Accelerated Works Program unlocks 430 jobs for North Queensland

More than 430 jobs will be supported under the Queensland Government’s Accelerated Works Program, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced today.

Speaking at the Port of Townsville following a special meeting of the Working Queensland Cabinet Committee, Ms Palaszczuk said an extra $126 million in accelerated works had been identified on top of the $61 million in accelerated projects announced at the weekend bringing the total to $187 million.

Ms Palaszczuk said among those projects was the upgrade of Berth 4 at the Port of Townsville.

“This is a $55 million project for Townsville and it supports 100 jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Tenders for the project close tomorrow and we can award the contract next month.

“In total, the Accelerated Works Program for North Queensland includes investment worth $187 million which supports 430 jobs.

“I met with workers who have been affected by what’s happening at Queensland Nickel this morning and I know how important it is we work to get the jobs and get the jobs now.

“The Accelerated Works Program is one step we can take.

“That’s why I’m also announcing today a five-point-plan to stimulate jobs in North Queensland.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the five-point plan included:

- Accelerated Work Program: A suite of public works advanced to provide immediate employment opportunities in the north.

- Expanding retraining and skills initiatives: Additional projects from the Skilling Queenslanders for Work program will be identified and brought forward.

- Attracting increased Commonwealth funding: The Queensland Government will continue to drive the Federal Government to deliver for the north, including matching funding for the Townsville Stadium

- Increasing tourism attraction: The Government will use its $10 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund and its four-year $400 million commitment to Tourism and Events Queensland, both statewide funding initiatives, to attract more visitors and events to the Townsville region.

- Facilitating key private sector projects:  The Government will work with major project proponents in the region to fast-track a range of existing proposed capital works projects.

 Additional projects under the accelerated works program are listed below:

• Arnot Creek Bridge Upgrade. A $10 million project supporting 31 jobs
• Masters Road - Lansens Road Upgrade. A $5.1 million project supporting 16 jobs
• Veales Road to Pope Road. A $3.45 million project supporting 11 jobs.
• Townsville Port Road Road Train Decoupling Pad. A $1 million project supporting 5 jobs.
• Berth 4 Upgrade. A $55 million project supporting 100 jobs.
• Townsville (Garbutt) depot upgrade Stage 2. A $42.5 million project supporting 60 jobs.
• Bulk Earthworks and Trunnk and Civil Works at the Village, Ooonoonba, Townsville. A $9 million project supporting 27 jobs.

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