City in the driver’s seat
$2.6 million contract to create 50 jobs in big boost for region
A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR contract has been awarded to construction company BMD to begin works for Townsville’s Driveit facility, creating jobs for North Queensland.
BMD North Queensland construction manager Michael Peterson met with Driveit NQ chairman Greg Fitzgerald at the site on Friday to sign the $2.6 million contract to build access roads and the skid pan for a driver education program.
Driveit is a planned driver education and motorsport facility that will be based at Calcium near the Lansdown Industrial Precinct.
Mr Peterson said the works would start in about a month and would take about four to five months to complete.
“It’s great for BMD especially in the current times with COVID and the downturn of work in the area,” he said.
“This project is very good timing to stimulate this region. It’s going to create up to 50 jobs, it will really help this region get going.”
Mr Fitzgerald said 147 jobs would be created when the facility was fully operational and $1.4 billion injected into the Townsville economy over its 40 year lifespan.
He called on the State Government to match the $12 million in funding provided by the Federal
Government so it could develop its project. “This is community infrastructure, and they (state) do it for all other sports and they need to do it for us,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“Particularly as a State Government looking for shovel-ready projects to kickstart the economy post COVID, this is really the right project for them to back.”
Hy-tec executive general manager Brett Brown said he was pleased to supply concrete and quarry products for Driveit valued at $1 million. “Hy-tec supports local businesses and employees, local people and contractors,” he said. “This project is in addition to the quarry products that we are currently supplying to the Townsville Port project.”
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said he was a strong backer of the facility.
“I have supported Driveit through various forms, from initial joint meetings with Townsville City Council, attending public rallies, community meetings, and speaking to the Minister for Main Roads and Transport Mark Bailey MP,” he said.
Mr Harper said he would continue to advocate for the project.
“This project remains firmly in my mind and is an important one for driver education and for motorsport enthusiasts,” he said.
“IT’S GOING TO CREATE UP TO 50 JOBS, IT WILL REALLY HELP THIS REGION GET GOING. GREG FITZGERALD