“It’s Allowed Moranbah To Have A Voice”

In the Bowen Basin, the people of Moranbah and Dysart - two communities central to BHP’s Queensland mining operations – are having their voices be heard by a multi-billion-dollar company.

Home to the new Smart Transformation Advisory Council (STAC), a community-led forum that brings together BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) with community representatives, these two towns are helping the major company navigate the opportunities and impacts of what they call the “fourth industrial revolution”.

Moranbah State School Principal, Anthony Edwards said the forum is providing an avenue for the whole community to impact the direction of Moranbah’s future.

“I think the big thing that Smart Transformation has achieved is bringing community members to the table and to the conversation,” he said.

Since it began in 2019, the Smart Transformation Advisory Council has delivered several important outcomes for Dysart and Moranbah.

It saw the introduction of the Digital Connectivity Project, which is enhancing digital connectivity to both towns in a jointly funded by BHP and Telstra effort.

It initiated a new skills and training project, where an innovative new Careers Navigator role was established as part of the Queensland Future Skills Partnership. And it’s seen the establishment of the Isaac Childcare Leadership Alliance to help improve access to childcare - underpinned by a $1m commitment from BHP over two years.

Moranbah Discount Tyres & Mechanical Owner and Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3) Director, Carolyn Fritz said the variety of voices helps to distil the core community needs.

“It’s very important to bring those voices all together and understand the real and basic requirements that the community and business owners alike, need and value,” she said.

“It’s amazing BHP are willing to listen to that.”

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