Queensland’s Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last has announced a pivotal decision ensuring the Byerwen mine workers’ camp will remain operational, reversing previously introduced legislation that threatened the camp’s closure.
This decision safeguards 800 jobs at the Byerwen coal mine, owned 85 per cent per cent by QCoal and 15 per cent by Japanese steelmaker JFE.
The legislation under the former government mandated that workers living in the onsite camp relocate to Glenden, a mining town 40 minutes away, despite significant opposition from QCoal and its workforce.
The law was introduced abruptly in 2023, attached to a child protection bill, with minimal parliamentary debate.
Critics, including QCoal executives, argued the move was unfairly targeted and lacked consultation.
Minister Last’s announcement extends the legislative timeline to December 2025 and commits to preserving the camp for the duration of Byerwen’s mining lease.
QCoal Group Executive James Black welcomed the decision, emphasising its importance for worker choice, fairness, and equity.
“We are delighted that our workers will no longer be forced to live in Glenden,” Black stated.
He highlighted that other nearby mines were permitted to house their workforces in onsite camps while Byerwen workers were singled out for relocation.
QCoal had campaigned extensively throughout 2024 against the legislation, arguing it placed regional jobs at risk and unfairly burdened their workforce with responsibility for sustaining Glenden.
The company also noted that over 80 per cent of its workers live in regional Queensland and prefer on-site accommodation due to its proximity to their shifts.
The decision marks a significant victory for QCoal and its workers after months of advocacy.
Black reiterated QCoal’s commitment to collaborating with the government on Glenden’s future while ensuring that worker rights are prioritised.
“For us, it was always about choice and fairness,” he said.
This resolution not only secures employment at Byerwen but also sets a precedent for the equitable treatment of mining operations across Queensland.
