ABOUT
The Smart Transformation project brings together residents, community organisations and businesses to shape the future for Dysart and Moranbah.
HOW WE WORK
Supported by BMA since 2019, Smart Transformation has been delivering real results for Moranbah and Dysart by pursuing projects prioritised by community members on the Smart Transformation Advisory Councils (STACs).
In 2023, Smart Transformation began a new chapter, adjusting our Terms of Reference to define the purpose of the STACs as “…to help future-proof our communities of Dysart and Moranbah and make them sustainable.”
You can read our full Terms of Reference
Work continues in preparing the two towns for technological change, with major community projects identified and underway or completed.
OUR SMART TRANSFORMATION ADVISORY COUNCILS (STACs)
Our People are our strength.
We are incredibly fortunate to have a group of dedicated and generous members from both the Dysart and Moranbah communities serving as our Smart Transformation Advisory Councillors.
They come from community organisations, business, the education sector, health – and bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the table, along with a love for the communities which they call home.
Moranbah
Angela Petersen
Angela is well known through her many volunteer roles with junior sport and Moranbah Arts, while also sitting on the Board of the Country University. Her focus is to grow Moranbah and its population, by celebrating the many things which are unique to living in a smaller community.
Carolyn Fritz
Caroline is a director of Moranbah Discount Tyres and Mechanical and a board member of the Greater Whitsunday Alliance. With over 30 years in the region, Caroline wants to see a stable economic platform developed, immune to the boom bust mining cycle.
Mitchell Innes
An engagement expert, Mitchell believes communities themselves should be enabled and empowered to determine, and deliver, their own futures. Mitchell has worked with communities across the Bowen Basin for over twenty years, having held senior corporate affairs roles in some of the country’s top companies.
Melissa Westcott
A small business owner, and active community member Melissa is working as a Director of C-Res among her many roles. She sees the potential for other local businesses to grow through access to technology and global markets.
Ash Dowd
Manager of the Moranbah Community Workers Club and President of Moranbah Traders Association, Ash has been in town for 11 years. He describes the business community as “motivated” and is keen to ensure the future opportunities are realised.
Brianna Baggow
Moranbah born and bred, Brianna has been the station manager at community radio station 4RFM for two years. Looking to the future, Brianna is keen for Moranbah to become more adaptable in the face of change.
Amanda Raymond
Amanda has been a passionate volunteer in Moranbah for almost 20 years, and brings a wealth of knowledge about local community groups to her role with Smart Transformation. Keen to help a new generation of volunteers, Amanda is looking forward to advising Smart Transformation about the best ways to support community groups going forward.
Jasmine Cadd
Jasmine leads BHP’s Coal Community team, which functions across Queensland and New South Wales, with accountability for the delivery of Social Investment Plans and the company’s engagement on community issues. Jasmine brings to Smart Transformation almost two decades of community development experience gained both nationally and internationally, to support the aspirations of the Dysart and Moranbah communities.
Michelle Pole
As Principal of Moranbah State High School, Michelle has a wealth of knowledge after 32 years of working across the state with Education Queensland. She aims to prepare students for a future in the 21st century through the integration of digital technologies to maximise individual opportunities for future pathways for all students.
Vaughn Abrams
With a degree in Engineering, Vaughn joined BHP straight out of university and worked in Western Australia before making the move to the Bowen Basin over ten years ago. Now leading the first BMA site to introduce autonomous haul trucks, Vaughn has a keen interest in new technology and its application inside and outside the mine gate.
Declan Baggow
Declan is a graduate of Moranbah State High and has a passion for the town and the broader Isaac Region. He brings a youth perspective to STAC deliberations and is keen to ensure the community is strong.
Dysart
Carley McDonnell
Building a strong future for Dysart is the reason local grazier and agricultural businesswoman, Carley McDonnell has joined Smart Transformation, to look at the future for the next generation.
Sandy Moffat
Sandy describes her vision for Dysart as “liveable and loveable.” As a small business owner, parent and employer she also understands the importance of the community coming together to prepare for a changing future. Sandy believes there are many opportunities awaiting the community.
Liz Fox
As a long-term resident, community advocate and BMA employee Liz wears a number of hats. Liz believes that Dysart is strategically placed in the Bowen Basin to leverage technology changes that can deliver benefits across the community.
Richelle Toshack
In her role at the Dysart Community Support Group Richelle connects with individuals and organisations across the local community and region. From this perspective Richelle can see the positive impact effective collaborations can achieve.
Mitchell Innes
An engagement expert, Mitchell believes communities themselves should be enabled and empowered to determine, and deliver, their own futures. Mitchell has worked with communities across the Bowen Basin for over twenty years, having held senior corporate affairs roles in some of the country’s top companies.
Chris Cowan
A former Mine Controller at BMA’s Saraji Mine, Chris runs the Dysart News and Post, a major supplier to BMA. Chris has lived in Dysart since the age of one, and now with four children of his own, he’s especially invested in the region’s future – which he’ll be working on through Smart Transformation.
Seamus Taylor
Seamus owns one of Dysart’s most successful businesses, Taylored Automotive. He’s built it from the ground up over 10 years, and now has around 30 staff including seven apprentices. Through his participation in Smart Transformation, Seamus is looking to build on the community’s strengths, to encourage residents to move to Dysart.
Jacqueline Smith
A proud Dysart resident, Jacky connects with everyone in town and is excited to assist Smart Transformation support community programs and community-led social opportunities, especially for elderly residents as well as farming and mining families.
Jasmine Cadd
Jasmine leads BHP’s Coal Community team, which functions across Queensland and New South Wales, with accountability for the delivery of Social Investment Plans and the company’s engagement on community issues. Jasmine brings to Smart Transformation almost two decades of community development experience gained both nationally and internationally, to support the aspirations of the Dysart and Moranbah communities.
Sgt Tim Fahey
With a preference for rural and country policing, Tim has come to Dysart with his family as the town’s senior police officer . He’s keen to help the community in any way he can, particularly in relation to the provision of services through Smart Transformation.
Dane Nielsen
General Manager BMA Saraji Mine
Dane is the General Manager at BMA’s Saraji Mine north of Dysart. With fifteen years in the resources industry, he has seen first-hand the changes and opportunities technology can bring – opportunities he is keen to see the Dysart community access through Smart Transformation.
OUR YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) provides key input and feedback – a youth voice – to Smart Transformation. Made up of two students from Years 9 to 12 from Dysart and Moranbah State High Schools, the YAC represents the new generation of leaders, workers and planners.
The Council meets quarterly to review and advise on work being undertaken through Smart Transformation.
Membership changes annually, and nominations are available through the schools in October and November each year.
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance
BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) is Australia’s largest coal producer and supplier of seaborne metallurgical coal. Owned 50:50 by BHP and Mitsubishi Development, BMA operates seven coal mines in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, and also owns and operates the Hay Point Coal Terminal near Mackay.
Established in 2001, BMA strives to be a valued partner in the communities in which it operates, and seeks to foster meaningful, long-term relationships that respect local cultures and create lasting benefits.
BMA recognised the Fourth Industrial Revolution as a global challenge that would create both impacts and opportunities for the communities it operates in and therefore supported the establishment of the Smart Transformation Project in Dysart and Moranbah. Since its inception, BMA has provided both financial support and expertise. BMA’s Saraji Mine General Manager sits on the Dysart Smart Transformation Advisory Council and its Goonyella Riverside Mine General Manager sits on the Moranbah Smart Transformation Advisory Council; while BMA’s Manager Community sits on both.