THERE is no justification in prematurely shutting down sand mining on Queensland’s North Stradbroke Island before a thorough economic transition plan has had enough time to offset the impacts on jobs, the economy and the local community, peak resources body AMMA has told a Queensland Government inquiry today.

The Queensland Government is holding an inquiry into its plans to shut down Sibelco’s sand mining on North Stradbroke by 2019, well before the employer’s proposed end date of 2027 that fell well within the previous state government’s proposed deadline of 2035.
 
AMMA argues that with the size and history of North Stradbroke Island, there is no reason why tourism can’t be ramped up over a longer, more sustainable transition period.
 
“North Stradbroke Island has a diversified economy where tourism and sand mining have effectively co-existed for more than 65 years,” says AMMA executive director, policy and public affairs, Scott Barklamb.
 
“The Queensland Government’s plan to reshape the island’s economy to one that relies primarily on tourism within a three-year timeframe and with just $20 million, is unrealistic at best and irresponsible at worst.
 
“Even if the government could attract significant private sector investment into new tourism infrastructure within this tight timeframe, there is no guarantee that visitation would increase dramatically enough to offset  the early shutdown of North Stradbroke’s major industrial sector.
 
“Expanded and higher spending North Stradbroke tourism is far from a sure bet, but what is certain is that forcing Sibelco off the island eight years early would cost at least $70 million and put hundreds of people out of work.”
 
In its detailed submission to the inquiry, AMMA also criticises the notion that long-serving sand mining employees would be able to take up new, yet-to-be created jobs in tourism on the island.
 
“Many of the theorised new tourism jobs are not going to easily translate into new opportunities for former sand mining employees. A chef or hotel manager, for instance, is unlikely to be recruited from Sibelco’s pool of experienced mining workers,” Mr Barklamb continues.
 
“It would appear the state government’s plan is for former mining employees to transition from full-time employment, many earning six figures, to seasonal or casual jobs like waiting tables.
 
“A highly truncated and premature closure date would harm the economy and community of North Stradbroke Island considerably, perhaps irreparably.”
 
AMMA urges the Queensland Government to engage further with industry, government, Indigenous groups and other community representative bodies to map out an agreed, sustainable transition for North Stradbroke’s economy to adjust.
 
“This would reduce reliance on an unrealistic immediate boost in the tourism sector and rather create a sensible, sustainable transition to the island’s long-term future without sand mining,” Mr Barklamb concludes.

AMMA (Australian Mines and Metals Association) is the peak employer group representing the national resource industry.

www.amma.org.au

ends

NOMINATIONS for the iAwards, Australia’s premier awards programme for innovation in the digital economy will close on March 31, 2016.

These awards recognise the best innovations and innovative projects from start-ups, mid-sized companies, students, government, corporate, research and academia.

The awards honour individuals and institutions that innovate to make a difference to society through solving a simple or complex solution.

Now in its 23^rd year, the iAwards will offer over $75,000* in prize money across 11 categories.

Valuable business services and mentoring will also be made available to finalists as part of a renewed focus to support Australian innovation.

According to Rob Fitzpatrick, CEO, Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), the AIIA has focused on building a strong network of business mentors this year to support the finalists throughout the process.

“Australia is full of people who are brimming with great ideas, and who are able to reach out to those who’ve gone before them and are now willing to provide support and guidance to our nominees.

"Mentors contribute world-class experience across a whole range of business practices. AIIA is delighted this year to help our entrants benefit from the commercial and business experience of our mentors and to provide them with knowledge that will continue to support them as their ideas and businesses grow.”

The iAwards provide a great opportunity for smart and innovative Australian companies and individuals to compete on the basis of great ideas across a diverse pool of competitors.

“The iAwards opens up new horizons for emerging Australian innovations. This is the only awards programme that enables entrants to compete across all industry sectors based on the strength of their innovative idea. It’s rare to see a student innovation compete with a government or a large corporate innovation, and this is what makes the iAwards particularly exciting. All innovators are potential winners – regardless of industry."

Nominees must first win at the state award ceremonies to be eligible to compete at the national iAwards held in Melbourne this August.

Winners will be selected by a panel of 100+ high profile industry business professionals, who volunteer their time. All national and state winners will receive a range of business services from Gartner, UTS, Deloitte, Pym’s Technology Lawyers, KPMG and Grant Thornton.

The iAwards is hosted by the AIIA, a non-profit organisation run by members for members driving innovation in the digital industry. 

About the iAwards:

The iAwards honours both companies at the cutting edge of technology innovation as well as leading professionals across the Digital Economy. Most importantly, the iAwards recognises the achievements of home-grown Australian innovators.

http://www.iawards.com.au/

ENDS

ON this International Women’s Day, employers across Australia’s male-dominated resource industry now have a practical tool to implement greater flexible work arrangements in their workplaces and thus boost their ability to attract and retain more women within their ranks.

The Australian Women in Resources Alliance (AWRA) has launched its Guide to Flexible Work to help mining, oil and gas and related construction sector employers increase their workforce gender diversity.

“In recent years the Australian resource industry has overhauled its recruitment and human resources practices to diversify the skills and talent mix of its workforces. However, putting flexible work into practice at their operations remains a challenge for many employers,” says AWRA spokesperson Tara Diamond.

“Flexibility can be particularly challenging at resource industry workplaces that involve remote locations, projects operating on a 24-hour basis and often with health and safety rules restricting the practical ability to have multiple rosters or other options for flexible work.

“AWRA’s Guide to Flexible Work helps resource employers think outside the box and consider the broad range of modern flexible work options that may suite their workplaces and appeal to a greater pool of employees – both female and male – to ultimately benefit organisational culture and performance.”

AWRA is an industry initiative facilitated by peak employer group the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA), and since 2011 has worked to increase women’s participation in the resource industry.  Its new Guide to Flexible Work is the latest in a long number of practical initiatives, and includes:

• Advice on how to make flexibility work in the resource industry;
• 13 types of flexible work options such as job sharing, teleworking, flexible hours and expanded leave;
• Example workplace policies and templates;
• Useful legal tips; and
• Real case study examples of successful flexible work practices from across the resource industry.

The Australian Government has provided funding support to the AWRA initiative since its inception. Today, Minister for Employment and Minister for Women, Michaelia Cash, says a practical guide to implement flexible work policies will help open doors to women in the resource industry.

“I am delighted to endorse AWRA’s Guide to Flexible Work as an important practical tool to assist in the workplace flexibility practices of Australia’s resource industry employers,” Minister Cash says.

“With the jobs of the future set to be more flexible and agile, the ability for employers in male dominated industries to implement valuable and practical options for workplace flexibility will be vital to their success in attracting and retaining more diverse workforces.

“Through our strategic partnership with AMMA and its AWRA initiative, collectively we are helping remove barriers for women to enter the resource industry, and in particular increase their representation in on-site and operational roles.”

AWRA’s Guide to Flexible Work can be downloaded here.

ends

THE Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry today supports the Victorian Government’s announcement that the desalination plant will be used to boost Victoria’s water resources.

“The Government’s decision to switch on the desalination plant will strengthen Victoria’s water security and provide all Victorians with greater confidence in the supply of this valuable resource,” said Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Mark Stone.

“Victoria is dependent on secure, high quality water supplies for a prosperous economy, highly livable metropolitan and regional communities and healthy environment.”

Water is a vital input to many Victorian industries including agribusiness, electricity generation, manufacturing, chemicals and mining.

“Our state has invested significantly to develop a world class asset with a production capacity of 150 billion litres of water a year. With below average rainfall, falling dam storage levels and a growing population, the decision to use the desalination plant to augment Victoria’s water supply is timely,” said Mr Stone.

“Despite the desalination plant increasing Victoria's water supply, water remains an essential and scarce resource which is why water restrictions and water awareness must form part of Victoria's ongoing water management strategy.”

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, established in 1851, is the most influential business organisation in Victoria, informing and servicing more than 15,000 members, customers and clients around the state.

victorianchamber.com.au

ends