Latest news with #ShaunFraser
ABC News
30-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Owners of Bowen Basin mine enter administration amid coal price slump
A mining giant in charge of a steel-making coal mine in north Queensland's Bowen Basin has entered liquidation after a series of claims totalling more than $29 million from a former contractor. It has left about 500 jobs at Bowen Coking Coal's Burton Coal Complex in doubt. Mark Holland and Shaun Fraser from restructuring firm McGrathNicol have been appointed as voluntary administrators. In a statement, they said Bowen Coking Coal's operations would continue to trade on a "business-as-usual basis while a sale and/or recapitalisation process is undertaken". "This includes the operations at the Burton Mine Complex located in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, which will continue uninterrupted," the statement said. A meeting of creditors will be held by August 8. Bowen Coking Coal bought the Burton Coal Complex, north of Moranbah, in 2021. Indonesian contractor BUMA Australia had operated the mine for the past two years, before its agreement expired on June 30, 2025, leaving the owners to oversee operations. Bowen Coking Coal advised investors it had received a letter of demand for payment of invoices totalling $15,288,017 from BUMA on June 15. In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange on Wednesday, the mine owner announced that it had failed to make arrangements with its two largest creditors, BUMA Australia and the Queensland Revenue Office (QRO). It said a decision to appoint administrators came after its request to the QRO to defer royalty payments was rejected. The company's board stated the decision "reflects the current challenging environment for the coal industry in Queensland from higher costs, lower global coal prices and higher royalty rates introduced by the Queensland government in 2022". The Queensland Resources Council said operating conditions in the coal industry had become extremely difficult. "The announcement will cause deep uncertainty for hundreds of Queensland workers and their families who face the prospect of losing their jobs if the Burton Mine closes permanently," chief executive Janette Hewson said. She said other mining companies could face similar struggles, with coal prices falling close to 17 per cent lower than they were a year ago. "Energy and production costs have risen significantly for coal producers while coal prices are stubbornly low and Queensland producers are paying the world's highest coal royalty tax rates," Ms Hewson said. BUMA Australia declined to comment.
Sky News AU
30-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
More than 500 jobs in jeopardy as Bowen Coking Coal appoints McGrathNicol Restructuring as voluntary administrator
More than 500 jobs are in jeopardy after a coal company in Queensland appointed administrators amid challenging business conditions and financial strains. Bowen Coking Coal on Wednesday appointed Mark Holland and Shaun Fraser from McGrathNicol Restructuring as administrators. It followed failed discussions with lenders and after the company could not secure a cash injection to save the business. The company said 'the current challenging environment for the coal industry' due to higher costs and lower global coal prices had led to its collapse. It also said the Queensland government's progressive royalty structure - which was imposed in 2022 - had hurt the company's bottom line. Bowen appointing administrators follows the Queensland Revenue Office rejecting the company's submission for these royalty payments to be deferred. 'The decision to appoint administrators is very disappointing,' the company said in a statement to the ASX. Bowen had opened its Burton mine, located about 160kms east of Mackay, in 2022, but the administrators may now sell the asset. 'The Burton Mine Complex is a quality asset, and management has been successful in delivering operational improvements that have seen the company transform Burton into one of the most productive and low-cost metallurgical coal mines in Australia,' Bowen said. 'The administration process is expected to provide a window which will allow for a sale or recapitalisation to be completed.' The voluntary administrator confirmed it has taken control of the company and will ensure it continues to operate until next steps can be determined. 'The Administrators have assumed control of the BCB Group's operations and intend to continue trading on a 'business as usual' basis while a sale and/or recapitalisation process is undertaken,' McGrathNicol Restructuring said. 'This includes the operations at the Burton Mine Complex located in the Bowen Basin of Queensland, which will continue uninterrupted.' Bowen stopped trading on the ASX in June. Its share price had plummeted from almost $40 in early 2022 to seven cents when it halted trading. In June, Bowen warned it would be forced to halt operations if market conditions did not improve. The coal operation's collapse comes as Australia's heavy industry continues to struggle under high power prices, which has forced many plants to beg for government handouts. Nickel smelter Glencore recently revealed it is on the brink of collapse in a threat to 17,000 jobs. Rio Tinto-owned Tomago, which is Australia's largest aluminium producer, is seeking billions of dollars from the federal and NSW governments amid high power prices and as cost-effective and consistent renewables remain largely unavailable. Two Australian smelters owned by international minerals and metals producer Nyrstar are also under threat and the local CEO has begged various state and federal governments for a handout as losses mount to "tens of millions a month".
The Herald Scotland
01-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
It is time that campervan users are taxed off the NC500
Cross the Rockies from Calgary to Vancouver in Canada and the roads and campsites are absolutely full of them, mainly driven by overseas tourists with all the time in the world on their hands. Over there, they are very much welcomed, although there will undoubtedly be some grumbles from locals who are constantly stuck behind them, To be fair, the main road through the Rockies is pretty decent and there are plenty of places to overtake. But it is a very different situation in Scotland where campervans are treated as public enemy number one, particularly by people who live along the NC500. It is easy to understand why they are so controversial. For a start, the NC500 is not equipped to deal with campervans, particularly the famed Bealach na Ba from Lochcarron to the Applecross peninsula. It is a nerve-wracking series of hairpin bends straight up the hill and it is scary enough when you only have cars coming the other way to worry about. But despite signs at the bottom that state clearly the road is not suitable, many campervan drivers take the risk which is as stupid as it is selfish. It is not just the Bealach na Ba, though, where campervans are causing misery for locals, it is along the entire route - one which just isn't set up for such mass tourism with its sharp bends and single lanes. Glorious it may be but driving it comes with responsibility and that is where many campervan users let themselves down. To be blunt, locals have simply had enough of them and it is hard to argue against them. Read more Alan Simpson Last week, the Labour candidate for the Inverness & Nairn constituency at next year's Holyrood election proposed a tourist tax on campervans visiting the Highlands. Shaun Fraser said the roads 'cannot cope' with the huge increase in traffic in recent years. He said the move would form part of a 'fair and well–designed' visitor levy to help maintain roads and fund public services stretched by surging tourist numbers. The Highlands have seen a dramatic increase in motorhome tourism in recent years, with Highland Council estimating that nearly 36,000 campervans toured the region in 2022 alone. That has led to a surge in complaints about congestion, illegal overnight parking, and waste being dumped. Residents on the NC500 route have reported damaged verges, blocked passing places and overfilled bins during peak season. Highland Council estimates a 5% levy on overnight accommodation could raise £10 million a year — with that figure rising further if a charge on campervans is included. The council held a four–month public consultation on its draft scheme earlier this year and is now considering the feedback ahead of a full council vote. If approved, the levy could come into force by winter 2026 - the earliest permitted under legislation passed by Holyrood last year. That law, the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act, gives local authorities the power to impose a charge on overnight tourist stays and spend the revenue on services that support tourism. While the levy must be used to fund tourism–related improvements, critics have warned it must not be used to replace core funding lost through years of cuts. Scottish Labour has long supported the introduction of a visitor levy and backed the legislation at Holyrood. The party says councils should be empowered to design their own schemes and use the money to improve facilities for both residents and visitors. However, it was recently criticised by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who described it as a tax on 'ordinary working people'. Mr Fraser said: 'Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural single–track Highland roads. "Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing.' "Highland communities and local services must benefit from tourism. I support a fair and well–designed visitor levy and sensible measures to manage the impact of campervans. 'I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads. I think that this should be considered.' While this may sound draconian, it is certainly well worth considering. Anyone who has driven the NC500, or at least parts of it, particularly in Wester Ross and Sutherland, can see the road is not suitable for such a vast amount of campervans. And with the rise of social media sites such as Instagram fuelling people's desires to get the best pics at beauty spots that regularly feature then the situation is not going to get any better. Any revenue raised that pays for better facilities and road improvements would be welcomed by pretty much everyone. For those put off by the levy, then they probably weren't the type to go and act responsibly anyway. Like everything else, it is not the campervans fault entirely, but the people who drive them and their passengers. They are to blame for the state of the place and there is absolutely no excuse for behaving like savages just because the area is beautiful but remote. They would be the first ones to complain if folk from the Highlands travelled down to their local park, left litter and human waste lying about and parked up on a path for days. Obviously, the good folk of the Highlands wouldn't dream of doing such a thing so why do people from urban areas think it's fair game? It is a good idea to tax them, in my opinion, in fact it should be extremely expensive so that it deters many people. Maybe training courses should also be mandatory, educating people on the right way to drive and behave generally when travelling on rural roads. Tourism is the main economic driver of the Highlands but it is in severe danger of becoming over-visited. It is no longer just a summer thing, but now lasts throughout the year thanks to initiatives such as the NC500. But there is a tipping point and we are probably nearly there already as many of the remotest areas become swamped and can no longer cope. Visitors all have a responsibility when they are on holiday and anything that can deter the irresponsible ones should be welcomed - by everyone.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Calls for campervan tax in the Scottish Highlands amid claims roads ‘can't cope' with traffic
Calls have been made for a campervan tax in the Scottish Highlands amid claims that roads 'cannot cope' with increased tourist traffic. A Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn for next year's Holyrood election has floated the idea of a tourist tax that specifically targets campervans being driven in the area. The candidate, Shaun Fraser, said that roads can no longer handle the surge of traffic in the Highlands, much of which is on the popular driving route, the North Coast 500 (NC500). Tourists flock to the 516-mile 'superloop' each year to drive among some of Scotland's most magnificent scenery as it weaves past glens, mountains, castles and coastline. The NC500 follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, through Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-shire. Motorhome tourism has become popular along this route, with campervans making it easy to stop in off-grid locations with the essentials they need when shops or accommodation become scarce. The Highland Council estimated that nearly 36,000 campervans toured the historic and mountainous region in 2022 alone. However, with the surge in visitors has come an uptick in complaints from local residents over damaged verges, blocked passing spaces and overfilled bins, The Herald reported. Mr Fraser told the newspaper he wants to see a campervan tax introduced that would form part of a 'fair and well-designed' visitor levy to help maintain roads and boost public services. The Labour candidate continued: 'Tourism is a key aspect of the Highland economy, and it is important that we are sensitive the the introduction of such a scheme, but there has been a 65 per cent increase in tourist numbers since 2012 and local infrastructure has not kept up with these demands.' 'Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural single-track Highland roads. Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing.' 'I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads.' Proposals for tourist taxes are not unheard of in the Highlands, as the Highland Council have already started a consultation process of introducing a visitor levy in the region. The Highlands are joined by Scotland's two major cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, in working their way through consultations to introduce a visitor levy. The Visitor Levy Act became law in September 2024, which allows councils in Scotland to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. While Glasgow is still making its way through the consultation stage, Edinburgh voted in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. The Highland Council's visitor levy proposal would also see a charge that would apply to overnight accommodation to improve infrastructure, such as roads and public toilets, that incur wear and tear due to tourism. With more than six million people visiting the picturesque Highlands annually, the Highland Council calculated the tax could bring in between £5m and £10m a year. If approved, the Highlands' tourist tax could also be implemented by 2026.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Calls for campervan tax in the Scottish Highlands amid claims roads ‘can't cope' with traffic
Calls have been made for a campervan tax in the Scottish Highlands amid claims that roads 'cannot cope' with increased tourist traffic. A Scottish Labour candidate for Inverness and Nairn for next year's Holyrood election has floated the idea of a tourist tax that specifically targets campervans being driven in the area. The candidate, Shaun Fraser, said that roads can no longer handle the surge of traffic in the Highlands, much of which is on the popular driving route, the North Coast 500 (NC500). Tourists flock to the 516-mile 'superloop' each year to drive among some of Scotland 's most magnificent scenery as it weaves past glens, mountains, castles and coastline. The NC500 follows the main roads along the coastal edges of the North Highlands of Scotland, through Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-shire. Motorhome tourism has become popular along this route, with campervans making it easy to stop in off-grid locations with the essentials they need when shops or accommodation become scarce. The Highland Council estimated that nearly 36,000 campervans toured the historic and mountainous region in 2022 alone. However, with the surge in visitors has come an uptick in complaints from local residents over damaged verges, blocked passing spaces and overfilled bins, The Herald reported. Mr Fraser told the newspaper he wants to see a campervan tax introduced that would form part of a 'fair and well-designed' visitor levy to help maintain roads and boost public services. The Labour candidate continued: 'Tourism is a key aspect of the Highland economy, and it is important that we are sensitive the the introduction of such a scheme, but there has been a 65 per cent increase in tourist numbers since 2012 and local infrastructure has not kept up with these demands.' 'Initiatives such as the North Coast 500 have transformed the dynamics of Highland tourism, with a huge rise in campervans using rural single-track Highland roads. Our roads cannot cope with this. It is a mixed blessing.' 'I would be open to looking at options attached to campervans, including number plate recognition to charge visiting campervans using Highland roads.' Proposals for tourist taxes are not unheard of in the Highlands, as the Highland Council have already started a consultation process of introducing a visitor levy in the region. The Highlands are joined by Scotland's two major cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, in working their way through consultations to introduce a visitor levy. The Visitor Levy Act became law in September 2024, which allows councils in Scotland to tax overnight accommodation if they wish to do so. While Glasgow is still making its way through the consultation stage, Edinburgh voted in January to add a five per cent surcharge on visitors' overnight stays by 2026. The Highland Council's visitor levy proposal would also see a charge that would apply to overnight accommodation to improve infrastructure, such as roads and public toilets, that incur wear and tear due to tourism. With more than six million people visiting the picturesque Highlands annually, the Highland Council calculated the tax could bring in between £5m and £10m a year.
