Isaac Regional Council plans to put forward a motion to 76 local governments, calling 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,” Ms 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.”
Ms 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,” Ms Baker said.
