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

Adoption of fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) or commute work systems in the Western Au stralian mining industry has increased rapidly over the last decade, with m etropolitan Perth becoming the main source of labour and the base for major mining supply and service companies in the state. This situation has led t o increasing concern on the part of many regional authorities about the los s of local benefits through 'fly-over' effects, and implications for region al development in their smaller resource-based communities. To date, the st ate 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 fut ure action.