A ground swell of grassroots support to save Glenden’s future has been felt from Weipa at the tip of Queensland to the West End of Brisbane in the South-East.
A ground swell of grassroots support to save Glenden’s future has been felt from Weipa at the tip of Queensland to the West End of Brisbane in the South-East.
Momentum continues to grow for the Save Glenden campaign after the small mining community and Isaac Regional Council launched a call for support a week ago.
First Nations, local governments, and organisations from across Queensland have rallied in support of Glenden with concerns growing for their own regional areas that host major projects.
More than 1 million people have been reached on social media in under a week and nearly 20 councils have also lodged their support.
The campaign started after the Minister for Resources Scott Stewart formed a preliminary view to approve the construction of a 450-bed camp on the 50-year Byerwen mining lease, 20km from the established community of Glenden.
The Minister’s decision would contradict successful outcomes in the Planning Court over the past four years, finding in favour of Council’s defence to ensure the workforce camp is built within the township of Glenden.
The Minister has given Council the opportunity to directly address his preliminary views and provide compelling reasons to refuse the application.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker met with the Minister at Queensland Government headquarters in Brisbane on Monday to provide a number of solutions ahead of a formal submission yesterday.
“The meeting with the Resource Minister this week was a positive step forward for us,” Mayor Baker said.
“We feel he heard us, and the department listened to what we have to say but we are a long way from Glenden or any Queensland community being safe.
“The stakes are high with this decision as it could throw all resource or renewable community futures in to doubt.
“As Australia’s largest resource region with over 28 coal mines and 11 renewable projects on the way, this decision is a test case for how the government will transition communities in the future.
“We are confident that the options we put forward are achievable and will secure the future of Glenden.”
THE FIRST NATIONS VOICE
Traditional Owner Colin McLennan of the Jangga Country said building a camp away from town is “wrong”.
“I think they should be using the town. I like Glenden because it’s nice, out of the way,” Mr McLennan said.
“We’ve got the determination of our country. We should be saving Glenden because we don’t know where all these families will go so, please help us save Glenden. It’s a big thing to do but we should be saving it.”
THE QUEENSLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT VOICE
Western Downs Regional Council Mayor Paul McVeigh said ensuring the resource sector is embedded in local communities is a fundamental part of our Council’s industry attraction strategy and our reputation as the energy capital of Queensland.
“Securing social and economic certainty for our towns is crucial to the long-term viability of regional areas, and we are strong advocates for village accommodation, being located in or directly adjacent to our towns, which enables workers to contribute to the local economy and be a part of the various sporting, cultural, and social opportunities that keep our towns strong and connected,” Mayor McVeigh said.
“Particularly as we transition towards renewable energy, regional communities need absolute confidence their towns will continue to thrive.
“I support Mayor Baker and Isaac Regional Council’s campaign to ensure we’re building better communities for all Queenslanders.”
Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said local governments across Queensland are watching Glenden’s situation closely.
“There is great concern across Queensland and that is why we are standing with Isaac Regional Council in their efforts to save Glenden,” Mayor Ferrier said.
“We are having the same experience right now with a renewable project in the Banana Shire.
“Whatever happens in Glenden and the Isaac region will send ripples through the State, throwing community futures in doubt.
“If the Resources Minister rules in favour of a camp onsite in Glenden, it tells all councils that our planning schemes mean nothing when it comes to resource and renewable projects.
“We are confident the options put forward in our submission are achievable and will secure for not only Glenden but all regional communities that play to major projects.”
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) is the peak body for local government in Queensland. It is a not-for-profit association set up solely to serve the state’s 77 councils and their individual needs.
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said new developments across Queensland communities in mining, renewable and critical minerals projects will generate significant new royalties and taxes for state and federal governments.
“For the local communities hosting these new developments, it’s only right that they benefit from their fair share of the economic and social benefits that will come from these large-scale projects.
“This needs to include improved community liveability in these areas, not the destruction of those communities.
“If the social licence for any industry is done well, it benefits everyone.
“Queensland councils have been working constructively with the State Government to co-design frameworks that enhance the liveability of regional communities.
“We need this work to continue as it’s critical to maximise benefits for the communities, not just the proponents. What’s happened in Glenden could happen anywhere and that’s not acceptable.”
THE COMMUNITY ORGANISATION VOICE
The Glenden community have rallied together to make a heartfelt plea to the Resources Minister to help save its small Isaac region town.
Glenden’s population in 2021-22 sat around 477 residents with a median age of 35. The town has six community groups and six community facilities including a recreation centre, pool, gym, library, parks, and playgrounds that complement the town centre.
Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) has supported community action through the Glenden Alliance Group and Rural Interest Group since March 2022.
GWC Executive Officer Carol Norris said this issue continues to bring bleak days for the residents of Glenden.
“For more than 15 months, Glenden has been without reliable and adequate knowledge about the future of nearby mining operations to enable them to make informed decisions about their jobs, their home and their futures. And not for the want of asking,” Ms Norris said.
“Our key priority has been requesting reliable information about the intentions of the nearby major mining developments to be communicated with the Glenden community.
“This clearly has not happened, and once again we see a community being ignored and the full impact of critical decisions not being considered from the individual or community perspective.”
THE COMMUNITY VOICE
Mother-of-two Felicity Niethe, who has lived in the community for more than 25 years, said Glenden is her home and her family will have nowhere to go.
“If something happens to Glenden, what’s going to happen to us?” Mrs Niethe said.
“My husband runs a business here, I run the post office and if we don’t have people here, we don’t have a business here. So, what’s next? … it breaks my heart that they are not bringing people to our town.”
Father-of-three Keiran Perkins has worked in the Isaac region mining industry for more than 15 years.
“When I started out in mining, I was fly-in, fly-out, drive-in, drive-out for a period of time. I missed a lot of milestones,” Mr Perkins said.
“I moved to Glenden about 18 months ago and that opportunity hasn’t made up for lost time, but it has enabled me to be around my family and no longer miss those milestones.
“It’s not just Glenden, there’s so many other small towns that will be in the same situation in times to come.
“It’s important to me because I am here with my family, I’m home every night and I get to interact and do things with the kids.
“The kids love the school here and school’s great. I just want the Minister to fight for us. Fight for the families here.”
Karyn Ruston who has lived in Glenden for 12 years has raised four grandchildren in the community.
“We’ve had the best time in Glenden. It’s literally our home,” Ms Ruston said.
Tony Phillips, who is part of one of the foundation families, has lived in Glenden on and off since the early 1980s.
“I’ve raised family, grandchildren and seen Glenden grow from a little dustbowl in the country to a bustling little town which was an absolute picture in its day,” Mr Phillips said.
“But now I see it deteriorating. I need the Minister to stand up and be counted and fight for our community.”
The Byerwen mine is a joint venture between QCoal and JFE Steel.
