UP to 30 North Stradbroke Island sand miners are losing their jobs and remaining workers face an extended Christmas shut down due to a global downturn in mineral prices and the looming closure of the mine.
Sibelco’s executive general manager John McBride said that given the complex nature of the legislation for the transition from mining and the potential risk to the business during the transition, operations at the Yarraman and Enterprise mines and Pinkenba at Brisbane had been reviewed.
“As a result, it was necessary to draw down our working capital to align to a new way of operating and unfortunately, a number of positions have been made redundant,’’ he said.
“This has not been an easy decision for Sibelco and our staff, who we place first in our considerations and we will look to redeploy in other areas of the business where possible.’’
Mr McBride said he was working with the government to assist workers. Sibelco was considering a pause in production from December to February due to low prices.
“...We also announced a wind back of operations (45 jobs) at our magnesia business in Rockhampton due to volatile market activity, so these adjustments are not uncommon in a business like ours,” Mr McBride said.
The state government promised to start work immediately on a $28-plus million economic plan to help ease the transition.
State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said the strategy would generate more than 150 jobs in tourism, local business and education and training but it was attacked by the opposition as a lame duck proposal.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter for North Stradbroke Island as it transitions to a more diverse and sustainable economy when sand mining ends in 2019,” Dr Lynham said.
LNP MP Mark Robinson said he was disappointed in the transition program, which was underfunded and underwhelming.
"This asleep-at-the-wheel Labor Government restated its sketchy plan for North Stradbroke Island after forcing through unpopular laws that sack 150 workers and puts at risk another 150 jobs," Dr Robinson said.
"We are half way through the current Parliament and we still don't have an adequate plan for the economic transition of Straddie to a tourism-centred economy.
More reaction, page 3
