Queensland's largest mining council calls for regional authority to manage transformation

Isaac Regional Council plans to put forward a motion to 76 local governments to call on the Queensland Government to establish a regional authority to manage transformational changes in coal mining regions. 

Council voted unanimously to bring its motion - establishing and resourcing a regional authority for Queensland coal mining regions - to the Local Government Association Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference in Cairns this October.

Mayor Anne Baker said councils at the coal face need all levels of government, mining companies and communities at the table to prepare now.

“We know steelmaking coal will play a major role in the future but coal mining regions across Queensland need to be planning now for end of mine life and the climate change response,” Mayor Baker said.

“This work will take time, money and buy in from all stakeholders at the very beginning of planning stages.

“A statutory authority would assist coal mining regions by energising existing community capability, leading collaboration, supporting innovation and ensuring the global benefits of decarbonisation are not achieved at the expense of mining communities.”

Mayor Baker said creating the authority would provide the first tangible step towards an inclusive plan that supports a fair future for all.

“Without a responsible authority with a clear mandate to manage change, local councils, like ours, will be left fighting for their communities’ very existence,” Mayor Baker said.

Council will also put up four other motions when it attends the 126th LGAQ conference in Cairns from 17-19 October 2022.

Published: 4th August 2022