Glenden in Queensland saved from being wiped off the map saved from demolition as Annastacia Palaszczuk intervenes

A once thriving mining town on the verge of being bulldozed has been saved at the last minute.

More than 300 homes in the central Queensland town of Glenden, 110km south-west of Mackay, were set to be bulldozed after multinational mining company Glencore announced it would halt mining operations that have existed in the area for 40 years.

During her appearance at Courier Mail’s Bush Summit in Rockhampton, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk surprised many by announcing that the town would be bailed out.

While she did not specify details, she said her government would amend the legislation to ensure the survival of the city.

Originally built in 1982 to house workers and their families from the Newlands Coal Mine, Glenden was once a bustling town with a population of over 1,300 in 2011.

Over time, however, the population has dropped dramatically to less than 500, resulting in hundreds of vacant homes as Glencore phases out mining operations in Newland.

QCoal has started construction on the Byerwen mine, which is 20 km away. However, the company plans to house its fly-in fly-out staff on site. This means they don’t need the homes in Glenden for their staff.

Towards the end of last month, Glenden received national attention as the hundreds of residents, who faced the daunting prospect of moving due to a housing crisis, became the center of attention as they fought to save their town.

Several hundred houses in Glenden now stand empty as mining giant Glencore ends its coal mining operations in Newland.

Now home to less than 500 residents, Glenden (map pictured) is now fighting for survival

Neighboring communities and towns across Queensland have joined the fight to save Glenden

Glenden’s amenities, including the local swimming pool, were at risk