New Chair and Deputy Chair appointed

The Board of the Australian Mining Cities Alliance (AMCA) has appointed a new Chair.  Councillor Phil Barwick of Mount Isa has taken up the role.  Phil is Deputy Mayor of Mount Isa City Council and has 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.” he said.

Mayor Anne Baker of Isaac Regional Council 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, the Hon John Bowler (Mayor of City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder) who continues as a Founding Director and has lead admirably as inaugural Chair of AMCA since its formation in 2017.

Incoming Chair Phil Barwick praised the outgoing Chair for his vision and his efforts to get AMCA to where it is at today. “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.