CONCERNS have been expressed in Lithgow Council that Lithgow and other ‘traditional’ coalfields in NSW could experience the pitfalls of ‘fly in, fly out’ workers in the mining industry which up to now have been largely a feature of more isolated sites.
It’s the first time the issue has surfaced publicly in the Lithgow local government area but according to speakers at the latest meeting of council the prospect is real.
And should the trend take hold it will have an adverse impact on local communities, council was told.
The issue has been raised at a time when there are ongoing concerns being expressed on the downside of the ‘fly in, fly out’ work force in mining sites in Queensland and Western Australia — some in isolated locations, others where existing communities are being squeezed dry.
The discussion followed tabling of a report to the most recent meeting of the NSW Mining Related Councils.
Mayor Neville Castle said that meeting had considered a parliamentary inquiry currently looking into the impacts of this type if ‘FIFO’ labour where jobs are available but most of the income is not spent in that town.
“They fly in, do their work, then fly back to their home to spend their money,” the mayor said.
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Lithgow Mercury
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