The Brisbane Times reports (14.12.16) on the State Government’s plans to assist workers at North Stradbroke Island’s sand mines to ‘transition’ to alternative employment once mining operations cease in 2019.
‘The Queensland government will set up a $5 million fund to support sand miners who will lose their jobs when mining ends on North Stradbroke Island.
‘Sand mining company Sibelco will phase-out its operations on the island by 2019, however the government has flagged a $28 million strategy to transition the workers into other fields, primarily eco-tourism.
‘Employment Minister Grace Grace said the scheme would cover the workers currently employed by the mine.
‘”At the moment there’s 22 workers who are directly affected so far … they will be able to access the entitlements under this workers assistance package,” Ms Grace said.’