Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan Update
December 15th, 2011
MEDIA RELEASE
The Gladstone region is growing and prospering with massive investment being made as the LNG industry advances the construction of three major multi-billion dollar projects and work has now commenced on the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) that is set to double coal exports through the Port of Gladstone over the next decade.
Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ken King indicated that when in 2010 the GEIDB facilitated a major social infrastructure planning exercise in partnership with Gladstone Regional Council and the Queensland Government the scale of current development was not envisaged.
“It was therefore timely for the GEIDB to update the modeling for the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Plan to include high series population projections recently made available from the Queensland Government’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR)” Dr King said.
The OESR 2011 high series population projections identify that the Gladstone region residential population will grow from the current level of some 63,510 peo0ple to 123,420 over the next 20 years – 2011 to 2031.
The new data represents an increase in projected population for the region of some 25,379 residents above the 2008 medium series projections used on the 2010 social infrastructure planning study.
More people resident in the Gladstone region means a greater demand for social infrastructure such as meeting spaces; playgrounds; child care; sports grounds; performing arts space; aged/community care; and medical practitioners at local, district and regional levels.
Dr King said the update has clearly identified this increased demand and will assist government, industry and the community in planning for future social infrastructure delivery.
“Most recently we have seen significant contributions totaling some $162 million from industry for specific projects in the region including an initial donation of $13.5 million to the Gladstone Foundation; a perpetual trust established by the Queensland Government.”
Current construction industry contributions to Gladstone region social infrastructure include $295,900 for sport and recreation; $4.8 million for health and wellbeing; $474,100 for education, training and employment; $836,340 for indigenous and community facilities/services; and an estimated $84.9 million for housing and accommodation.
In addition the coal industry has contributed $35 million through WICET for the exciting East Shores recreational development; Gladstone Ports Corporation will contribute a further $10 million to that project.
‘The benefits for the Gladstone region’s social infrastructure will continue to grow during project construction and subsequent plant operation and the recent update to the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan has identified further underpins community planning process in the region” Dr King said.
END
Media Contact:-
Dr Ken King
Chief Executive Officer
Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board
07 4971 2318 / 0407 140 813
ken.king@gladstoneindustry.org.au