week) and that kills a community. We have to do something or buying a sausage roll will cost $20 here,” Cr Brown said.
“The companies have to put in housing for their own staff, but also provide affordable housing.”
Cr Brown said the council had to find better ways to keep key personnel as “you can’t keep people if they can’t keep a roof over their head”.
“By 2015 the State Government will be getting $6 billion a year in royalties out of the Surat Basin. The Federal Government will be getting $40 billion. A percentage of that money has to stay here.”
TOWNS FIRST: Western Downs Mayor Ray Brown wants to see more mining profits flow back into regional mining communities. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail
http://www.couriermail.com.au/life/homesproperty/qld-ink-premium-prices-in-mining-areas/story-e6frequ6-1226275254397
