BMA Community Partnerships 2004 REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES Partnerships between BMA, our employees and the local communities of Central Queensland CONTENTS

Introduction 3 About BMA 4 About the Program 5 The Community Partnerships Program 1: Youth Support 6 2: Business & Skills Training 8 3: Community Welfare 10 4: Sport & Recreation 12 5: Arts & Entertainment 14 6: Environment 15 Other Local Initiatives 16 Our Communities 18 Map of the Region 19

Front cover: With BMA’s assistance, youth development workers play a pivotal role in improving services and options for teenagers in the Central Highlands communities. It is just over two years since BMA launched its We thank you for your comments and feedback Community Partnerships Program (CPP) as part which have resulted in improved community of our vision for the long term future for the engagement and have helped us to better business and, consequently, for the address areas of greatest need. communities in which we operate. By targeting those areas which residents This report provides CPP stakeholders with a themselves have identified, we are concise update of the various activities endeavouring to make a difference through the supported by BMA since the program’s Community Partnerships Program with a range inception in 2002, including activities funded of activities to enhance the ability of under Stage 2 of the CPP which was launched communities to shape their own futures. earlier this year. I also acknowledge the volunteering efforts of The projects highlighted within this brochure BMA employees and family members, whose cover the key activities we are conducting with special contributions have added significantly our partners in government, welfare more value to the CPP. organisations and community groups. Being a valued member of the community is One of the keys to the success of the program important to BMA, and we are pleased to play has been the strong link between the minesites, our part in promoting the health and wellbeing local Community Relations Coordinator, Ros of the Central Queensland region. Mann and the Brisbane office team which facilitates a co-ordinated approach to community partnerships.

BMA’s commitment to the Central Queensland towns, where the majority of our employees and their families reside, is self evident. Working with local Councils, we invested $16 million last Dave Murray year, including sponsorship programs under the CPP, to help maintain the towns and their Chief Executive Officer lifestyle, meet local needs and realise local BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance opportunities. December 2004

PAGE-3 ABOUT BMA

As Queensland’s largest coal producer and exporter, BMA is committed to ensuring that the communities in which we operate continue to share our success.

Above: BMA mine managers ranging from high quality hard coking coals to Darryl Halliday and John high energy thermal coals. Blanning (at rear) with Dysart primary school students and In addition, the Alliance manages two mines international volunteer and markets coal production on behalf of Valentina Frison from Italy (at front) from Australian BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd, who own the Central Conservation Volunteers. Queensland mines of Riverside and South Walker Creek. Participants are BHPB (80%) Right: Education Minister, the Hon. Anna Bligh and BMA’s and Mitsui and Co (20%). Vice President Commercial Relations, Ross Willims BMA is a major contributor to the economies (seated) with Dysart State of Central Queensland, the State as a whole School’s Shane Anderson and and the nation. Patricia Jaksic with the sponsorship agreement for The BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) BMA operations provide major benefits to the Learning Development was created in June 2001, as a strategic the communities in which they operate and Centre for Literacy. partnership between BHP Billiton (BHPB) the wider Central Queensland region, and Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd under through local employment, support for which the two companies share equal local businesses and Government taxes ownership and management of seven Bowen and charges paid. Basin coal mines and the Hay Point coal export terminal near Mackay. Our production accounts for around a quarter of Australia’s annual coal exports The mines - Blackwater, Goonyella, Peak Downs, and 30 per cent of the world’s seaborne Saraji, Norwich Park, Gregory and Crinum - trade in hard coking coal for the produce a broad cross-section of products international steel industry.

PAGE-4 ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM

In May 2004, BMA launched Stage 2 of the Community Partnerships Program, announcing a new range of activities which support self-help initiatives, building on the activities included in Stage 1 of the Program launched in September 2002.

As the largest private employer in the The latest initiatives, valued at $275,000, Below: Queensland Premier Central Queensland region, BMA has for more have been added to a range of ongoing the Hon. Peter Beattie (left) than 30 years supported the communities activities and will take BMA’s investment in the with BMA’s General Manager Operations, Mick Madden and where our employees live. Community Partnerships Program to around CEO Dave Murray at the $2 million annually. launch of the Community BMA is committed to ensuring that the Partnerships Program. communities continue to share our success. In 2004/05, a social impact assessment will be To this end, we are working with governments, undertaken to help measure the impact of each Bottom: BMA’s Community Relations Coordinator, community groups and other organisations to of the activities under the program and to guide Ros Mann, meets regularly ensure resources are directed toward building its further development. with a range of community long term benefits. groups across the Bowen Basin. To reinforce this commitment, BMA launched the BMA Community Partnerships Program (CPP) in September 2002. The Program provides support through a range of initiatives and activities which promote partnerships with local and State government, training and welfare organisations and, most importantly, the communities themselves, with the aim of leaving a lasting and positive legacy for the Central Queensland region.

The CPP represents a co-ordinated approach to community relations for BMA’s mines and Hay Point coal terminal. Since its inception, the Program has provided funding to address areas of greatest need in the Central Queensland towns where BMA’s employees and their families are located. The program extends across most of the Bowen Basin, as well as the port of Hay Point.

The BMA CPP provides support within six broad Our Vital Link categories, namely, youth support, business and BMA’s Community Relations Co-ordinator, skills training, community welfare, sport and Ros Mann, based in Dysart, is responsible for recreation, arts and entertainment, and the co-ordinating the diverse community environment. partnerships and activities within the CPP.

In May 2004, BMA launched Stage 2 of this In doing so, Ros is the point of contact on the program, announcing a new range of activities ground, for the Company’s community to support primarily self-help initiatives. activities, between local community groups, BMA site managers, BMA Brisbane Office and Thirteen local community organisations were the a range of local stakeholders, to ensure beneficiaries of the most recent round of effective implementation of the various CPP funding. Stage 2 support covers a diverse range elements and provide a local sounding board of initiatives from an engineering and robotics on community issues including suggestions on centre, to networking opportunities for youth new proposals. workers, and water safety for young children. Ros meets regularly with a range of BMA also contributed more than $60,000 to a community groups and individuals and zigzags feasibility study of a proposed ‘Miners Park’ across the Bowen Basin to attend to various coal interpretive and community centre in community interests. Blackwater.

PAGE-5 1: YOUTH SUPPORT

BMA supports projects which improve young people's well-being by developing skills and knowledge which will enhance opportunities for their participation in the social, cultural and economic life of the community, and individual job prospects in the future.

Below: BMA’s Emerald CQ Youth Workers Living Works Training Pulse Centre was officially While smaller communities are considered ideal Youth suicide prevention is an important area of opened by the Minister for for bringing up young children, for a number of expertise required by rural and regional youth Police and Corrective reasons they are often unable to offer a full workers. BMA has funded attendance by a rural Services, the Hon. Judy Spence (front) pictured here range of opportunities when these children family support worker at a five day training with (l-r) Brian Swart, HR become teenagers. Youth Development Workers program to learn how to train other youth and Manager, BMA’s Gregory- play a pivotal role in improving services and community workers in suicide prevention. Crinum Mine, Police entertainment options available to teenagers in Comissioner Bob Atkinson, the Central Highlands communities. Police Citizens Youth Clubs and Sergeant Sean Lear, The Blackwater and Emerald Police Citizens Manager of the Emerald BMA provides $60,000 a year to enable the Youth Clubs provide important opportunities for PCYC. previously part-time youth workers in Moranbah, the development of young people in Central Bottom: Practicing at the Blackwater and Dysart to undertake their work Queensland. Moranbah skate park for on a full-time basis. competitions organised by The BMA Community Partnerships Program has the CQ youth workers. Activities organised by them during 2003/04 provided funding to establish an Emerald PCYC included participation by youth in leadership and refurbish the existing PCYC in Blackwater camps designed to develop self-esteem and and create a “BMA Pulse Centre” in each. confidence; movie nights, youth discos and skate park competitions. The BMA Pulse Centres are receiving funding of $225,000 over three years under the BMA CPP. Youth Workers Peer Network Youth workers in smaller regional The BMA Pulse Centres were officially opened communities often lack a local by the Minister for Police and Corrective network of peers working in their Services, the Hon Judy Spence in July 2004. The Centres offer young people the opportunity to field to provide support and socialise and participate in a range of sports exchange ideas. Under Stage 2 of and activities with appropriate adult supervision. the CPP, Anglicare Central Activities range from basketball and soccer to Queensland is conducting scrap-booking and boxing. The PCYCs also hold workshops to generate a peer bingo, roller-skating and disco nights. network for youth and community workers in Central Queensland. “With BMA’s help the Blackwater One workshop has already been held and, with its success, another PCYC has been able to move beyond is planned in 2004/05. making ends meet to being able to proactively work at providing fuller services to the Blackwater community.” Paul Christensen, Blackwater PCYC Manager

Literacy Support A $58,000 a year project to improve the literacy levels of students at Dysart and Moranbah schools is one of a number of long-term projects initiated by individual BMA mines which continue to be supported by the BMA Community Partnerships Program.

The DYESART group (a committee comprising representatives from BMA’s Saraji and Norwich Park mines and mining unions, the CFMEU and

PAGE-6 The importance of developing strong literacy and numeracy skills in the early years of schooling cannot be overstated. These foundation skills are the most reliable predictor of longer term educational outcomes and personal and economic wellbeing.

CEPU) has supported literacy programs at the Dysart primary and high schools for over a decade. This support allows the primary school to employ a teacher aide to provide one on one support to students who are experiencing literacy difficulties.

BMA’s Goonyella/Riverside and Peak Downs mines support Moranbah State High School’s literacy strategy. This program was recognised nationally when Moranbah High achieved the “Teaching Excellence in Literacy” Award in the 2003 National Literacy and Numeracy Week Awards held in Sydney. Moranbah High was the only Queensland school to be recognised at these awards.

CASE STUDY Learning Development Centre for Literacy Above: Jenny Strachan works Gindie is a two teacher school near Emerald. BMA has provided $300,000 over three years to assist with the running of the Centre which is with the students of Gindie Jenny Strachan, the lower primary teacher, State School to improve requested assistance from the LDC to based at Dysart State School. literacy skills. include reading strategies in her classroom The full-time LDC Coordinator, Tricia Jaksic, has routines. She also believed that parents and established a network of five School Based the teacher-aide needed to be involved in Literacy Coordinators (SBLCs) to work with the process to ensure that the messages are clusters of schools to disseminate knowledge reinforced from school to home. and information. The BMA LDC has initiated a The LDC provided training with one of the significant number of professional development School Based Literacy Coordinators (SBLCs); opportunities and provided one-on-one support reading strategy charts and a literacy sharing for teachers in 32 schools throughout the day for the parents and teachers, and Central Highlands region. The program has bookmarks for the students. resulted in measurable improvement in literacy in those schools. The LDC operates under a model which provides easily accessible small group and A highlight for the LDC during 2003 was the one-on-one support for teachers. Ongoing commencement of the “Literacy Standards support is readily available as part of the Tracking Project” which is being undertaken by wider role undertaken by the SBLCs in the 23 teachers from schools in the Emerald district. Education District.

The support from the LDC has assisted This project, a first for Queensland, will Jenny to increase her knowledge of continue throughout 2004 and aims to develop strategies to provide more effective reading a list of expected literacy capabilities of support for her students. students at the end of Years 3, 6 and 9. “I have seen a good progression of Learning Development Centre reading development in all students. for Literacy The BMA Central Highlands Learning and Individual students have improved Development Centre for Literacy (LDC) was their level of reading using established in partnership with Education PM benchmarks” Jenny Strachan Queensland as a permanent centre for sharing and learning excellence in literacy teaching. Years 1-3 Teacher, Gindie State School.

PAGE-7 2: BUSINESS & SKILLS TRAINING

Developing a pool of skilled people in our communities is essential to the long term sustainability of both the communities and BMA.

Below: Gregory Crinum Mine Learning Network Queensland (LNQ) Seven students from Alligator Creek Primary Manager, Shane Hansen, BMA is providing $18,000 a year to establish School who achieved outstanding results in with Emerald scholarship and operate Learning Network Queensland academic, cultural or sporting arenas received recipients Roslyn Core and Kira Sutherland. (formerly Open Learning Queensland) Centres in assistance to attend Sarina State High School Dysart and Moranbah to enable community through the Hay Point Bursaries Scheme. Bottom right: Learning members to access computer training and other Network Queensland This assists Sarina High School to retain short courses, as well as provide information, Centres enable community talented local children in the region. members to access support and 24 hour access to computers and computer training and other quiet study areas. Tertiary Education short courses. Preparatory Studies Courses have been well attended over the last In Central Highland communities, employment year - for example the Dysart centre launched a prospects, especially for partners, outside of Return to Work program that attracted mining and associated support industries, nine participants who graduated with a usually fall within a narrow range of options. Certificate II in Workforce Re-Entry. Some participants are planning to In addition, partners’ future employment undertake further study upon prospects have been constrained by the lack of completion of the course with the training providers in their local communities. encouragement and support of the LNQ. As well as providing assistance with Tertiary and Secondary establishing Learning Network Centres in Scholarship Schemes Moranbah and Dysart, BMA has partnered with Students in regional areas often face Central Queensland University (CQU) to offer barriers to developing their individual talents employees’ partners the opportunity to and abilities to pursue the career of their undertake a bridging course that will provide choice. them with the skills and confidence to undertake further study. BMA scholarships help produce the next generation of professionals such as teachers, engineers, nurses, scientists and accountants inside and outside the mining industry.

In 2004 a total of 24 young Central Queensland students were awarded scholarships to help reach their full potential. The BMA scholarships are valued at around $160,000 a year.

Seventeen secondary school students received scholarships in 2004 to attend university next year. Recipients from the Moranbah Community Five people commenced this course in 2003/04 Scholarships Scheme, the DYESART Scheme and and undertook studies which develop their the Gregory Crinum Scheme received literary, numeracy, research and computer skills scholarships which allow them to pursue tertiary to a point where they are confident about studies of their choosing. taking on tertiary studies.

Recipients of the Blackwater Mine Scholarships Engineering and Robotics Centre are assisted to study a discipline relevant to BMA is supporting the establishment of the the mining industry including accounting, Coalfields Engineering Skill Centre in Moranbah environmental science, engineering and geology. with a grant of $90,000 over two years.

PAGE-8 Left: Peak Downs Engineer and mentor Geoff Devin discusses the Lego robot with Moranbah High School student, Elijah Patzell.

The Centre aims to address skill shortages in Indigenous Youth Training the region’s mining industry by providing Program (MRAEL) Certificate level training to school students in Through the CPP, BMA is working with MRAEL, engineering and information technology and a local group training company to create a facilitating the training of engineering program which provides a diverse range of apprentices. training and employment opportunities for local indigenous people. The Centre will also build on the existing school robotics program sponsored by BMA and The program, valued at $30,000 a year, supported by volunteer mentors from was piloted in Emerald in 2003 with nine engineering disciplines at BMA’s mines. Under participants beginning a pre-employment the guidance of the mentors, student teams training and vocational work placement won third place in the Queensland Championships program. One traineeship position has been and finished in the top ten in the Australian taken up from three traineeship opportunities Championships with their Lego robots. available at the end of the program.

“Although I’ll be looking at getting a full time job after my traineeship, working at the TAFE has given me the incentive to undertake further training, especially with computers, because I don’t think you can have too many qualifications today.” Sharon Bigby, Indigenous Trainee

PAGE-9 3: COMMUNITY WELFARE

BMA supports the provision of a broad range of community services to Central Queensland communities to assist overall community welfare.

Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Services Reliable emergency medical care and life support services are essential in regional, remote and rural communities in the Central Queensland region.

The RACQ RESQ Helicopter Rescue Service based in Mackay and the Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service based in Rockhampton play a programs designed to assist people to manage vital role in rapid delivery of medical their financial resources more effectively and professionals and equipment to provide provide individual counselling sessions for emergency treatment and transport in remote those experiencing financial difficulties. and regional areas. BMA supports these valuable community services by providing CASE STUDY $30,000 annually to each service. Salvation Army Moneycare

A high level of employee support is also Monica* is a single mum with twin girls, provided through payroll deductions, which are now three years old. Her partner left her matched by the company through the BHP when she was pregnant with the girls. Billiton Matched Giving program. One daughter was born with health problems. Monica battled by herself but More recently BMA donated a mobile ultrasound with growing medical bills was forced scanner to the Central Queensland Helicopter reluctantly to seek help from a Salvation Rescue Service to support the launch of the Army community service centre around new RESQ helicopter. The state of the art Christmas when things got really tough. scanner will allow paramedics to quickly identify She received emergency assistance and a abdominal bleeding at the scene of an accident referral to Moneycare. and undertake immediate measures to support the patient. Monica had debts of about $4,500 made up of credit card and utility debts. Her only Salvation Army, Moneycare income was a Centrelink payment and with Demand for financial counselling services like two toddlers she was unable to service the Moneycare has increased, due partly to debt. The financial counsellor worked with increasing access to credit and the accumulation Monica to help her to develop a budget and of debt, the inability of some people to manage improve her situation. their money and in some areas financial difficulties due to drought or other regional Together they approached the credit card factors. companies to develop a realistic payment plan and Monica was able to repay all BMA provides funding of $58,000 a year over her debts. three years to allow a Salvation Army Monica is now debt free and has a part-time Moneycare financial service based in job. Her life has been changed dramatically Rockhampton to service the Central for the better now that she has the capacity Queensland region. to manage her financial situation. A trained financial counsellor regularly visits *Name changed to protect her identity regional mining communities to run preventative

PAGE-10 Kids Alive Do the Five BMA is providing $30,000 over three years Below: Wise Old Owl, Lil Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental through the Mackay Council for Social Lifesaver and Boo the Alien teach Central Queensland deaths in the under five age group in Australia Development to establish and trial a mentoring children about pool safety. and one of the greatest tragedies in a model for volunteer management committees to community. As all communities face this risk, help find solutions to attracting and retaining Bottom: Hay Point Port BMA is playing its part by sponsoring volunteers. Manager, Sam Bonanno (right), presents a portable performances of the ‘Kids Alive Do the Five’ BMA has also provided funding over three years ultrasound scanner to CQ water safety pantomime in Sarina, Moranbah, for Volunteering Australia to conduct volunteer Helicopter Rescue Service’s Dysart, Emerald, Capella and Blackwater. training workshops to educate community Dr Peter Bastable. The ‘Kids Alive Do the Five’ water safety organisations on their rights and obligations pantomime has a colourful cast of characters and how to create and maintain effective including Lifesaver Lil, Wise Old Owl and volunteer programs. naughty Boo who teach children about pool safety through song and dance.

The theme song is a catchy five line ditty which even very young children can understand and which helps protect them against childhood drowning.

Volunteer Training and Mentoring Many community organisations in Central Queensland rely on the dedication of volunteers, but as people become increasingly busy it is often difficult to attract and retain volunteer workers in some community organisations.

PAGE-11 4: SPORT & RECREATION

As the principal recreational activity in the region, sport plays an important role in Central Queensland communities and BMA has a strong history of support for local sporting facilities, clubs and events.

Above: Every young Sport provides children and adults with tips and techniques to young local players in participant in the rugby opportunities for social interaction, developing several Central Highlands towns. league clinic took home a BMA shirt and cap, a team skills and keeping healthy and active. football and a certificate of Additionally, Queensland Firebird players participation. Sporting Development Clinics Rebecca Chapman and Meegan Rooney with BMA provides funding to involve elite coaches Coach Sue Hawkins have taken time out of their Below right: Presenting in special clinics for the most popular junior busy competition schedule to run Netball Clinics certificates (back row l-r): sports in Central Queensland to improve skill sponsored by BMA in Moranbah and Emerald. Tony Claffey, Chris Sheppard, Michael Luck, levels and encourage greater youth participation BMA Peak Downs HR in local sporting events and activities. Come and Try Day Advisor Leanne Rodney and In order to increase awareness of the sporting BMA Goonyella/Riverside BMA is sponsoring a number of coaching clinics options available to young people BMA has Mine Manager Ben and visits by some of Queensland’s top rugby funded and helped to organise a ‘Come and Try Zietsman; (front row l-r) league players from the Brisbane Broncos and Day’. The day, being held in Moranbah towards young players: Trace Berardi, Travis Watts, Jake North Queensland Cowboys to pass on some the beginning of the winter sporting season in Eden, Riki Higgins and Harry Pondekas.

PAGE-12 BMA sponsored a visit to Left: Queensland Firebirds the communities by Netball Team members National Heart Foundation Rebecca Chapman (left) and Meegan Mooney (right) with officers to establish the Moranbah Juniors Jade Foundation’s ‘Just Walk It’ Goodall (left) and Jessica community walking Nolan and Firebirds coach, program in the region. Sue Hawkins.

A number of walking Below left: A happy, healthy heart at the launch of the groups were established National Heart Foundation’s and continue to attract “Just Walk It” program in significant local support. Central Queensland. Groups are led by volunteer Walk Organisers Bottom left: Walking is a popular activity in Central who choose the route Queensland communities. and organise the times and meeting place for their group.

Walk Organisers are provided with free training, including CPR training, and all the resources that they need to begin and maintain their group.

“Meeting their sporting idols can be the inspiration that starts one or more of these young players towards a future professional career.” Pat Booker, Secretary, Central Queensland Rugby League

2005, will give young people the opportunity to participate in five sports - hockey, netball, Australian rules, tennis and rugby league - in a one day skills clinic.

It is hoped that this first taste will encourage local children to make sport and the healthy competition it provides, a regular part of their lives.

“Just Walk It” Walking was already a popular activity in the Central Queensland communities where BMA’s employees work and live, but it is easier to maintain motivation and enjoyment when walking with a group.

PAGE-13 5: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BMA’s support for arts groups and community arts events aims to encourage social interaction, broaden recreational options and develop a local cultural identity.

Below: Specialist silversmith Moranbah Community Radio Flying Arts Workshops Lisa Gaze (centre) shares the The people of Moranbah are very proud and BMA has provided Central Queensland residents secrets of her trade with supportive of their local community radio the opportunity to develop craft skills at Flying Dysart residents Susie Mills (left) and Mary-anne station 96.9 ROCKFM. The station provides a Arts Silversmithing Workshops held at Dysart, Thompson, in one of the forum for the town to express itself and discuss Capella, Blackwater and Emerald. At the CPP series of BMA-sponsored local issues, as well as providing training and funded classes, participants were able to train Central Queensland self-development opportunities for a wide range under a specialist silversmith and produce a workshops. of people, especially youth. range of jewellery. Below right: The team from Moranbah Community Radio The BMACPP funding of $75,000 over three More workshops are planned to provide 96.9 Rock FM celebrate years allowed ROCKFM to take another large residents with the opportunity to learn different receiving approval to boost leap forward in its ongoing development. A part arts and crafts. their transmission signal. time manager was employed to help the station work towards their goal of self-sufficiency as Arts Exhibitions well as help the volunteers with the challenging Touring arts shows and performances provide task of establishing the “BMA Nite regional communities with the opportunity to Show” for mine shift workers. experience a broad range of cultural events.

BMA played a significant role in BMA will fund touring art exhibitions and three assisting the station to lobby the mini tours of live performances by the Queensland Australian Broadcasting Authority for Arts Council to Moranbah, Dysart and Blackwater. a permanent license and increased broadcast area. In June 2004 the “The funding from BMA has station received these approvals and contributed towards Rock FM being now has the potential to broadcast able to employ a further three part to Goonyella, Peak Downs, Saraji, Coppabella, Moorvale and Burton time positions, a first in six years.” Downs mines. Sue Kotara, Manager 96.9 Rock FM.

PAGE-14 6: ENVIRONMENT

BMA is committed to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. Our high standards for environmental care extend to local communities where BMA supports a variety of conservation projects such as tree planting and landscape enhancement.

Left: Members of the Green Corps working to restore, protect and provide improved community access to “The Esplanade” at Hay Point, pictured with Jamie McCorkell (front right) BMA Hay Point Environment and Safety Coordinator.

Below: Students from Alligator Creek State School near BMA’s Hay Point Coal Terminal, discuss recycling during a visit from Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Conservation Volunteers Australia Green Corps, an initiative BMA sponsor visits by Conservation Volunteers of Green Australia Job Australia (CVA) to primary and secondary Futures, allows young schools in Central Queensland to increase people to learn students’ environmental awareness. conservation management first hand. The Green Corps The CVA environmental education game called are responsible for helping ‘What a Load of Rubbish’ inspired the to manage beach access, Blackwater school to introduce a total school rehabilitating dune recycling program starting with the introduction vegetation, building turtle of a blue recycling bin in each classroom, office watching blinds and and lunch area. constructing an environmental walking trail. Hay Point Foreshore Development Project The Hay Point Development Project is a key Hay Point’s “B” Crew received the “Qld Beach element in the “Sarina Beaches Habitat Spirit Award” under the Environmental Rejuvenation Project” coordinated by the Louisa Protection Agency’s “Clean Beach Challenge” Creek Progress Association and supported by a for volunteering their time to pick up rubbish number of local community and coastal on the beach. environmental groups. The Project aims to protect and revegetate the coastal zone and “The school is more focused on provide habitat for native species of flora and recycling after the BMA sponsored fauna including turtle nesting sites. visit by the CVA team. The The project is a team effort, with several introduction of the recycling bins to partners working together to protect the coastal each classroom is the first stage of a zone. Participants include Green Corps, Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association, total school recycling program” Sarina Shire Council and Hay Point Coal Michael Santsingh, Principal Terminal and its employees. Blackwater North State School.

PAGE-15 OTHER CPP LOCAL INITIATIVES

Individual mines and the Hay Point Coal Terminal undertake a number of other local community initiatives under the CPP which enhance community life in a wide range of areas including community open days, youth training, environment, education, sport and community welfare. A small selection of these initiatives is outlined here.

Right: BMA Peak Downs Environmental Officers Ryan Henderson and Sara Raleigh with young Moranbah East Year 5 students and some of the 800 native plants they raised.

Below (from left): BMA Saraji Mine Manager, John Blanning, and Broadsound Shire Council Mayor Cedric Marshall, with one of the 10,000 calico bags distributed to Dysart residents.

Green Scheme in Schools Reusable Bags for Dysart BMA assisted local schools to establish Broadsound Shire Council in partnership with nurseries for the production of native plants in BMA Saraji Mine launched a scheme to reduce pots to sell to the mines for revegetation the use of plastic bags in Dysart through the purposes. BMA provided seeds, pots, potting distribution of over 10,000 calico bags to the mix, fertilisers and Dysart community. Eight reusable bags were technical advice to help provided to every household for shopping at kick the project off. local stores and supermarkets.

Originally developed at The scheme aims to reduce the number of Goonyella Riverside, the discarded plastic bags that make their way into program has spread to the environment as litter. As they are non- Peak Downs and South biodegradable, discarded bags can last Walker Creek Mines as anywhere up to 10,000 years and are also well as BMA’s Central responsible for the deaths of thousands of Queensland Office and animals and birds each year. now involves numerous local schools including Raising Funds for Helicopter Rescue Nebo, Coppabella, Managers from BMA competed against radio Moranbah Primary, station 4HI and RESQ rescue paramedics in a Moranbah East and unique challenge which raised $7,000 in funds Moranbah High. for the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue.

The program allows The Managers’ Fitness Challenge, conceived by school children to gain BMA’s Saraji Mine Manager, John Blanning, hands-on experience of plant propagation, and was a gruelling race over the same course learn more about the environment and the that Rescue Team members must complete rehabilitation of mined land. The schools have every six months to stay in peak physical access to their own BMA representative who condition, comprising 8 chin-ups, 50 sit-ups, visits the schools to provide practical assistance 40 push-ups, a 3km run, and a 1 km and advice when needed. swim - part of it in a wetsuit.

PAGE-16 Another race is planned for 2004/05 Left: A range of local to raise funds and awareness for the community groups were Helicopter Rescue Service that involved in the 2004 Day at the Park. operates throughout the Central Queensland region. Below left (l-r): BMA’s Hay Point Manager A Day at the Park Sam Bonanno, CQ RESQ’s BMA’s Norwich Park Mine hosts a Phillip Dowler, 4HI’s community “Day at the Park” and Sonya Shepherd, RESQ’s Duane Reid, South Walker opens the mine for a day of family Creek Manager, Neil fun. The day provides the opportunity Reynoldson and Saraji for community groups to undertake Manager, John Blanning fundraising and promote their after the Managers’ Fitness services and activities. Challenge. Bottom: Eddy Haegal (right), Local school bands had the Norwich Park Mine Manager, opportunity to play for the crowd of with the crew of volunteers over 5000 who enjoyed the 2004 Day from the community who helped to make the 2004 Day at the Park. at the Park a great success. The 2004 Day at the Park also included mine tours, amusement rides for the kids, business & community displays, a fashion parade, a rock concert featuring Jimmy Barnes, children's activities, and heaps of competitions, prizes and give-aways.

PAGE-17 OUR COMMUNITIES

As the largest private employer in the Central Queensland region, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) has, for more than 30 years, supported the communities where our employees and their families live.

Right: BMA’s Community Relations Coordinator, Ros Mann, (seated second from left) joins members and invited guests of the Hinterland Tourism and Economic Development Committee for a meeting in Middlemount, Central Queensland.

BMA’s employees and their families live in the mining towns of Moranbah, Dysart and Blackwater, as well as the more diverse rural BMA’s contribution and mining centres of Emerald/Capella, Coppabella/Nebo and the regional coast around > Direct employment for 6,450 people Mackay/Sarina. > An annual wage bill of over $400 These inland towns were small rural centres or million, with an estimated two thirds did not exist when large scale coal mining came spent in the Central Queensland region to the region in the 1960s. Since that time, BMA has invested tens of millions of dollars in the > Estimated 20,000 flow-on jobs development and maintenance of the towns, which have become modern communities > 220 apprentices and youth trainees providing a wide range of quality services and > 800 regional businesses providing amenities to their residents. goods and services Employees of BMA’s Goonyella, Riverside and Peak Downs mines live in the township of > $700 million spent on purchasing Moranbah, which was established in the early regional goods and services 1970s for mine employees and now has a > $185 million paid to the population in excess of 8,500. Dysart with a population of around 3,500 was built to house State Government in coal royalties the employees of BMA’s Saraji and Norwich > $338 million paid in other government Park mines. BMA Blackwater mine employees taxes and service charges live in the town of Blackwater which has a population of 6,000. The majority of BMA > $343 million paid in rail freight charges employees from the Gregory and Crinum mines to Queensland Rail live in the thriving regional centre of Emerald with a population of 10,500. Sarina with a > $16 million spent on towns and population of around 5,000 is home to many community support employees of BMA’s Hay Point coal terminal. Most Thiess employees at the BMA managed Figures quoted are annual and correct for South Walker Creek mine stay in camp the year ended 30 June 2004 accommodation in Nebo and Coppabella, and reside in Moranbah or the Mackay region.

PAGE-18

Contact us: We welcome your feedback on the program. Please direct any comments or questions to our Community Relations Co-ordinator, Rosalyn Mann > Email: [email protected] > Tel: (07) 4950 0416 > Fax: (07) 4958 1318

BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd GPO Box 1389, Brisbane Queensland 4001 ABN 67 096 412 752 > Tel: (07) 3226 0600 > Fax: (07) 3229 2575