City Deal on track to deliver sustainable jobs for local people WE ARE PROUD OF THE CITY DEAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN WE’VE RELEASED.
LOCAL recruitment is under way for Townsville City Deal projects.
Ads are already running for senior managers to deliver the North Queensland Stadium build and this is only the start.
More than 2000 jobs will be created through the stadium’s construction, hundreds of jobs through other building projects, including regional solar farms, and through new private investment made possible by a new development corporation and industrial development board focused on driving long- term employment.
From a regional town myself where no one gives two THE ongoing drought is crippling the city’s lawn- mowing, turf and nursery industries.
Laudberg Park Turf Supplies owner Aaron Radeck said his Rasmussen- based business was “hurting badly”.
“It was tough last year with the water restrictions but it looks set to be tougher again this year,” he said. “I’ve had a 50 per cent loss in turf sales in Townsville, so that is a fair kick in the guts.”
Mr Radeck said the only way his business could survive the next few months was to seek business opportunities further afield. hoots about the talk, I know the proof is when the jobs start flowing and real solutions to water security and affordable power start to make lives easier.
We are proud of the City Deal Implementation Plan we’ve released. It’s a clear and agreed path for all three levels of government to focus firmly on delivery.
All parties to the City Deal have heard loud and clear from Townsville that getting people into work locally is a top priority.
Initially these jobs will come in the construction sector and it’s a strong way to start, as long as they’re followed up with longer term employment generators. This is
“I’m looking elsewhere, to Burdekin, Mackay,” he said. “It’s the only way to keep on top of the bills, with electricity being the biggest.”
Mr Radeck, a long- time local, said he was still getting work from new home developments in Townsville but he had to lay off a couple of workers due to the downturn in trade.
“We have had our droughts in Townsville in the past, but the difference now is that Townsville’s population has grown,” he said. “The dam is not sustainable for the people. If you want the city to grow you need a bigger water source that is the fact of it.”
Gardner Lawn Care owner Gary Gardner, who has been in the business for nearly 30 years, can’t remember a more critical time for the lawn- mowing industry. exactly what we have planned. I encourage you to have a look at the City Deal ( http:// bit. ly/ tsvcity).
A week ago the Prime Minister and I were in town to announce Watpac as the managing contractor for the stadium construction.
Watpac, a company with a long- established Townsville presence, has a plan with the right goals – to engage local subcontractors and suppliers for at least 80 per cent of the value of the project, and for 6.6 per cent of the construction workforce to be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Watpac has forums planned especially to help local subbies and suppliers compete for stadium contracts. They’ll be
“The grass is already dying and it’s only May,” he said. “The dry season is typically always quiet but with continued failed wet seasons and ongoing water restrictions business is worse than ever before.”
The Ross River Dam was yesterday at 16 per cent capacity. It dipped as low as 13.9 per cent in December last year.
The city is on Level 3 water restrictions, which means handheld watering is permitted two days a week between 6pm and 7pm and 6am and 7am on the odds and evens system.
Ray Cummins, of Ray’s Lawncare, said the lack of a significant wet season had made regular clients stretch out their mowing service from weekly to splitting the contracts into smaller tenders to make sure local businesses can apply. Early works are going to be starting later this year.
Local renewable energy projects will also create jobs in the region. The Australian Government’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation ( CEFC) has set up a local presence in Townsville. The CEFC is helping to finance two major renewable energy projects – the fortnightly monthly.
“I’ll be struggling the next few months,” he said. “The grass is not growing and that means no work.”
Day Dawn Nursery owner Harry Wilschefski said although it was “pretty tough going” for his family business, there was still a “bit” of optimism.
“Although people aren’t planting the volume of plants they used to, there are those who still see the value of a beautiful garden, even with ongoing water restrictions,” he said. “There are plenty of dry land plants that are interesting. I suggest Townsville gardens should have mostly dry land plants and about a quarter of wet land plants. “That’s a good mix and will only need minimal
watering.” Kidston Solar Project and the Ross River Solar Farm.
The Kidston Solar Project will provide up to 88 jobs during construction, with employment required throughout the 30- plus year lifespan of the project. The project proponent, Genex Power Ltd, has already engaged 20 staff to work on construction at the site. The Ross River Solar Farm will create more than 150 construction jobs.
Other commitments in the City Deal will boost local jobs over the long term. The Development Corporation for Townsville, to be established later this year, will encourage local property and infrastructure investment through engagement with the private and in some cases sector, increasing construction sector jobs. The City Deal aims to see Townsville become the preferred location in North Queensland for major industrial development. An Industrial Development Board is being formed to maximise investment, attract industry and boost employment.
There are strong initiatives planned for defence as well as health and knowledge education and training.
There is still more work to be done. But we have a really solid framework to continue working together so that the City Deal’s objectives are realised.