CARDS ON THE TABLE
After hours of meetings with Adani representatives, Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Margaret Strelow and the local business community community have their collective fingers crossed as they await a decision by the Indian miner on the location of its Ca
A PLETHORA of direct and indirect job opportunities would become available for the region if Adani chose Rockhampton as the FIFO hub for its $16.5 billion Carmichael mine, rail and port project.
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Margaret Strelow said the council had worked closely with Adani around the imminent decision of the FIFO Hub, and the deal remained an absolute priority.
Cutting her planned leave short in mid-August to attend last pitch meetings with Adani decision makers, Mayor Strelow remained confident of Rockhampton’s ability to provide the Indian giant with the necessary infrastructure and business frameworks for the project.
“I understand how critically important the FIFO jobs would be for our community,” Mayor Strelow said.
“We have been heavily involved with our business community to cater to the resources sector, and showing people how to get their manuals and quality assurances up to date.
“An opportunity like this doesn’t come twice in one generation and we can’t afford not to throw everything we’ve got at it.
“If we are successful in our bid, around 1000 jobs would be injected into our community, filled by people who already live here and people that move here.
“That injection of new jobs and new people is like gold for our community.”
Rockhampton Regional Council chief executive Evan Pardon said the council continued to work with local businesses to get them ready, with forums held in Rockhampton and Gracemere.
“These forums are about helping local businesses prepare and position themselves competitively for any direct work out of Adani’s Carmichael mine project,” Mr Pardon said.
More than 50 Rockhampton businesses registered for training courses aimed at helping them do business with Adani as part of the council’s ‘Gear Up Rocky’ initiative, including a fully council-subsidised Certificate IV in small business in conjunction with the local TAFE.
The seminars provide advice on how to make the most of upcoming opportunities; including how to expand their business, partner with other businesses, and how to use online tendering platforms.
“These seminars are one of a number of initiatives being undertaken by Council as part of our Gear Up Rocky campaign with further events scheduled throughout the year including training courses, business development discussions, networking sessions and more,” Mr Pardon said.
A key factor in Adani picking a location would be based on having suitable infrastructure to cater for the hub.
Mayor Strelow said that wouldn’t be an issue, as the council-owned Rockhampton Airport was “well suited” to handle the increase in traffic Adani’s FIFO Hub would bring.
“Our runway is the third longest in the whole of QLD, so we are the diversion point for international flights if they for some reason cannot land in Cairns or Brisbane,” Mayor Strelow said.
“The capacity in our runway is not yet full utilised, as currently, airport traffic is sitting at about 600,000 passengers a year, but can cater for an annual throughput of 1.6 million passengers, as well as heavy haul aircraft such as the Antonov and Dreamliner.
“We are also about to do a $10m refurbishment of our tarmac at the airport which will give it a stronger base of stability during heavy rains or flooding.”
Mayor Strelow said that Adani’s commitment to the region was not just about Carmichael, but also other projects in the pipeline in the surrounding area.
“Everybody is really keen for the jobs that will come from Adani and other mines that will follow behind them, however it goes beyond mining; we see the opportunity for engagement with India on agriculture, solar energy and a host of other projects.
“We see Adani as both jobs for now and a handshake across from India into the Central QLD region.”
Mayor Strelow said the city owned the title deeds to Rockhampton’s water supply, which contains twice as much water as is currently used in an average year.
“It’s a huge asset for us that we can spin off into much wider opportunities as the region develops,” Mayor Strelow said.
“I look forward to the announcement, and hopefully news that we can celebrate and provide the very best services Rockhampton has to offer.”
“Airport traffic is sitting at about 600,000 passengers a year, but can cater for an annual throughput of 1.6 million.”
Jobs on the way
Rockhampton businesses are already being positively impacted by Carmichael’s development.
In June, Rockhampton-based Austrak won an $82m contract to supply more than 730,000 concrete sleepers for the construction of Adani’s 388km standard gauge rail line from the mine in central western Queensland to the company’s bulk coal handling port at Abbot Point near Bowen.
The Palaszczuk Government welcomed the announcement by Adani.
“Adani advise this contract will mean Austrak will triple its workforce to more than 80 and generate up to 30 supply chain jobs, and provide job security for the two-year life of the contract,” Member for Rockhampton and Rural Economic Development minister Bill Byrne said.
During August, representatives from Adani met with SMW Group and Coxon’s Radiators, both based in the Parkhurst Industrial Estate and completing equipment overhauls for the mining industry.
Adani Regional Content manager Ben Hughes said he was impressed with the calibre of operations that he’d seen.
“Visiting regional businesses is a real eye-opener to the capability of regional Queensland,” Mr Hughes said.
“There are fantastic businesses in places like Mackay and Rockhampton who have only grown more resilient over the past few years.
“Adani Australia are looking to partner with these kinds of businesses who offer innovative approaches and value for money.”
Apart from Adani’s footprint in the region, projects such as Carbine Resources’ Mount Morgan would create further employment opportunities.
The planned project would see the historic Mount Morgan mine revitalised into a 1.1 million tonnes per annum operation and produce 60,000 ounces of gold each year over an initial 9.5 year mine life.
“We are very excited about Carbine Resources’ Mount Morgan project opening again as the area has struggled since the mine was shuttered in the 1970s,” Mayor Strelow said.
“About 80 direct jobs will be created out of Mount Morgan which will be a huge boost for that area.”