Miners on the move

GROWTH INDUSTRY: Abbot Point is poised to become one of the world’s largest coal ports which means a large number of workers will be in the region. Photo: Lee Constable

THE push is on to ensure miners are well aware of the benefits of living in the Whitsundays with Abbot Point on the verge of becoming one of the world’s largest coal ports.

Luring mine workers and their families to invest and live permanently here was the focus of the newly formed Living Whitsundays project launched last week.

The project aims to create regional economic stimulus as miners buy homes in the region and spend their money here on their days off.

Developers, builders, surveyors and real estate agents met in Bowen last week to look at the opportunities of the mining boom.

Enterprise Whitsundays marketing manager Karen McNally said the project had potential for long-term economic benefits.

The project aims to create regional economic stimulus as miners buy homes in the region and spend their money here on their days off.

Developers, builders, surveyors and real estate agents met in Bowen last week to look at the opportunities of the mining boom.

Enterprise Whitsundays marketing manager Karen McNally said the project had potential for long-term economic benefits.

"We need to demonstrate to the mining companies just how close we are to the mines and how easy it would be to live here and work there," she said. 

Gavin Cave, 28, and Shantal Cornford, 23, moved to the Whitsundays from Ayr in July last year.

Mr Cave works underground at Moranbah and Ms Cornford is a banking advisor in Airlie Beach.

Ms Cornford said the Whitsundays was always on the couple’s agenda when Mr Cave started working in the mines.

Since moving here they have built a house in Cannonvale and have long-term plans to stay.

"We had it all planned before we moved here and decided to build," she said.

"We had our hearts set here.

"It was closer to Gavin’s work. It cut the travelling time down and it is a nice place to live." 

The Living Whitsundays project will focus on permanent living in the Whitsundays and not the fly-in, fly-out option.

It is estimated that with the current and projected mining activity, and the building and operating of the requisite infrastructure, an additional 25,000 jobs will be created in the region over the next five to seven years.