Community contributions

Rio Tinto Coal Australia (RTCA) ceased operating the Tarong Mine on Thursday 31 January 2008.

The Queensland Government has purchased the Tarong Mine and the Kunioon Deposit through the Government owned Tarong Nenergy Corporation (TEC).

TEC assumed operational control of the Tarong Mine, through Thiess Pty Ltd, on Friday 1 February 2008.

The changeover ends 24 years of reliable mining with environmental care by RTCA in the region.

RTCA is proud to leave this legacy to the South Burnett, and offers its best wishes to the new owners and operators.

Part of RTCA's legacy is the Tarong Mine Community Development Fund. Since the Tarong Mine Community Development Fund began operation in 1999 it has supported more than 90 community projects that have made very positive contributions to the development of the South Burnett.

In 2007, the Fund supported a range of programmes including:

Alternative Education Programmes
Kingaroy State High School $20,000
Nanango State High School $20,000
South Burnett Catholic College $10,000

Executive Officer
Nanango Chamber of Commerce $10,000

Traineeship
Nanango State School $10,000

South Burnett Tourism Officer
South Burnett Tourism Association $30,000

Apprenticeship and traineeships
Wide Bay Group Training Scheme $40,000

South Burnett Business Database Upgrade
Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry $3,000

Wildlife Presentation
Greening Australia $7,910

South Burnett CTC
Skills for the Future $25,000

First Aid Training
Society for Growing Plants - Kingaroy Branch $2,200

Kingaroy Peanut Festival Event Coordinator
Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry $19,000

South Burnett Enterprise Centre
Kingaroy Regional Enterprise Centre $12,500

Gymnastic Coaches and Judges
Kingaroy Gymnastics $4,000

Team South Burnett
Team South Burnett $5,000

Tourism Ambassador Training and Development Project
Kingaroy Information Art & Heritage Information $9,900

South Burnett Web Monitoring Project
Kingaroy Art & Heritage Information $3,300

Administrator
Nanango Shire Historical Society $10,000

Project Officer
Burrandowan Picnic Race Club $10,000

Wildlife Programme
Nanango Shire Council $10,000

Read our Community Development Funds Reports