Mayor of one of the nation's biggest resource regions calls for federal funding of critical health s…

The beating heart of the nation’s economy is in desperate need for medical professionals to meet surging demands in the Bowen and Galilee basins.

There are 31 operating metallurgical and thermal coal mines in the Isaac region which is 25 times the size of the ACT with only three multi-purpose health centres in Clermont, Dysart and Moranbah serving the current demands.

Mayor Anne Baker, who leads one of Australia’s largest resource heartlands, said Isaac Regional Council’s advocacy position formed the view that the critical shortages present an unacceptable risk to its 17 unique communities.

“People should not be treated as second-class citizens because they choose to live in regional Australia when the industries, we work in, contribute so much of the nation’s wealth,” Mayor Baker said.

“The current model for allocation of medical professionals to rural and remote communities is inadequate.

“Our communities have felt firsthand the impacts of underfunded primary healthcare and hospital networks which force community to forgo treatments.

“These impacts are compounded when the government continues to ignore the data showing the true effect of our non-resident population on local infrastructure and services.”

Mayor Baker said instances of mine-related accidents highlight that Council’s previous representations were

valid and need to be addressed as a matter of priority.

“Current clinical services planning for hospitals and allied health services does not satisfy demand generated by the true population of resource communities,” Mayor Baker said.

“Provision of resources to Isaac region multi-purpose health centres are inadequate and the model is not sustainable.”

Mayor Baker said the funding methodology needs to change before there are fatal consequences as a direct result of unavailability of critical care.

“Failure to acknowledge the additional strain on government services and facilities in regional and remote communities created by large non-resident populations means these services and facilities are not adequately or equitably funded to support total population demand,” Mayor Baker said.

“The royalties reaped from our region continue to increase and contribute greatly towards our proud nation.

“We are asking Canberra to share these enormous benefits from our miners by socially balancing the Isaac with the health services it so well deserves to ensure sustainable communities.”

Visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/advocacy for more information.