Gladstone Benefits from Industry Spend on Social Infrastructure
October 24th, 2011
Published in the Gladstone News Weekly
Major engineering projects in Queensland with plants currently under construction in the Gladstone region represent a total financial investment of some $55 billion. Add to this another $30 billion of proposed projects for Gladstone including the recently announced Aldoga Power Station and the future for the region is truly outstanding.
These projects will bring major growth, economic development and employment plus significant industry contributions for social infrastructure resulting in positive outcomes for the local community. A tally of recent industry investment for social infrastructure in the Gladstone region totals in excess of $75 million.
Examples include LNG industry contributions of $4.85 million towards health and wellbeing projects that include 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.
Safe operation of the Gladstone Regional Airport is a priority and the valuable LNG industry contribution of $10.5 million will allow the installation of an instrument landing system at the airport to ensure it is weather proofed for future operation.
Other significant industry commitments to social infrastructure 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; $2.1 million to Gladstone Regional Council to provide accommodation support services for vulnerable individuals and families; and $45 million from the Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal project and Gladstone Ports Corporation to the exciting Eastern Shores development that will provide significant community amenity.
The benefits for the Gladstone region’s social infrastructure will grow during project construction and subsequent plant operation. Gladstone’s existing industries continue to make ongoing community and social contributions.
Community Contributions from Industry Improve Gladstone’s Social Infrastructure
October 22nd, 2011
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. Continue Reading »
Relief in Sight for Gladstone Region Housing and Accommodation
September 28th, 2011
Media Release 28 November 2011
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. Continue Reading »
Energy and Resource Industry Investments Bring Prosperity to Gladstone
June 30th, 2011
Gladstone is growing and prospering with massive investment now being made as the LNG industry proponents advance each of their projects and the resource industries in the region continue to grow.
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.
National Broadband Network Essential for Gladstone’s Growth
June 29th, 2011
Ensuring access to the National Broadband Network (NBN) is a key initiative for the Gladstone region.
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.
Port and Land – Gladstone’s greatest assets
June 18th, 2011
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. Continue Reading »
Planning for Gladstone growth
June 11th, 2011
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. Continue Reading »
Three decades of planning for Gladstone growth
May 14th, 2011
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. Continue Reading »
Planning and partnerships underpin growth and development
April 16th, 2011
Published in the Gladstone Observer
The resource industries boom in Gladstone and Central Queensland will inevitably result in growth and development that will deliver increased prosperity, sustainable job opportunities and improvements to our quality of life.
Two major projects in the emerging CSG to LNG export industry have been sanctioned by the proponents for final investment and others are under consideration. The future investment for this industry in the Gladstone region is significant and measured in many billions of dollars. Continue Reading »
Plans and partnerships essential for growth and development
April 9th, 2011
Published in the Gladstone News Weekly
The current resource industries boom in Gladstone and Central Queensland will result in additional growth and development delivering increased prosperity and job opportunities.
Two major projects in the emerging CSG to LNG export industry have been sanctioned by the proponents for final investment and others are under consideration. The future investment for this industry in the Gladstone region is significant and measured in many billions of dollars. Continue Reading »