Labor failing mining towns: Pearce

  EX-FITZROY MP Jim Pearce has accused the Labor Government he once served of being asleep at the wheel on the social impact of the mining boom.

Mr Pearce, who will stand for Labor against Ted Malone in the seat of Mirani at the next state election, is continuing to criticise his former colleagues in his capacity as coalfield community advocate.

He says Blackwater is at risk of being buried beneath a cloud of coal dust if the proposed Minyango mine goes ahead.

And he is continuing to hammer the government over the approval of camps which will add more non-resident workers to the population in Blackwater.

"There is no commitment from local or state governments or mining industry to get the demographic balances right in the Bowen Basin resource communities like Blackwater," he said.

"In fact, these camps and non-resident populations are being dumped on communities without any social impact studies being undertaken or commitment from government to increase the delivery of services."

There is a community meeting at 7.30pm tomorrow  at 7.30pm at the Blackwater State School Hall in Wey St.