Industry Spend on Social Infrastructure Tops $162 million
December 10th, 2011
Published in the Gladstone Observer
The tally of recent industry investment for social infrastructure in the Gladstone region continues to grow with recent contributions from the LNG industry for housing construction and community support plus an initial donation to the Gladstone Foundation bringing the total industry contribution to date from projects currently under construction to more than $162 million.
Sport and recreation; health and wellbeing; education, training and employment; indigenous and community facilities/services; and housing and accommodation are key target areas identified in the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Opportunities Framework. Support and project prioritisation is provided through Gladstone Regional Council’s Community Development Committee and funding is targeted through, but not limited to the Gladstone Foundation; a perpetual trust established by the Queensland Government.
Significant industry contributions in each target area include $295,900 for sport and recreation; $4.85 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 the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) project for the exciting East Shores recreational development; Gladstone Ports Corporation will contribute a further $10 million to that project; and most recently the LNG industry made an initial contribution of $13.5 million directly to the Gladstone Foundation.
The benefits for the Gladstone region’s social infrastructure will continue to grow during project construction and subsequent plant operation and it should be acknowledged that Gladstone’s existing established industries also continue to make ongoing community and social contributions.
The rolling Rio Tinto Alcan Community Fund, now in its ninth year and the ongoing significant community contributions from the Gladstone Ports Corporation for the maintenance of the Gladstone Marina community parklands and the future development of the East Shores project for the eastern bank of Auckland inlet are examples of just two Gladstone major corporate contributors, there are plenty more.
The construction that commenced in 2010/11 on four major projects will continue to provide strong opportunities for local business, industry and the community. In 2012 the construction industries will make an even greater contribution to the economic growth of the Gladstone region and establish a firm platform for the further development of the region’s social fabric.