Kirkman, Noreen Suzanne (2011) Mount Isa Mines' social infrastructure programs 1924-1963. PhD thesis, James Cook University.

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Abstract

During the twentieth century, social infrastructure programs were provided by mining companies for their workers for many reasons, such as retaining workers or reducing industrial discontent. At Mount Isa, the Isa Mines settlement was constructed by the British company Russo-Asiatic from 1928, providing housing, recreational facilities, a store and butcher's shop, bank and post-office, water and electricity supply. The American company ASARCO supplied the necessary capital to complete facilities, such as the Clubhouse, and added a hospital and a government resourced school. After 1953 under an Australian manager, George Fisher, cooperative housing schemes were used to encourage home ownership, and Mount Isa Mines promoted the business sector of the Townside through an appliance scheme and the closure of the company stores. The principal reason for all programs was found to be the reduction of labour turnover by attracting a higher proportion of married men. The home ownership schemes, in particular, strategically consolidated the local labour market for a mine with reserves that would last into the twenty-first century.

Item ID:	39437
Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Keywords:	co-operative housing societies; employee benefits; employee welfare schemes; home ownership schemes; housing; MIM; mining communities; mining history; mining settlements; Mount Isa Mines; Mt Isa; remote mining communities; social infrastructure; social welfare; welfare programs
Date Deposited:	06 Aug 2015 00:22
FoR Codes:	21 HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 2103 Historical Studies > 210303 Australian History (excl Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander History) @ 33% 12 BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND DESIGN > 1205 Urban and Regional Planning > 120502 History and Theory of the Built Environment (excl Architecture) @ 33% 22 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES > 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields > 220201 Business and Labour History @ 34%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970121 Expanding Knowledge in History and Archaeology @ 50% 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8701 Construction Planning > 870103 Regional Planning @ 50%
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