Fly-in/Fly-out and Fly-over: mining and regional development in Western Australia

Abstract

Adoption of fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) or commute work systems in the Western Australian mining industry has increased rapidly over the last decade, with metropolitan Perth becoming the main source of labour and the base for major mining supply and service companies in the state. This situation has led to increasing concern on the part of many regional authorities about the loss of local benefits through 'fly-over' effects, and implications for regional development in their smaller resource-based communities. To date, the state government has paid little attention to these issues, but, at the same time, the regions have done relatively little to help themselves. The paper explores the reasons for the growth of this work system, the nature of the regions' concerns, the measures taken to address them, and options for future action.