Mt Isa Deputy Mayor, Phil Barwick has been appointed the new Chair of the Board of the Australian Mining Cities Alliance (AMCA).
In a statement, the AMCA said Mr Barwick had been a strong and active supporter of AMCA in its formative years.
“It is truly an honour to have been appointed and I look forward to tackling the many issues that AMCA has identified on behalf of mining communities around the nation. Issues like housing affordability, the impacts of large non-residential workforces, health and other critical service standards and the cost of air travel are just some of the many challenges we face. We have a strong Board and now have in place solid plans for our future advocacy,” Mr Barwick said.
Isaac Regional Council Mayor, Anne Baker (pictured, right), has been appointed to serve as Deputy Chair.
“We’ve been fighting and advocating as a Council for many years on the needs of our mining communities, but I see great strength in working with like Councils in an alliance. AMCA is the vehicle for us to collaboratively advocate at a national level. I look forward to working with Phil Barwick and the rest of the Board to make a positive difference for the people who live in mining cities and regions,” she said.
The new appointees succeed the former Chair, Mayor of City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, John Bowler, who continues as a Founding Director of AMCA.
Incoming Chair, Mr Barwick praised the outgoing Chair for his vision and efforts with AMCA.
“John has worked hard over the four years to leave AMCA a very solid and active advocacy unit for mining communities. Anne and all the Directors and myself look forward to continuing John’s work,” he said.
