MAC mining villages

Proposed MAC Group Mining Village

These pages have been set up by the Gulgong Chamber of Commerce to allow all interested parties to view all the information gathered by Chamber regarding the proposed mining village at a property on Cope Road (location shown in the map below). Chamber encourages all parties to contribute.
Email your contributions to minersvillage@gulgong.net

Concerns in the Community

Below are some of the concerns already expressed by people in the community:

  • Strain on infrastructure and services (e.g. medical facilities)
  • Public safety in town
  • Rise in antisocial behaviour
  • Reduced tourism in Gulgong
  • Increased traffic on Mayne Street
  • Affect on property values

Quick Links / Resources


Location of the proposed village near Gulgong

MAC Group village location

Latest Developments

February 2012

  • MAC Group Information brochure distributed in the community
    Click to download the flyer (1.25MB)
  • 1st Feb, MWRC press release: Mac Group Development Application
    • The DA lodged was missing critical information and therefore Council has elected not to proceed with the public exhibition of the DA until all information is submitted by the applicant
    • Missing information includes: additional demand on water supply, environmental assessment of water and sewer line extensions and heritage assessments
    • Click to download the press release (36kB)

January 2012

  • "Social Impact of Mining Survey: Aggregate Results Queensland Communities".
    Report by Kerry Carrington & Margaret Pereira, School of Justice, QUT June 2011
    • A survey of perceptions about how FIFO/DIDO workers are impacting on Queensland mining communities.
    • People aged 18 or over who live or work in a community or region impacted by mining development were eligible to participate. This includes FIFO/DIDO workers.
    • Some perceived social impacts, such as the impact on housing and rental affordability, can be backed up with supporting figures.
    • Results in brief:
      75% felt the impact on housing availability was negative
      79% felt the impact on housing affordability was negative
      76% thought the impacts on local infrastructure was negative
      26 % thought the impacts on local economy would be positive
      61% supported new mining projects with an expected FIFO/DIDO of 25% or less
      82% opposed development of new mining projects planning a FIFO/DIDO work force in excess of 75%
    • Click to download the full report (1.25MB)
  • The MAC Group DA has been submitted.

December 2011

  • Gulgong town forum is held to discuss housing development opportunites and related matters. Click for the minutes
  • MWRC revises the DCP and the second draft is on display

Letter - Robyn Faber - Narrabri Mayor, 28th October 2011

  • Describes the experiences in Narrabri surrounding the recent MAC Group development
  • Overall the development has been positive
  • Biggest benefit has been 'taking the heat' out of the rental market and providing rooms for tourists
  • Local business was used during construction
  • Local businesses and people are employed in the day-to-day running of the village
  • No social issues have been experienced as yet
  • Read the letter

Town Meeting - CWA Hall Gulgong, 27th October 2011

  • Discussion of MWRC's Draft Development Control Plan - Temporary Workers Accommodation
  • The meeting was well-attended, well run and informative
  • Council was well represented
  • Speakers urged the community to make submissions raising issues with the DCP by Monday, 31st October
  • A call was made for a 'raise of hands' of people against the development. The majority in attendance were against.
  • Click for more information

Mid-Western Regional Council: DCP for Temporary Workers Accommodation

27th October 2011

  • Chamber learns that the MAC Group have settled on the Cope Road property

13th October 2011 - Meeting

  • The MAC Group introduce themselves and their concept for the mining village in Gulgong.
    Click for details

September, 2011

  • Initial conversations between the MAC Group and Gulgong Chamber of Commerce, MAC Group is invitied to speak at a meeting so the community can hear "from the horses mouth"
  • Chamber contact Narrabri businesses about the Narrabri miners village
  • Chamber researches articles regarding the Blayney village and mining villages Australia-wide

24 August, 2011 - The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia: Inquiry into fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) and drive-in, drive-out (DIDO) workers.

© Gulgong Chamber of Commerce 2012 Feedback? Errors? Email Us Web site design by hileywood I.T.