TRADIES BRACE FOR FNQ BOOM

Building industry predicts labour shortage in 2019

TRADIES are forecast to be hot property in Cairns with the Far North’s construction industry tipped for boom times.

Industry groups have predicted a looming building trade shortage in 2019 when a number of big-ticket infrastructure projects will kick off simultaneously.

A 15 per cent trade skills shortfall is expected to power high demand for plumbers, electricians, plasterers and structural steel workers.

Fourth-generation steel worker Charles Lazco said the industry was riding a wave of optimism.

“This is the first time we have seen the cranes in the Cairns’ skyline for a good while ... and it’s good to see there are some big dollars being put into the city centre and into Cairns,” he said.

Bouncing back from a slump in 2017, economic growth in Cairns is up 2.5 per cent, commercial and residential construction activity is expected to grow to $1.1 billion and $400 million respectively by 2020.

Construction Skills Queensland data and evidence director Robert Sobyra said the impending boom was exceptional news for the construction industry.

“The level of activity in the residential and commercial building sector is predicted to increase by about 50 per cent by 2022 – which is an annual growth rate of about 11 per cent,” Mr Sobyra said.

“This is an industry that’s going to be going from about

IT’S GOOD TO SEE THERE ARE SOME BIG DOLLARS BEING PUT INTO THE CITY CENTRE AND INTO CAIRNS STEEL WORKER CHARLES LAZCO $900 million a year (2017) in activity to about $1.6 billion in 2020/21.”

The proposed Crystalbrook superyacht marina at Port Douglas, an eco-resort at Ellis Beach, MSF Sugar’s bio refinery and South Johnstone’s green power station, the Tropical North Global Tourism Hub and the planned Nova City seven-tower project were featured in a Major Projects Pipeline publication launched by the State Government this week.

Mr Sobyra predicted 80 per cent of the work on the upcoming major projects will be delivered by 20 trades.

“Of those 20 trades, plumbers, plasterers, and structural steel construction workers will be hardest to find,” he said.

State Infrastructure Minister Cameron Dick said the government would invest $780 million into large-scale projects to be rolled out in the Far North in the next financial year, creating 2600 jobs.

Public projects include the $481 million Bruce Highway Edmonton to Gordonvale upgrade, the Smithfield bypass and the Ports North Cairns shipping container project. editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost