Local businesses get the good oil on opportunities

Businesses in Ipswich and the Scenic Rim are getting the ‘good oil’ today on opportunities on local major projects.

Businesses gathered in Springfield today to hear the latest at a major projects workshop opened by Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham.

Dr Lynham told the workshop that the Government’s number one priority was generating jobs and business opportunities.

“The Premier’s words to Cabinet have been clear and simple—jobs and business opportunities for Queenslanders—make it happen,” he said.

“Major local projects, such as the $1.7 billion AVEO retirement complex here in Springfield or the $200 million rail maintenance facility at Wulkuraka, offer business opportunities.

“Seminars such as this one here in Springfield today are all about local business hearing from government experts and guest speakers about opportunities on major projects.”

Dr Lynham told attendees that the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane project also offered opportunities even though it was not local.

“It may be happening in the Brisbane CBD, but Queen’s Wharf Brisbane’s impact will be widespread and ongoing,” he said.

“This project is expected to create about 2000 construction jobs and 8000 ongoing jobs when it’s completed in about seven years.

“The seven year build means seven years of supplier opportunities—be it raw products or trades and services.

“They will need decades of skilled operational staff, ongoing maintenance and security jobs, cleaners, gardeners, croupiers, bus drivers and accountants to name a few.”

Dr Lynham encouraged local businesses to attend another workshop in October.

“These seminars provide practical advice about how to tender to provide goods and services during construction and operation or the major projects, and the chance to ask questions of the experts face to face,” he said.

Today’s forum is one of a regular series of regional major projects forums the Department of State Development runs throughout regional Queensland.   The forums provide small- to medium-sized businesses with information about:

• industry outlooks
• accessing new markets
• winning business through tendering and supply opportunities for government and non-government projects.

ENDS                       23 August 2016

Media contact:           Benjamin Mulcahy 0419 562 389