GEIDB » Industry News Column

Social Infrastructure Strategic Planning Outcomes for the Gladtone Region Community

liz — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:28:38 +0000

Published in the Gladstone News

When coordinated well locally, construction logistics provides a significant opportunity for project cost savings plus considerable regional economic benefit with a lasting social and economic infrastructure development legacy for the Gladstone region and community.

From 2009 key focus for the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) has been the coordination and facilitation in partnership with the Gladstone Regional Council (GRC) and the Queensland Government of the finalisation and implementation of the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Strategic Planning Study.

The Study and associated Draft Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure – Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework that was released in October 2010 by the then Queensland Minister for Infrastructure and Planning provided a comprehensive review and audit of regional social infrastructure and a set of priorities and actions that have been incorporated by Council into their community planning process through their establishment of the Gladstone Region Community Development Committee.

In addition the Queensland Government has established the Gladstone Foundation to focus on industry funding opportunities to support the development of social infrastructure services and facilities in theGladstone region. To date the LNG industry has committed an initial $13.5 million to the Foundation. Further industry and government contributions are targeted to increase the leverage of this bold new model aimed to provide a significant social infrastructure perpetual fund for theGladstone region.

This important cooperative body of work and the ongoing implementation of the SISP in partnership with government, industry and the community will help ensure social infrastructure provision is achieved in a planned and timely manner in order that theGladstonecommunity can continue to enjoy an enviable quality lifestyle.

The modelling for the SISP that was benchmarked with extensive community consultation was predicated on medium series Queensland Government population projections for theGladstoneregion. Most recently the GEIDB has updated the model with high series population data that predicts a doubling in the current regional population to some 123,000 people by 2031. The SISP update has been circulated to key regional stakeholders for their ongoing review of social infrastructure planning for theGladstoneregion.

The GEIDB in consultation with industry and government estimates that current infrastructure investment support and commitment in theGladstoneregion since 2010 now totals some $1.725 billion. Whilst the lion’s share of this total has been facilitated by Local, State and Commonwealth Government the industry contributions and commitments are not insubstantial totalling some $164 million. There is a clear focus on social infrastructure including affordable housing and accommodation; upgrades in education infrastructure; sport and recreation facilities; and health and wellbeing facilities and services. The growing Gladstone regional community is reaping the benefits of this planning and investment as summarised in the table.

Current Gladstone Region Industry, Government and Community Infrastructure Investment Contributions and Commitments
Infrastructure Item/Opportunity	Investment
Recreational and Sporting Facilities/Services	$2,825,455
Cultural Facilities/Services	$1,000
Multicultural Facilities/Services	$10,000
Indigenous Facilities/Services	$25,240
Community Facilities/Services	$79,044,645
Education, Training and Employment	$39,095,563
Youth Facilities/Services	$18,000
Health and Wellbeing	$4,850,000
Traffic and Transport	$233,983,333
Children’s and Family Facilities/Services	$124,866
Housing and Accommodation	$1,351,460,000
Aged Person’s Facilities/Services	$50,000
Disability Facilities/Services	$17,400
GladstoneFoundation	$13,500,000
Total Contributions/Commitments	$1,725,005,502

In its second decade of operation the GEIDB has continued to play a key strategic local role in facilitating large scale industrial development in the Gladstone region whilst focusing on and advocating for the Gladstone community. The role and focus of the GEIDB has been essential as Gladstone becomes the powerhouse of the Eastern seaboard of Australia and realises the GEIDB vision for Gladstone, Queensland as Australia’s model 21^st Century industrial location.

The GEIDB provides ongoing project and economic update at www.gladstoneindustry.org.au and welcomes your contributions and comments via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au

Dr Ken King

Chief Executive Officer

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board

Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Investment Contributions and Commitments Update

liz — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:16:47 +0000

Published in the Gladstone Observer

Current Gladstone Region Industry, Government and Community Infrastructure Investment Contributions and Commitments
Infrastructure Item/Opportunity	Investment
Recreational and Sporting Facilities/Services	$2,825,455
Cultural Facilities/Services	$1,000
Multicultural Facilities/Services	$10,000
Indigenous Facilities/Services	$25,240
Community Facilities/Services	$79,044,645
Education, Training and Employment	$39,095,563
Youth Facilities/Services	$18,000
Health and Wellbeing	$4,850,000
Traffic and Transport	$233,983,333
Children’s and Family Facilities/Services	$124,866
Housing and Accommodation	$1,351,460,000
Aged Person’s Facilities/Services	$50,000
Disability Facilities/Services	$17,400
GladstoneFoundation	$13,500,000
Total Contributions/Commitments	$1,725,005,502

The GEIDB provides ongoing project and economic update at www.gladstoneindustry.org.au and welcomes your contributions and comments via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au

Dr Ken King

Chief Executive Officer

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board

Government and Industry Infrastructure Investment Commitments Top $1.5 Billion!

liz — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:39:09 +0000

Published – Gladstone News Weekly – February 2012

At the end of 2011 the tally of industry investment for social infrastructure in the Gladstone region following final investment decisions for construction projects totalled more than $162 million.

This included commitments for the Gladstone Foundation and key target areas identified in the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Planning Study and Opportunities Framework.

In 2012 these valuable industry contributions will continue to grow with QGC recently announcing $308,000 for Gladstone region community projects and $12 million to support the Gladstone region roads network.

In addition State and Commonwealth Government commitments have been provided to facilitate specific infrastructure projects such as the Gladstone Port Access Road ($50 million); the Calliope Crossroads upgrade ($150 million); and affordable housing facilitated through the Urban Land Development Authority ($1.18 billion). This together with Local Government commitments brings the current total to more than $1.5 billion.

The individual government and industry commitments are shown in the table below. In line with long term planning for the Gladstone region the community infrastructure and services contributions summarised in the table includes investment in facilities and services for recreation and sport; health and wellbeing; education, training and employment; environmental, family and youth care; plus multicultural and indigenous support.

Gladstone Region Government and Industry Infrastructure Investment Commitments
Infrastructure Item/Opportunity	Investment
Housing	$1,188,490, 000
Transport Infrastructure	$223, 550,000
Community Infrastructure and Services	$144, 894,328
Total Contribution/Commitment	$1,556,934,328

These commitments reflect the significant economic and social benefits for the Gladstone region with some $30 billion of projects currently under construction and a further $30 billion in the pipeline. Investment in project construction, infrastructure and future operations provides a firm platform for the further development of the region and its vibrant community with the creation of in excess of 20,000 local job opportunities.

The Gladstone region is certainly a key investment and job creation centre for both Queensland and Australia.

Government and Industry Infrastructure Investment commitments Top $1.5 billion

liz — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:34:40 +0000

Published – Gladstone Observer

At the end of 2011 the tally of industry investment for social infrastructure in the Gladstone region following final investment decisions for construction projects totalled more than $162 million.

This included commitments for the Gladstone Foundation and key target areas identified in the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Planning Study and Opportunities Framework.

Gladstone Region Government and Industry Infrastructure Investment Commitments
Infrastructure Item/Opportunity	Investment
Housing	$1,188,490, 000
Transport Infrastructure	$223, 550,000
Community Infrastructure and Services	$144, 894,328
Total Contribution/Commitment	$1,556,934,328

The Gladstone region is certainly a key investment and job creation centre for both Queensland and Australia.

Industry Spend on Social Infrastructure Tops $162 million

liz — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:34:31 +0000

Gladstone News Weekly – Published 17 December 2011

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 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.

The Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) is an essential facilitation point for industry, the community and government and GEIDB members meet regularly with project proponents. The GEIDB provides ongoing project and economic update and welcomes your comments and contributions through direct contact or via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au

Industry Spend on Social Infrastructure Tops $162 million

liz — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Published in the Gladstone Observer

Community Contributions from Industry Improve Gladstone’s Social Infrastructure

liz — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 01:06:16 +0000

Published in the Gladstone Observer

It might not be as evident in the suburbs of Brisbane, Cairns or the Gold Coast, but a big rebound in economic growth is under way in Queensland, dominated by more than $75 billion worth of engineering construction work.

Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook for the September Quarter found Queensland’s engineering construction had seen a “stunning surge’’ with more than $38 billion worth of projects now under way and a further $37.5 billion in the pipeline.

“Spending by corporates on capacity expansion is already a bigger share of the economy than it was just ahead of the global financial crisis, and the lead that Queensland has on this measure is already bigger than it was back then,’’ the report said.

It said big projects currently under way included the $16.2 billion GLNG project under construction by Santos and its partners, with the processing facility on Curtis Island due for commissioning by late 2015; the $15 billion Queensland Curtis LNG project; the $1.9 billion second stage of the Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun alumina refinery; and the $20 billion Australia Pacific LNG project.

Add to this the recent $2.5 billion financial close for Stage 1 of the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) and possibly another $20 billion in due course for the Arrow Energy LNG project, the future for Queensland and Gladstone is outstanding.

These projects bring major growth and economic development to the Gladstone region which includes community contributions from industry for social infrastructure to date that totals in excess of $75 million.

Recent LNG industry contributions towards health and wellbeing projects total $4.85 million for the permanent establishment of a renal dialysis centre at the Gladstone Hospital; the refurbishment of the hospital’s 35 year old operating theatre and high dependency unit; the establishment of a medical education and training unit; the provision of midwifery scholarships; and funding for Gladstone Rotary Club to provide a hospital shuttle service between Gladstone and Rockhampton.

An LNG industry contribution of $10.5 million to the Gladstone Regional Council will allow the installation of an instrument landing system at the airport to ensure it is weather proofed and safer for future operation.

Other significant industry commitments include $19.5 million from the LNG industry to help establish the Gladstone Housing Company that will target development of affordable housing in the region; and a $45 million contribution from WICET and the Gladstone Ports Corporation to the exciting Eastern Shores project that will provide significant community amenity.

The benefits for the Gladstone region’s social infrastructure will continue to grow following the investment in project construction and subsequent plant operation. Gladstone’s existing industries continue to make ongoing community and social contributions.

The Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) is an essential facilitation point for industry, the community and government and GEIDB members meet regularly with project proponents. The GEIDB board meets bimonthly to provide additional scrutiny and focus on major projects slated for development in the region.

Port and Land – Gladstone’s greatest assets

Sandra — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 04:45:18 +0000

Published in the Gladstone Observer

The Port of Gladstone and the land set aside by the Queensland Government for future large scale industry development and associated infrastructure are key assets fundamental to Gladstone’s development.

The Port of Gladstone’s major cargo of today, coal, was first handled in 1925 at Auckland Point. In the early 1950s the port commenced its transformation from a declining primary industry export base to the world class multi trade export centre it is today.

In 1954 the port pioneered bulk coal handling in Queensland. Not only did it develop the facilities, but opted to operate them – a role it continues today on a vastly expanded scale. The Port of Gladstone is the largest port in Queensland, the fourth largest in Australia, home to the world’s fifth largest coal export port and supports industrial giants in the region that currently include Rio Tinto Alcan, Cement Australia and Orica Australia.

In 2009-10 30% of Queensland’s exports by tonnage carried by sea were traded through the Port of Gladstone. By value, this trade represented 20% of Queensland’s exports and 4.4% of Australia’s exports. The port provides essential infrastructure for the region, for Queensland and for Australia and is fundamental to the development of industry and critical to the emerging CSG to LNG industry.

In 1991, the Queensland Government initiated the Gladstone Industrial Land Study (GILS) to identify appropriate areas for future industrial development meeting acceptable engineering, environmental and social criteria. The Study gave detailed consideration to a number of areas before concluding that approximately 6800 hectares of land at Aldoga was an appropriate site for future long term industrial development. In December 1993, the Government declared this area to be Queensland’s first State Development Area.

A detailed Corridor Study defined the route for a Materials Transportation and Services Corridor (MTSC) and in December 1997, the Government declared the existing State Development Area at Aldoga; the MTSC and a surrounding buffer area; and the Yarwun Industrial Estate to be the Gladstone State Development Area (GSDA).

Subsequent land use and planning studies through to the current time have resulted in improved connectivity and additional land in the GSDA including most recently the Curtis Island industry and environmental management precincts. The GSDA now totals 28,000 hectares under the management of a development scheme to provide one of the most significant land resources for future large scale industry development in both Queensland and Australia.

The Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) has had a key role in the management, ongoing development, operation and promotion of the GSDA however it is the vision of the Port of Gladstone and the Queensland Government with the link between port and land that has positioned Gladstone as the powerhouse of Australia’s eastern seaboard and its 21^st Century industrial city.

The GEIDB provides project development summary update at www.gladstoneindustry.org.au and welcomes your comments and contributions through direct contact or via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au

Planning for Gladstone growth

Sandra — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 04:55:34 +0000

Published in the Gladstone News Weekly

The Port of Gladstone and the Gladstone State Development Area provides key infrastructure for the region, for Queensland and for Australia. In 2009-10 30% of Queensland’s exports by tonnage carried by sea were traded through the Port of Gladstone. By value, this trade represented 20% of Queensland’s exports and 4.4% of Australia’s exports. The 50 year rolling strategic plan for the Port focuses on future investment that will see significant growth of this trade.

Gladstone is certainly Queensland’s major industrial location with established world class industries and infrastructure developed as part of a range of long term, well planned strategies developed in consultation with regional stakeholders and the local community. Every approved major industry development requires extensive community consultation.

The plans and strategies developed for Gladstone over the last three decades provided the essential platform that allowed Gladstone to welcome and appropriately locate the LNG industry as part of the region’s future development. This industry will be of significant benefit to the Gladstone community providing construction employment, operational jobs and legacy infrastructure and is a key part of Gladstone’s future growth plan.

Current growth challenges for government, industry and the community include housing, health, transport logistics and skills. There have been some recent announcements in these areas and the planning is ongoing. Satisfying demand for services and social infrastructure including affordable housing is being addressed as a priority by government in partnership with the LNG industry.

Planning for growth progresses the economy, provides jobs, delivers services, benefits the community and will improve the amenity as Gladstone becomes the powerhouse of Australia’s eastern seaboard and its 21^st Century industrial city.

The GEIDB provides project development summary update at www.gladstoneindustry.org.au and welcomes your comments and contributions through direct contact or via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au

Three decades of planning for Gladstone growth

Sandra — Sat, 14 May 2011 06:02:57 +0000

Published in the Gladstone Observer

Regional planning for growth and development is not a lot different from planning for business growth. Both have risks but having a clearly defined long term strategy is the key to achieving sustainable growth.

Government, industry and the Gladstone community have been successfully planning for growth in the region for many years. Local government plans, State government plans, Port of Gladstone plans, community and industry plans have been the major drivers for more than three decades.

State, local and federal government foresight and support brought resource and energy industries to the region providing sustainable employment opportunities together with economic infrastructure development.

The future mould was set in the 1960s and 70s with the establishment of the first alumina refinery, now QAL and the decision to build Queensland’s largest power station, now operated by NRG. The latter allowed the development of Australia’s largest aluminium smelter at Boyne Island, BSL.

In the 1980s and into the 1990s a focus on land planning for future large scale industry saw the establishment of the Gladstone State Development Area and the planned industry development resulted in Cement Australia, Orica Australia and most recently the construction by Rio Tinto Alcan of the region’s second world scale alumina refinery at Yarwun.

The Port of Gladstone provides key infrastructure for the region, for Queensland and for Australia. In 2009-10 30% of Queensland’s exports by tonnage carried by sea were traded through the Port of Gladstone. By value, this trade represented 20% of Queensland’s exports and 4.4% of Australia’s exports. The 50 year rolling strategic plan for the Port focuses on investment that will see significant future growth of this trade.

Gladstone is certainly Queensland’s major industrial location with established world class industries and infrastructure developed as part of a range of long term, well planned strategies developed in consultation with regional stakeholders and the local community. Every approved industry development requires extensive community consultation.

The GEIDB provides project development summary update at www.gladstoneindustry.org.au and welcomes your comments and contributions through direct contact or via email at info@gladstoneindustry.org.au