The 2012-13 Federal Government Budget commitments confirming funding to extend the Gladstone Port Access Road and upgrade the Calliope Crossroads was welcomed by Mr Leo Zussino, Chairman of the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB).

“Gladstone is a stand-out economic success centre on Australia’s eastern sea board and deserves maximum support from all levels of government.” Mr Zussino said.

“With an installment of $11.5 million allocated to the Port Access Road and $150 million to the Calliope Crossroads together with funds totalling some $487.8 million  allocated for a range of projects on the Bruce Highway in the Federal Budget we are seeing a real commitment and recognition from the government.” he said.

Planning for these projects are well advanced with the Gladstone Ports Corporation Limited supporting the initial design phase of the Port Access Road extension and construction to commence this year on the Calliope Crossroads upgrade.

With more than 6,000 new jobs created in the Gladstone region as a result of the CSG and coal export industry development Gladstone is indeed the Queensland hotspot for industry development and job creation.  Another 2,000 jobs will be added this year taking the total to some 8,000 new construction jobs by the end of 2012.

“The investment commitments by industry for this development has always been matched by infrastructure support from government.” Mr Zussino added.

Currently including the projects announced in the Federal Budget the GEIDB has recorded a massive benefit of some $1.725 billion of government and industry contributions and commitments for new community infrastructure and services in the Gladstone region.  Together with traffic and transport this investment includes health and wellbeing; education, training and employment; sport, recreation and leisure; community facilities and services; and housing and accomodation.

END

Media Contacts:-

Lee McIvor

0448199850

Ken King

0407140813

The Gladstone region is growing and prospering with massive investment continuing to be made in major engineering construction projects as Rio Tinto Alcan finalises the expansion of their Yarwun Alumina Refinery; the LNG industry advances four major multi-billion dollar export projects; and work ramps up on the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) that when complete will double coal exports through the Port of Gladstone.

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) Chairman Mr Leo Zussino said with some $50 billion now slated for these major constructions at a level that was not envisaged only three or four years ago it was most appropriate for industry; the GEIDB; the Queensland Government; and Gladstone Region Council to focus on the continued management of social infrastructure for the Gladstone region.

“It was therefore timely for the GEIDB to recently update the modelling for the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan (SISP) to include high series population projections of the Queensland Government’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR)” Mr Zussino 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 people to 123,420 over the next 20 years 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 in the previous social infrastructure planning study released by the Queensland Government in 2010. 

Recent modelling of future economic population impacts by CQUniversity has confirmed that the Gladstone region is going through one of the most rapid growth phases of any community in Australia.  Growth projections factoring current confirmed and likely construction consider a resident population increase of some 15,000 by 2018 using a conservative jobs multiplier of 2.8.

Mr Zussino said the update to the SISP was completed in January 2012 by Buckley Vann Town Planning Consultants and Briggs & Mortar Pty Ltd; the consultants who also undertook the extensive first SISP for the region in 2009/10.

“The update indentifies that more people resident in the Gladstone region means a greater demand for social infrastructure at local, district and regional levels.  This includes facilities such as meeting spaces; playgrounds; child care; sports grounds; performing arts space; aged/community care; and human resources such as general practitioners; medical specialists; police; and emergency services personnel.”

The update has now been passed to key government agencies for feedback and to assist their planning.  The data will provide a key mechanism to also help industry, Council and the community manage future social infrastructure needs.

Mr Zussino added that current industry and government estimated commitments to Gladstone region infrastructure total over $1.725 billion including contributions for sport, recreation and leisure; health and wellbeing; education, training and employment;  indigenous and community facilities/services; and upgrades to the regional roads network with a whopping $1.35 billion for housing and accommodation, a clearly identified local need.

“In the last 12-18 months we have seen significant government and industry commitments for necessary infrastructure in the region.  The community benefits for Gladstone region’s social infrastructure will continue to grow during project construction and subsequent plant operation and the update to the Gladstone Region Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan has identified future demand and further underpins the strong Queensland Government and Council led community planning process in the region”  Mr Zussino said.

END

Media Contacts:-

Lee McIvor – 0448199850

Ken King – 0407140813

Over 5,000 new jobs have already been created in Gladstone as a result of the new CSG and coal export industry development, according to Leo Zussino, Chairman of the Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board.

“Another 2,000 jobs will be added this year taking the total to over 7,000 new construction jobs by the end of 2012” Mr Zussino said. 

“Gladstone is a stand-out economic success centre on Australia’s eastern sea board during these subdued and uncertain economic times.”

“The construction workforce for the LNG and coal projects in Gladstone will peak at over 11,000 next year and with almost a 60 percent local content in the workforce to date, significant job opportunities are available to those with the necessary skills in more depressed parts of the country” he said.

“Also, many smaller businesses in the Gladstone Region have lost staff to the export industry construction creating a strong non-construction employment market in our region” Mr Zussino added.

“Gladstone is indeed the Queensland hotspot for job creation.”

“As the accommodation facilities expand on Curtis Island and given the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET) workers accommodation at the Calliope River, housing tensions should subside during the year making it easier for new service sector and support industry workers to find reasonably priced local accommodation.

“The Gladstone Region is also benefiting from the $1.5 billion plus of government and industry funding for new community infrastructure and services” Mr Zussino concluded.

END

Media Contacts:-

Lee McIvor

0448199850

Ken King

0407140813

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

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 early work has now commenced on the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal that is set to double coal exports through the Port of Gladstone over the next decade.

Project workforces are ramping up with each of the LNG projects now employing some 2,000 people in Queensland and Bechtel preparing to accommodate a peak workforce in 2012/13 of some 7,000 on the Curtis Island construction sites.

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ken King welcomed the investment that is bringing more wealth, employment and business opportunities to the region.

Dr King said the construction projects are making significant contributions to the Gladstone community with commitments for housing construction, project mitigation and community support in line with the raft of conditions imposed on each project by both the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments.

The construction of temporary worker accommodation facilitates on Curtis Island is well advanced with first units already being occupied.  Additional temporary worker accommodation is also now being used by industry in Calliope River Road and the townships of Calliope and Benaraby.

Following government negotiation with the LNG industry 135 new dwellings in Gladstone will be fast tracked to provide immediate housing solutions.  This, together with a significant amount of new housing stock coming on to the market is providing significant relief on housing and accommodation in the Gladstone region.

At the end of the September quarter the rental vacancy rate for Gladstone provided by the REIQ was 0.7.

“Our recent research and evidence from the real estate industry indicates that the rental market has plateaued with realestate.com.au now showing 250 vacancies for the Gladstone region, equivalent to a higher vacancy rate around 2 or 3 per cent” Dr King said.

“This increase in vacancies can only be good for housing affordability and will be a great Christmas bonus for local renters who can also take advantage of Gladstone Regional Council’s Community Advisory Service that is able to provide assistance to individuals and families still under housing pressure” he said.

The LNG industry has supported this interim service together with funding for the establishment of the Gladstone Affordable Housing Company to provide up to 45 affordable rental properties in the first instance.  An LNG industry loan is also facilitating acceleration by the ULDA of the development of diverse, affordable and sustainable housing at Hill Close, Clinton.

“Housing and accommodation will continue to be a challenge but with nearly $150 million already committed in the Gladstone region to date by the new major proponents I expect that given the scale of these projects further social infrastructure investment will continue to flow from the energy and resource industries going forward” 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

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board Chairman Mr Leo Zussino welcomed the investment that is bringing more wealth and employment to the region.

Project workforces are ramping up with some 3,600 people in Queensland now working on Queensland Gas Company related business and the Queensland Curtis LNG Project alone.

Mr Zussino said the LNG industry is making a significant contribution to the Gladstone community with commitments for housing construction, project mitigation and community support in line with the raft of conditions imposed on each project by the Queensland Coordinator-General.

Following government negotiation with the LNG industry APLNG, GLNG and QCLNG have agreed to build some 180 new dwellings in Gladstone that will be fast tracked to provide immediate housing solutions during each project construction period.  The majority of out of town workers will be housed away from the community on Curtis Island.

“In addition with direct financial support from the LNG industry Gladstone Regional Council’s Community Advisory Service is able to provide assistance to individuals under housing pressure and Council is well advanced in progressing the establishment of an affordable housing program”  Mr Zussino said.

Financial support from the LNG industry has seen the installation of essential equipment at the Gladstone Regional Airport; the impending provision of a dialysis unit at the Gladstone Hospital; and is also allowing the Queensland Government to accelerate the development of diverse, affordable and sustainable housing in the region.

“Further social infrastructure investment will continue to flow from the energy and resource industries going forward” he said.

Gladstone Economic and Industry Development Board (GEIDB) Chairman Mr Leo Zussino called on the Gladstone community to present a compelling case to NBN Co to fast track their rollout of fibre broadband connections in the Gladstone region.

“We’ve all got to get behind this with Gladstone on the cusp of a major growth phase” Mr Zussino said.

NBN Co is trialing sites in Queensland now and we need to work with them and be proactive in attracting the NBN to Gladstone.

“The NBN will connect the Gladstone community and enable new services such as eEducation, eHealth and provide a quantum leap in communication opportunities for local business, industry and families.”

Mr Zussino said industry investment in the City of Gladstone topped the world in 2010 with more to come from major LNG and resource sector projects that will bring significant wealth, prosperity and employment to the region.

“The NBN rollout driven by the region’s digital economy strategies will define Gladstone as Australia’s model 21st Century industrial city and the economic powerhouse of Australia’s Eastern seaboard” he said.

Gladstone Regional Council’s involvement together with the GEIDB, the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and all economic development partners including business and industry is critical to ensure leadership in this initiative.

“The GEIDB looks forward to working with these regional partners in order to ensure that the NBN supplies fibre connections to everyone in Gladstone as essential infrastructure in a high growth region” Mr Zussino said.

Tuesday, October 05, 2010 

Planning for Gladstone’s future 

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe and Gladstone’s Acting Mayor Councillor Gail Sellers have announced the completion of the Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan (SISP) and the release of the Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework today. 

Mr Hinchliffe said the Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework would guide future industry investment in community facilities. He said a Gladstone Foundation would be established to ensure funds were allocated in a structured way. 

“The Gladstone Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan was completed some weeks ago and since then the Government has been considering its response,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said. 

“I can now announce the release of the Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework as an outcome of this study. 

“The primary purpose of this draft document is to propose, in partnership with the Gladstone Regional Council, the Gladstone community and industry, to establish a perpetual trust to be known as the Gladstone Foundation. 

“It is proposed that the Gladstone Foundation will operate for the long-term as a mechanism for managing and allocating industry contributions for the community. 

“It will regularly consider the Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework on criteria based on viability, demonstrated need and compatibility with industry requirements.’’ 

Acting Mayor Sellers said the Queensland Government’s proposal to establish the Gladstone Foundation as a regionally based pooled industry fund was essential to SISP’s success. 

“From a Gladstone Regional Council perspective I want to ensure community concerns about social impacts are properly addressed and see the Gladstone region benefit from major resource and energy projects currently in the planning stage,’’ Cr Sellers said. 

“I urge major companies to get behind the Gladstone Foundation and help to implement  investment priorities in social infrastructure across the region.’’ 

The Bligh Government is committed to the communities that will underpin this development. 

As part of this commitment, the Government joined Gladstone Regional Council in January 2009 to develop a strategic social study for Gladstone. 

Mr Hinchliffe said the Foundation would be governed by a board including community, industry and government representatives and contributions would be managed by the Queensland Public Trustee. 

He said the Foundation offered industry and the community of Gladstone the best return on contributions and investment in social infrastructure. 

The establishment of the Foundation will be supported by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning and stakeholders will now be consulted in relation to the detail of the Foundation’s creation, board and membership. 

Mr Hinchliffe said the secondary purpose of the framework was to give an indication to major project proponents planning to establish large scale development in the region. He said this direction would ensure these companies invested in social infrastructure that benefitted the community. 

“The Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework provides the private sector with a broad range of social infrastructure projects for possible investment – projects which have been identified by the local community,’’ Mr Hinchliffe said. 

“The Bligh Government is committed to building tomorrow’s Queensland and to strengthening our regions. 

“This plan puts the future of Gladstone in the hands of local people so that investment from industry reflects their needs.’’ 

The Draft Voluntary Industry Contributions Framework and the Gladstone Social Infrastructure Strategic Plan can be viewed at http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/reports/gladstone-region-social-infrastructure-strategic-plan.html