about mining, culture and pissing on footpaths...

The last time I read the local rag, navigating quickly to bypass the mega dramatic headlines,which often make us question whether Mackay actually has any realy news worthy items to report, and who exactly the journos are targetting, I came upon a snippet of a posting in the sms section by KCH which made my blood curdle and my lips retract over my gums.

KCH and many other newly placed residents,often seen driving with yellow stripes on their company cars, seem to be of the opinion that without the mines Mackay would be a ghost town. KCH appeared to be young and naive. Recently empowered by being promoted from a female truck driver to a desk job, carrying with her a heavy wallet, and an attitude to match, KCH thought that it was through people like her that Mackay has been put on the map.Maybe so, but at what price?

Mackay was doing just fine before the mining boom, thank you very much.
In those days,  there was prospect for the place to gain a little cosmopolitan vibe. In those days there was regional pride. For the past 35 years it has been one of the foremost affluent areas of Qld, reknowned for small business success stories,possibility,for being one of the best cities on the coast to bring up the kids, for its beautiful beaches and tropical lifestyle,for its sporting achievements, for its community spirit.

Now it is mainly known for....mining. KCH was probably still in school, sneaking smokes in the girls toilets somewhere down south, and didn't even know this great place existed up here.

Since the influx of people, whose social status has been suddenly elevated, not by their brain but by their brawn,there does not appear to be a great deal of focus on the aesthetical side of progress in the region.Whilst the media profunds the great economic wealth created by the resources boom, and has slowly progressed its focus on the great mining success stories, the truth of those who have suffered from the boom is often never told. Small business in the region who are not associated with the mines have endured extreme skill shortages, as trained skilled workers leave their long term jobs for greener pastures.Many have had to close as they cannot compete with the rediculous wages the mining companies pay.

Add a change in a government, from one which supported  small business ,and freely amplified their great importance in Australia ,to a socialist party , the voice of the brawn, and lifestyles are quickly changed.
Add a change in  local council, a change in the local political seat,and suddenly the region is heading on a course to disaster.
We may be calling out fair city Mackcastle  or North Newcastle very very soon.

For others, the mining boom has had great benefits, be it in a direct sense or a domino effect. No one would try to deny that.Prosperity relates heavily to job prospects,and heavy pockets. But when a majority of tattoed, uneducated workers declare that this place would not exist without them, someone needs to speak up and set them straight.

Live here, work here, we will tolerate you, but never EVER think that you have any say in the progress of this city, until you have lived here for a while and settled. Buy your house, pay your rates,and become a part, because before that time, your opinions do not count and your presence is not as important as you think.The privelege of opinion is only reserved for those who contribute to a community by other means then emptying the wallets, and pissing on our footpaths.A transient community should keep as silent as possible. Tourists are transient, but they just enjoy their journey without too much lip.

KHC you realy are not that important to us in Mackay. In fact, if you went back home, maybe the council would start concentrating on prettying the place up again to attract the tourist dollar, instead of spending all the council funds on fixing potholes from your bloody trucks, and allowing strip clubs on tattoo parlours on every corner to cater for thr crew.We like the money, but ,boy oh boy has this place deteriorated.