Communities Under Stress: Understanding and Managing Growth in Resource-Based Regions - the Case of the Western Downs, Queensland

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Communities Under Stress: Understanding and Managing Growth in Resource-Based Regions - the Case of the Western Downs, Queensland This may be the author’s version of a work that was submitted/accepted for publication in the following source: Mayere, Severine& Baker, Douglas (2011) Communities under stress: Understanding and managing growth in resource-based regions - The case of the Western Downs, Queensland. In Maginn, P J (Ed.) Proceedings of the 3rd World Planning Schools Congress 2011: Planning’s Future-Futures Planning: Planning in an Era of Global (Un)Certainty and Transformation. The University of Western Australia, CD Rom, pp. 1-18. This file was downloaded from: https://eprints.qut.edu.au/49488/ c Consult author(s) regarding copyright matters This work is covered by copyright. Unless the document is being made available under a Creative Commons Licence, you must assume that re-use is limited to personal use and that permission from the copyright owner must be obtained for all other uses. If the docu- ment is available under a Creative Commons License (or other specified license) then refer to the Licence for details of permitted re-use. It is a condition of access that users recog- nise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. If you believe that this work infringes copyright please provide details by email to [email protected] Notice: Please note that this document may not be the Version of Record (i.e. published version) of the work. Author manuscript versions (as Sub- mitted for peer review or as Accepted for publication after peer review) can be identified by an absence of publisher branding and/or typeset appear- ance. If there is any doubt, please refer to the published source. http:// www.ersa.org/ Communities Under Stress: Understanding and Managing Growth in Resource –Based Regions – The case of the Western Downs, Queensland Dr. Severine Mayere School of Urban Development Queensland University of Technology 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia E: [email protected] Professor Douglas Baker School of Urban Development Queensland University of Technology 2 George St, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia E: [email protected] Paper presented in Track 19 (Rural and Regional Planning and Development) at the 3rd World Planning Schools Congress, Perth (WA), 4-8 July 2011 Communities Under Stress: Understanding and Managing Growth in Resource –Based Regions – The case of the Western Downs, Queensland Abstract: The Western Downs region, located in Southern Queensland, about 200 kilometres west of Brisbane, has been experiencing rapid and significant changes over the past years, due to a massive boom in the energy sector. The rapid growth triggered by the development of mining and energy sectors has generated environmental, socio-economic and land use issues, and has revealed strong weaknesses within the region’s current governance arrangements. The present paper develops a four-stage approach to managing current and expected changes in a resource-based region under tremendous stress and uncertainty. Keywords: Land use conflict; Spatial cohesion; Mining; Resource-based communities Introduction The Western Downs region, in Southern Queensland, was until recently a predominantly rural community with no expected rapid growth, and whose economy was based on agriculture and feedlots. The recent discovery of significant energy resources within the region has led to major changes triggered by the rapid development of mining and energy industries to exploit coal, coal seam gas, and petroleum resources. The mining and energy sectors are now driving economic growth and change within the region, and are responsible for the rise in gross regional product over the past two years. These industries have created sudden and extreme growth in population, and it is expected that the 42 projects being commissioned over the next 5 years will require approximately 30,000 construction workers and more than 8,000 permanent workers for maintaining the operations (WDRC, 2010). The population increase due to the resource boom and the rapid development of energy resources has placed this rural region under stress. The benefits of mining and resource development are important with increased employment, income and business investment and a reduction in rural outmigration. However, very little revenue at this stage comes back to the Western Downs communities. 2 For example, a business capability study conducted by the Western Downs Regional Council indicated that 52% of businesses in the region import what they need, rather than using local production (WDRC, 2010). The challenges that the Western Downs region are facing are numerous and include: environmental problems e.g. water resources, preservation of farming lands, infrastructure provision and maintenance, fly-in fly-out (FIFO) with no economic benefits for the region, as the transient population is not accounted for (when it comes to using infrastructure and services), skills shortage, and the supply of affordable housing. The primary challenge for the regional council is dealing with both demographic and socio- economic rapid changes with limited policy and planning tools. The policies for dealing with these changes are disjointed and top down. The governance and land use issues are explored in greater details in this paper, with a focus on developing a conceptual strategic framework for managing growth in the study region. The Western Downs region The Western Downs region is located within the Surat Basin, an area of approximately 110,000 square kilometres rich in natural resources (Map 1). The recent discovery of significant energy resources within the region has led to major changes triggered by the rapid development of mining and energy industries to exploit coal, coal seam gas, petroleum resources. The mining and energy sectors are now driving economic growth and change in the Surat Basin, creating rapid growth in population, and increasing demand for services and infrastructure. The 2009 Western Downs population was estimated at 28,563 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2006; 2010), with a projected growth of 31,936 by 2030. The latest number released by the Western Downs Regional Council shows a 2010 population of 31,897 a number beyond what has been predicted by the ABS, with a projected growth of between 36,800 and 42,100 by 2031 (WDRC, 2011). This represents a significant increase in terms of population, with a predicted growth rate of around 32% over the next 20 years. 3 Map 1: Location of study area within the Surat Basin (DIP, 2010) Challenges In Australia, financial and legislative power primarily exists within the federal and state levels, while local governments are administratively weak and constitutionally unrecognised (Brown and Gray, 2008). Local and regional councils tend to be limited in their operational abilities, constrained by the legal context in which the States have formed. With the exception of some metropolitan areas, local authorities are even still inhibited while trying to function within their legislative boundaries by the disproportionate financial resources which local government have access to. The Surat Basin and its associated regions, although not a formal regional entity, have recently experienced a significant internal administrative change with local government authorities amalgamating into “regional” bodies. In 2008, the local government areas of Dalby, Chinchilla, Tara, Murilla and Wambo were amalgamated under the label of the Western Downs Regional Council. Although the amalgamation process undertaken by the state government has been controversial, it has created a more administratively capable set of organisations which have a greater ability to negotiate partnerships and a larger taxation share 4 (O‟Toole, 2006). However, even with this institutional redesign, regional councils are still struggling to effectively manage growth and demographic change. Change from the cumulative impacts of mining projects are of particular concern, as the financial benefits flow to the state government - whilst problems and associated management demands are largely left to local governments (Brereton et al., 2008). As a consequence of increasing mining activities within the Surat Basin, the Western Downs Regional Council is experiencing a broad spectrum of problems associated with its ability to deal with social, economic and environmental impacts. In terms of environmental/land use issues, the region is facing problems related to environmental deterioration, disposal of saline waters, soil erosion, preservation of farming lands, construction and maintenance of infrastructure and utility services, and rehabilitation once resources have been extracted and mines closed. The Regional Council is also challenged by a number of social and economic issues. Like many other mining regions, the fly-in fly-out workforce employed by mining companies does not effectively contribute to community life, and only brings minimal economic benefits for the region. Fly-in fly-out mining operations usually provide food and lodging accommodation for workers at the mine site. This kind of operation is widely used by mining companies as a means of accommodating workers for remote area mining operations and is viewed as a beneficial alternative to constructing residential towns from scratch. However, these temporary accommodations often exist in isolation of existing local communities. In some cases, they have been associated with a loss of economic and social values affecting existing communities. Furthermore, the leakage of skilled workers to the mines affects
Recommended publications
  • Queensland's Coal Seam Gas Development and the Engagement with Knowledge, Uncertainty and Environmental Risks
    Getting the Science Right: Queensland's Coal Seam Gas Development and the Engagement with Knowledge, Uncertainty and Environmental Risks Martin Espig Master of Arts (Hons) (Sociology & Anthropology) A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2017 School of Social Science Abstract Along with the current global ‘gas revolution’, Australia’s natural gas industry grew rapidly over the last decade. As part of this growth, unconventional gas reserves in the coal basins underlying the State of Queensland have been developed at a large scale. These coal seam gas (CSG) projects are expected to involve the drilling of up to 20,000 gas wells in southern Queensland alone. On a small — but likely increasing — number of the existing 9,000 wells, CSG companies apply the controversial extraction technique of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’). One hotspot of development is the rural Western Downs region where the CSG industry’s rapid expansion and accompanying socio-cultural changes have intensified land use competition between agricultural and extractive industries, while also affecting non-agricultural landholders and regional residents. In this region and elsewhere, CSG extraction has sparked debates over associated risks, uncertainties and possible unknown environmental impacts. Based on ethnographic research in the Western Downs, this thesis addresses the resulting environmental risk controversy by examining the ‘problems of knowing’ associated with CSG developments. My analysis focuses on how a variety of actors come to know CSG and its environmental risks as well as the ways in which uncertainties and unknowns are negotiated. I particularly attend to scientific knowledge claims regarding potential environmental and health impacts.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Downs Development Status Report
    Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Western Downs Development Status Report June 2020 www.tsbe.com.au WESTERN DOWNS DEVELOPMENT STATUS REPORT The Western Downs, located in the agricultural heartland of Southern Queensland, is a region experiencing strong economic growth, investment and consistently high employment. The region is well known for its rich agriculture and great liveability, but its biggest wealth is in its people and communities. Home to a growing population of 34,500 people, the Western Downs is a region known for welcoming industry and innovation as well as extending its country hospitality to all new residents and businesses. The Western Downs Development Status Report is a document produced in partnership with Western Downs Regional Council and is updated annually. It equips readers with knowledge including costs, locations and estimated completion dates for known developments in the Western Downs region across infrastructure and services, property development, building and construction, resources and renewable energy projects. Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) is committed to fostering and facilitating the sustainable growth and development of the region and works with stakeholders across the Western Downs to support the local business community. TSBE supports regional businesses through the delivery of information, business support programs, advocacy and regional promotion, as well as membership services to many local businesses. The cornerstones of the economy are agriculture, intensive agriculture, energy and manufacturing — industries which continue to boast a significant number of projects in the pipeline for the Western Downs area. TSBE and Western Downs Regional Council hope this report will encourage further investment in the region, while also providing businesses with important information to help them explore new opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • 2021 Land Valuations Overview Western Downs
    Land valuations overview: Western Downs Regional Council On 31 March 2021, the Valuer-General released land valuations for 17,760 properties with a total value of $4,403,967,344 in the Western Downs Regional Council area. The valuations reflect land values at 1 October 2020 and show that Western Downs region has increased by 21.6 per cent overall since the last valuation in 2019. Rural land values have generally increased moderately, except for around Wandoan where there have been significant increases, due to the strength in beef commodity prices as well as a low interest rate environment. Residential land values in the townships of Dalby and Miles have generally remained unchanged, with moderate increases in Chinchilla, and moderate reductions within the towns of Tara and Wandoan. Commercial and industrial lands generally remain unchanged, except for some isolated changes along the Warrego Highway in Dalby. Inspect the land valuation display listing View the valuation display listing for Western Downs Regional Council online at www.qld.gov.au/landvaluation or visit the Department of Resources, 30 Nicholson Street, Dalby. Detailed valuation data for Western Downs Regional Council Valuations were last issued in the Western Downs Regional Council area in 2019. Property land use by total new value Residential land Table 1 below provides information on median values for residential land within the Western Downs Regional Council area. Table 1 - Median value of residential land Residential Previous New median Change in Number of localities
    [Show full text]
  • 'Pelham Park' Estate Ile, I
    'Pelham Park' Estate ile, I Proudly prepared & presented by Kaye Tilley /"'" I~ Queensland Independent Property Agents 1 Introduction to: 'Pelham Park' Miles About the Location Situated in the town of Miles, located in the Western Downs region of Southern ald. In the heart of the Surat Basin, which is on the cusp of a $100 billion resource industry explosion. Miles and ·Pelham Park" Estate are situated right in the centre of this positive growth area. The towns throughout the area west of Toowoomba are going to have new wealth, due to 20% of Old's coal reserves & 65% of Old's gas reserves being located in the region. Predicted population increase is from 203,790 (2009) to 301,900 in 2031. The Region has over 47 major projects scheduled for commissioning before 2013, creating over 12,500 jobs. Miles and Wandoan, where cattle and crops are usually the only serious issues, are about to be over- run by multi-billion-dollar resource ventures. This will change them permanently. Already there are major developments and positive business growth in the towns of Dalby, Roma and Chinchilla. The resource & energy sectors are now adding to the established and continuing indus- tries such as water projects, power generation, rail infrastructure, farming & agriculture within this re- gion. There will be a massive demand for accommodation and services. Past history of similar boom areas has shown demand overriding supply of homes, both for permanent and rental accommodation. House prices have been forced upwards and rental demands have increased income returns sub- stantially. , Many resource companies impose an employment agreement clause stating - -a worker cannot reside more than 45 mins travel time from place of employment".
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report: Chinchilla Social and Economic Changes in Queensland's Gasfield Communities in 2018/19
    Annual Report: Chinchilla Social and economic changes in Queensland's gasfield communities in 2018/19 Report published: 10 June 2019 Research Team Dr Katherine Witt, Simone Elias and Amy Hodson Acknowledgements This research report was prepared by the Centre for Coal Seam Gas, The University of Queensland. The research team would like to acknowledge the assistance from Queensland regional community members who participated in research interviews as part of the research process. Disclosure/Disclaimer This research was funded by The University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas including the foundation industry members—Arrow Energy, APLNG, Santos and Shell (QGC). The Centre conducts research across Water, Geoscience, Petroleum Engineering and Social Performance themes. For information about the Centre’s activities and governance, see: http://www.ccsg.centre.uq.edu.au/ Researchers within or working with the UQ Centre for Coal Seam Gas are bound by the same policies and procedures as other researchers within The University of Queensland, and these are designed to ensure the integrity of research. You can view the policies at: http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/4.-research-and-research- training The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research outlines expectations and responsibilities of researchers to further ensure independent and rigorous investigations. This report has not been peer reviewed. Contact Dr Katherine Witt Research Fellow The University of Queensland Centre for Coal Seam Gas St Lucia Qld 4072 Australia E: [email protected] W: www.ccsg.uq.edu.au W: www.boomtown-indicators.org Report published: 10 June 2019 CLX System ID: 149 365 ISBN: 978-1-74272-314-3 The Chinchilla CSG Development Story The ‘Chinchilla CSG Development Story’ was developed in consultation with key members of the Chinchilla and district community.
    [Show full text]
  • Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Region
    Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Region Destination Tourism Strategy 2012 – 2016 Destination Tourism Strategy 2012 – 2016 Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Region Queensland’s Outback Gulf and Western Downs region is a vast, rugged and unspoilt destination, offering a variety of natural, cultural and historical attractions. National parks and the natural features of the landscape cater for a range of special interest activities including inland fishing, dinosaur ‘digs’, fossicking, bird watching and four wheel driving as well as some of the world’s best stargazing and rural experiences. The region boasts numerous authentic heritage attractions and vibrant country towns that bring the legends and the stories of the ‘outback’ to life. In 2016 the Outback, Gulf and Western Downs Region will be: Famous for its characters, culture, history and ancient landscapes where visitors feel the genuine Aussie embrace of a vast network of welcoming communities. Framework for Success This Destination Tourism Strategy provides the framework to guide tourism industry development in the Outback, Gulf and Western Downs region by coordinating stakeholders in a common direction to maximise the tourism potential of the destination so as to achieve a balance of economic, social and environmental outcomes. For the Outback, Gulf and Western Downs region to achieve its aspiration for 2016 it is critical that there is: a coordinated approach to destination Marketing and Promotion; innovative Product and Infrastructure Development across the region that delivers on the destination aspiration; and a tourism industry that is operating at the highest standards of service, safety and sustainability through effective Industry Development programs OUTBACK, GULF AND WESTERN DOWNS Brisbane Destination Tourism Strategy 2012 – 2016 Key strategies that will drive sustainable destination Domestic Market Marketing and Promotion growth to 2016 are outlined below.
    [Show full text]
  • Renewable Energy in the Western Downs
    ‘Renewable Energy is an integral part of the Western Downs future economy creating short- and long- Renewable Energy in the term employment Western Downs opportunities for our The Western Downs is known as the RENEWABLE ENERGY region.’ Energy Capital of Queensland, and is INDUSTRY: now emerging as the Energy Capital of According to the Clean Energy Australia - Paul McVeigh, Australia. Report, as at 2018, Queensland Mayor Western Downs This reputation is due to strong renewables make up 9.5% of Renewable investment over the past 15 years Energy Penetration across Australian Regional Council 4 by the Energy Production Industry states. (EPI), into large-scale resource As at January 2019, the Western Electricity transmission services industry developments in coal seam Downs contributes towards this provider, Powerlink Queensland, gas (CSG) and coal. More recently percentage with more than $4 billion connects renewable energy farms renewable energy farms have invested in renewable energy projects in the across the region into the Queensland in the region with multiple solar and pipeline. 5 transmission network using existing, wind energy farms currently either Renewable energy projects offer and where required, expanding on under construction, or approved for short and long-term work within the transmission networks and substations. construction. Gas and coal-fired power region, with a range of industries and This existing infrastructure supports stations also feature prominently in the businesses involved. This creates a the connection of non-synchronous region. strong flow-on effect in the supply generation of electricity into the chain, economy and local communities. Economic growth in the Western Queensland transmission network.
    [Show full text]
  • QGC Operations Bulletin
    OPERATIONS BULLETIN ISSUE #32 MARCH 2019 IN THIS ISSUE... Melon Madness draws the crowds in Chinchilla World Science Festival rocks Gladstone Shell purchases Solar Battery Company – sonnen Shell’s QGC Communities Fund delivers $2.1 million for local projects Internship delivers invaluable experience at Shell’s LNG plant on Curtis Island OPERATIONS BULLETIN Issue #32 March 2019 MELON MADNESS DRAWS THE CROWDS IN CHINCHILLA The 25th Chinchilla Melon Festival drew thousands of attendees and 125 volunteers from Shell’s QGC business in the Melon Games Arena. Tens of thousands of people from across south east Queensland converged on Chinchilla ‘the melon capital of Australia’ on the weekend of February 16 and 17 to participate in the 25th Chinchilla Melon Festival. QGC is a major sponsor of the ever-popular sticky event, and again this year managed the events in the Melon Games Arena, with the help of 125 QGC volunteers from Brisbane and Chinchilla. Crazy costumes mixed with slippery and challenging events drew a crowd of courageous melon athletes – and resulted in a day of fun for all the family. QGC’s Operations Manager Common Systems, Angus Heatherington said – “We recognise the significant contributions that this event provides to Chinchilla and the Western Downs Region, and appreciate the opportunity to participate in the iconic festival. “What people really love about the Western Downs region is the sense of community and this event showcases that feeling. “Our people join in the life of social, civic and sporting clubs that vitalise regional areas. This way Shell’s QGC business becomes part of the community and the community becomes part of our business,” he said.
    [Show full text]
  • Q-8200-15-RP-1015 Roma Taroom Lot 18 SP110483 Rev 0
    Part Lot 18 SP110483 Ecology Assessment Report Release Notice This document is available through the Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Phase 1 Project controlled document system TeamBinder™. The responsibility for ensuring that printed copies remain valid rests with the user. Once printed, this is an uncontrolled document unless issued and stamped Controlled Copy. Third-party issue can be requested via the Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Phase 1 Project Document Control Group. Document Conventions The following terms in this document apply: • Will, shall or must indicate a mandatory course of action • Should indicates a recommended course of action • May or can indicate a possible course of action. Document Custodian The custodian of this document is the Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Phase 1 Project – Operations and Project Support. The custodian is responsible for maintaining and controlling changes (additions and modifications) to this document and ensuring the stakeholders validate any changes made to this document. Deviations from Document Any deviation from this document must be approved by the APLNG Upstream Phase 1 Project – Operations and Project Support. Doc Ref: Q-8200-15-RP-1015 Revision: 0 Page 2 of 40 Operations and Project Support, Australia Pacific LNG Upstream Phase 1 Uncontrolled when printed unless issued and stamped Controlled Copy. Part Lot 18 SP110483 Ecology Assessment Report Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................... 6 2. Terms & abbreviations
    [Show full text]
  • Download Full Paper (PDF File)
    AN AUSTRALIAN FIRST – FLOOD HAZARD MAPPING ON A MASSIVE SCALE Introduction There are currently large areas of Australia where there is little or no information on current flood behaviour and this is particularly true in Queensland. Typically these areas are where there is little or no data, where there had not been any significant flood history. This all changed during the summer floods of 2010/2011 which affected more than 75% of the state. The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry was set up to enquire into a range of matters arising from the 2010/2011 floods including the preparation and planning for floods by Governments, agencies and the community. The Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Final Report (QFCI, 2012) identified several key recommendations particularly considering the need for a risk based understanding of floodplains; specifically about the need to live with floods rather than trying to control them. Until recently, models were unable to model much more than 10 million cells and even then the run time was very very long. A broad scale model could take weeks to run at the desired grid scale. BMT WBM is leading the way with recent innovations in flood modelling techniques which when combined with advances in consumer grade computer technology, can help engineers, emergency planners and land use planners to fill existing knowledge gaps regarding flood behaviour, especially in rural and remote locations. In addition, advances in ground surface data collection and in flood modelling proficiency represent the dawn of a new era in floodplain management in Australia where flood risks can be assessed and managed at a holistic whole of river basin level.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Downs Development Status Report
    Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise Western Downs Development Status Report January 2019 www.tsbe.com.au WESTERN DOWNS DEVELOPMENT STATUS REPORT The Western Downs, located in the agricultural heartland of southern Queensland, is a region experiencing Wandoan strong economic growth, investment and consistently high employment. The region is well known for its rich agriculture and great liveability, but its biggest wealth Jandowae is in its people and communities. Home to a growing population of 34,000 people, the Western Downs is a region known for welcoming industry and innovation as well as extending its country hospitality to all new residents and businesses. The Western Downs Development Status Report, is a document produced in partnership with the Western Downs Regional Council and updated annually to equip readers with knowledge including costs, locations and estimated completion dates for known developments in the Western Downs region across Infrastructure and Services, Property Development, Building and Construction, Resources and Renewable Energy Projects. TSBE is committed to fostering and facilitating the sustainable growth and development of our region and works with stakeholders across the Western Downs to support the local business community. TSBE supports regional businesses through the delivery of information, business support programs, advocacy and regional promotion as well as membership services to many local businesses. The cornerstones of the economy are agriculture, intensive agriculture, manufacturing and energy — industries which continue to boast a significant number of projects in the pipeline for the Western Downs area. By publishing this report TSBE and WDRC hope this report will encourage further investment and lend confidence, while also providing businesses with important information to help them explore new opportunities.
    [Show full text]
  • Miles, Queensland, Australia
    MILES, QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA TICKETS ON SALE NOW backtothebushfestival.com.au MILES BACK TO THE BUSH FESTIVAL 2018 WELCOME! We welcome you to the festival and the Miles District. Putting together this revamped Back to the Bush Festival has been a labour of love for our committee of volunteers and our community. We are excited to host you for a Back to the Bush experience like no other and we wish you a wonderful and memorable festival! COME HELP US Rachel Kerwick CELEBRATE! Festival President Come out to Miles, in Queensland’s Western Downs Region, from 6-9 September 2018 for a festival where a love of vintage and a love of country collide! Come help us celebrate all that we value about living in the bush. This year’s festival spans four days with an eclectic mix of MESSAGE FROM MAYOR authentic and interactive bush experiences. This program is packed full opportunities for you to explore our district and PAUL MCVEIGH experience vastly different aspects of life in the bush from 4WD, fishing and farm tours, to galleries, gala balls and trivia nights. Step back in time to the Miles Historical Village and Museum, or I would like to extend a warm country welcome to everyone who step into the homes and backyards of our local residents to view has joined us for the exciting 2018 Miles Back to the Bush Festival their unique collections of vintage and often quirky memorabilia. on our Western Downs. Beginning with a traditional country street parade, the festivities Our region is home to many fantastic events each showcasing build to a crescendo on Saturday afternoon and evening for the our beautiful area and this festival is no exception illustrating all Main Event in the Festival Precinct at the showgrounds.
    [Show full text]