Jobs flow soon from NQ mega-projects

A pipeline of more than 1000 North Queensland jobs will be flowing by the fourth quarter of this year from the $250 million North Queensland Stadium and the $167 million Ravenswood Mine expansion.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham told Parliament today that early works trade packages were likely to go to tender in the third quarter of the year.

“The anticipated 750 design and construction jobs should start flowing in earnest across the north in the fourth quarter of this year when construction starts,” he said.

“And then in the second quarter of 2018, Resolute Mining should be recruiting workers for the expansion of its Ravenswood Gold Mine west of Townsville, provided all approvals are received.

“Importantly, Resolute has committed to employing people from within 150km of Ravenswood, which means jobs for locals in Charters Towers, Ayr, Home Hill and Townsville.”

Just 130km south of Townsville, Resolute is extending the life of their gold operations by up to 13 years.

“The Buck Reef West expansion project will ensure the existing 280 jobs at continue, it will create a further 100 new construction jobs as the mine is expanded next year,” Dr Lynham said.

“The expansion is a prescribed project, which means the state’s independent Coordinator-General will continue to work with Resolute to make sure this ‘gilt-edged’ job opportunity progresses smoothly.”

Meanwhile, the North Queensland Stadium project in Townsville remains on schedule, with the managing contractor scheduled to be appointed next month.

As at 3pm Monday, 182, or more than 41 per cent, of the 443 companies who have registered interest in working on the stadium project, have a base in North Queensland.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke congratulated NQ businesses for stepping up to the plate and registered for trade packages.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart and Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper encouraged local businesses to continue to register expressions of interest online and to also subscribe to the Department of State Development stadium e-newsletter.

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