Media Centre
News & Releases
home | contact us | site Map | MAC Staff
Media Centre
News & Releases
Shift Miner News
Click here to download a pdf version
September 07
Just weeks after announcing its expansion into Western Australia, mining accommodation and service provider the Mac Service Group has delivered a record net profit of $1 I.74 million for the 2006-07 financial year. That figure is 57.8 percent higher than the previous year's profit of just over $7m.
The Mac is also pleased to report that almost 60 percent of the rooms it has available for the next 12 months have been booked out in long term contracts, which is an increase from the 40 percent level it had last year.
The fact that so much of their accommodation is forward booked would say that there is no end in sight to the accommodation shortage for shift workers in Central Queensland.
While the profit result is no doubt pleasing to the company, one miner told Shift Miner Magazine that staying in temporary accommodation can be a really expensive and difficult process. How difficult and how expensive depends on which accommodation complex, and who you work for. According to the miner, some employers like BMA subsidise the cost of accommodation for their staff which also allows them to have their rooms held over. Other people, particularly contractors, have to find the full cost themselves and often need to move out everyfour days when their shift ends.
However, the miner said the cost of living in temporary accommodation was no more or less expensive than alternative housing in the coal fields.
Spokesperson for the MAC complexes, Chris Jury, said the arrangements and cost of accommodation varies across the board depending on who a particular individual is employed by.
He said he was aware of the hassle involved in moving in and out of rooms where you are unable to hold them over, and said there are lockers on site to help with this problem. Mr Jury also said there were a range of new services coming to Mac complexes that would enhance the living experience of miners staying with them.They have just opened a gym at the Coppabella complex and plan to roll out wireless broadband across all their sites which will mean miners can get online from their own room.
Currently "The Mac" has four accommodation villages in the Bowen Basin at Nebo, Dysart, Moranbah and Coppabella, with just over 3400 rooms. Construction is already underway to increase rooms to just over 5350.
Executive chairman Kevin Maloney said in a release to the stock exchange they plan to continue growing in Central Queensland. "The Mac is unique in that we offer a complete service from the purchase of land and gaining regulatory approvals, to the design, construction and management of village," he said.
The Mac recently received Anglo Coal's tender to refurbish a small number of houses in Middlemount, which they believe could grow into another 375 house refurbishment contract.
In April, The Mac launched itself on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) opening at $2.00 a share. However the market would appear to have rewarded their profit announcement with their share price at $2.10 at the time of writing this story.