The Queensland government has introduced legislation in parliament to ensure the sustainability of a small mining town. 

The legislation creates a link between the town of Glenden and the nearby Byerwen mining project, situated 20 kilometres away. This connection is pivotal for Glenden's future.

The legislation mandates conditions for granting the mining lease to the Byerwen project. These conditions aim to transition the Byerwen workforce into Glenden over a five-year period.

QCoal, responsible for the Byerwen project, had initially planned to house workers at an onsite camp instead of in Glenden.

Glenden, located 160 kilometres west of Mackay, was originally established to house workers for the Newlands mine by Mount Isa Mines in the 1980s. 

In 2013, Swiss mining company Glencore took over the town. However, the Newlands mine has ceased coal production and will close in the coming years, causing concerns among residents.

Residents hoped the Byerwen mine would revive the town, but QCoal's plan to house workers at an onsite camp raised concerns. The legislation now requires some Byerwen workers to reside in Glenden.

The state has called for urgent amendments to the Mineral Resources Act 1989 to address this issue, saying that initial representations made by the mine proponent about worker accommodation in Glenden were unenforceable under the existing criteria. 

The proposed changes would align with the social impact assessment criteria in the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act.

More details are accessible here.