FIFO ruining towns, families: inquiry

Fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mining is killing towns in central Queensland and tearing families apart, a state parliamentary inquiry has been told.

Stories of marriage breakdowns and struggling businesses in once-thriving towns feature heavily in submissions to the Palaszczuk government's parliamentary inquiry into the impact of 100 per cent FIFO practices on regional communities.

Many of the 27 submissions have been made by mine workers or those living in resource communities.

Most say 100 per cent FIFO arrangements are discriminatory as they prevent locals from gaining employment.

"We in Mackay are being unfairly discriminated against by having to declare that our residence is within 100km of Brisbane," a miner of 37 years said.

"Since 2013 businesses have been slowly closing down due to the mining industry slow down, but having been discriminated against because of our location as far as employment is nothing short of shameful."

Another warned: "The fly-in, fly-out workforce arrangement needs to cease or it will single-handedly destroy small local businesses and townships."

There is also concern that FIFO practices are destroying families.

"This is breaking down marriages ... the dad is just a pay check coming home at the end of his round and mum and the kids are getting on with their own lives in another town," one submission said.

Some also raised concerns about suicide and depression rates associated with FIFO.

Mount Isa City Council said steps needed to be taken to ensure FIFO practices didn't adversely effect towns, and also urged the federal government to increase tax allowances to encourage people to live in regional Australia.

Only three submissions supported FIFO practices, saying it suited them.

The inquiry will make recommendations about how to best address 100 per cent FIFO arrangements to ensure strong and sustainable communities.

A final report is due by September 30.