Mining slump hits jobs

But plenty of optimism in city with major projects on horizon

TOWNSVILLE has lost 570 jobs since the 2011 Census, with the mining and manufacturing sectors shrinking while accommodation and public administration and safety have increased.

According to 2016 Census data released yesterday, 86,449 jobs were registered across Townsville’s local gov- ernment area compared with the 87,019 at the 2011 survey.

Unemployment has increased from 5.1 per cent in 2011 to 8.9 per cent.

However, State Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the figures were to be expected following the downturn in the mining industry.

“You can see that nearly 500 people left that market which then flows back on to things like manufacturing and construction,” he said.

“It’s certainly telling us what we already know.”

Mr Stewart said there were projects on the horizon that promised to bring jobs.

“They’re saying another 10,000 jobs are going to be created in the next 12 to 18 months,” he said.

“Things like the channel widening at the port, the CBD stadium, Adani is part of it.

“All these things are starting to flow on. The minerals and mines are starting to pick up. We’re ready for this new wave of new work.”

Mayor Jenny Hill said the city’s economy had been struggling in recent years, but agreed major projects starting in the region were turning around the jobs outlook.

“The results in the census show what we already knew and that is why I’ve made it a major focus to bring jobs back to Townsville,” she said.

“Townsville’s economy has suffered as a result of the mining and resources downturn over recent years, and the closure of the Queensland Nickel ( refinery) – which resulted in more than 700 jobs being lost.

“That is why I have lobbied hard for major projects like the new stadium and the water pipeline to build the infrastruc- ture the city needs while creating jobs for locals.

“While more than 16,000 jobs have been created in the Townsville region over the past year – according to a recent analysis by Conus Business Consultancy Services – there’s always more to do and as a council we are totally focused on helping create the right environment for jobs.”

Economist Colin Dwyer said it was the first time he could remember Townsville recording a declining workforce between censuses.

“This highlights the extent of the economic depression that existed in Townsville between 2011 and 2016,” he said.

“Incidentally the current labour force for the wider region has grown in the past year.

“Between 2011- 16 there was a net loss of jobs over this fiveyear period of 0.66 per cent.

“Compounding the economic downturn, business registrations in construction and retail declined sharply.” He said Townsville needed to act urgently to attract skilled and experienced workers.