Queensland workers want FIFO and residential options

A statewide survey of almost 2,300 mining and gas company workers has confirmed that they want the option of both residential and non-residential accommodation arrangements.

'Without both options, the survey concludes that Queensland will risk realising all the benefits from what is shaping as the biggest decade of private sector investment in the state's history,' said Queensland Resources Council Chief Executive Michael Roche.

Releasing the full report of the results from a major survey of residential and non-residential workers in the Bowen, Galilee and Surat Basins and North West Minerals Province, Mr Roche said the work was overdue in filling a significant gap in research.

'Despite plenty of speculation and misinformation about the role of non-resident workers in the resources sector, this is the first time to our knowledge that anyone has asked workers if they are satisfied with their residential arrangements,' he said.

'The answer to that is an overwhelming 'yes' with almost two-thirds of resident and non-resident workers reporting that they are happy with their current accommodation arrangements, and would not change.

'There is no material difference in satisfaction with accommodation between residential and non-residential workers.

'What this says loud and clear is that it is important for resources sector companies to be able to offer accommodation options.

'Accommodation arrangements are rated important or very important by a large majority of resource sector workers, and given that most have said that they are in their preferred accommodation, the value of employers being able to provide choice is driven home.'

Mr Roche said the surveys completed by 1,241 residential and 1,009 non-residential workers from November 2011 to January 2012 had also helped to dispel resource worker stereotyping.

'There is little difference in demography, family characteristics, or time spent in the resources sector between residential and non-residential employees.

'This suggests that different accommodation arrangements do not attract or suit a particular type of person.

'The second big surprise for some is to learn that more than 60 per cent of both residential and non-residential workers have been in the sector for five years or more.

'Single, married, with or without children - there is no stereotypical linkage between resident and non-resident workers.'

Other findings from the survey include that among residential workers, nearly half own a house elsewhere and the 72 percent renting accommodation receive an accommodation subsidy. Forty-three per cent of those receiving a rental subsidy are professional staff with 56 percent workers in operational and trade roles.

From the ranks on non-residential workers, more than 60 percent are accommodated in camps or villages close to their worksite and 70 percent of those who live in Queensland say they have permanent addresses in coastal towns. About one in 10 non-residential workers is interested in purchasing a house close to their worksite.

The surveys were processed and analysed by URS, one of Australia's leading social science research agencies.

Source: http://tiny.cc/dy0zew