CYCLONE LARRY JOBS PROGRAM GETS NORTH QUEENSLAND BACK ON ITS FEET
Published Wednesday, 11 October, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
North Queenslanders are being assisted to rebuild their lives in the wake of Cyclone Larry via a special employment program established by the State Government.
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said a focus of the $18.6 million Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package was to help individuals who lost their jobs and livelihoods when the cyclone hit North Queensland.
“We wanted to sustain vital industries and help communities back on their feet and that means keeping local people in the area so they can resume their normal jobs as they become available,” Mr Mickel said.
“From more than 870 calls to the hotline set up to link cyclone-affected workers with local jobs and training opportunities, around 700 people registered for assistance.
Organisations funded through the Cyclone Larry Community Jobs Plan program have taken on approximately 645 local people. Mr Mickel said participants have been involved in a diverse range of activities including debris clean up and rebuilding public infrastructure as well as also helping restore the homes of the elderly and impaired.
“More than 400 participants are still employed on projects,” Mr Mickel said.
“They have made considerable progress – clearly evident in National Parks, community owned assets, and, in the case of Operation Farm Clear, in the clean-up of private property.”
Mr Mickel said a transition strategy has been developed to help participants who have been working on the jobs projects move back into mainstream employment.
From the end of November, with the approach of the region’s harvest time for the first crops of bananas, it is expected there could be up to 2,500 positions available for farm labourers.
“Those responsible for running the Cyclone Larry jobs projects have been advised to offer flexibility in releasing participants to return to their former occupations,” Mr Mickel said.
“I am pleased to report also that more than 90 displaced workers have received up to $5000 assistance in job preparation, training and wage subsidies under the State Government’s Worker Assistance Program.
“In addition, approximately $640 000 has been allocated for training of the local workforce to ensure that their skills meet the requirements of local industry.”
The Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package has helped individuals and communities in all seven shires affected by the devastation this natural disaster caused.
As the area recovers and activities begin to be absorbed into regional business, officers from the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations are working with others from the Department of State Development on its post-Larry economic development plan.
Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations John Mickel said a focus of the $18.6 million Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package was to help individuals who lost their jobs and livelihoods when the cyclone hit North Queensland.
“We wanted to sustain vital industries and help communities back on their feet and that means keeping local people in the area so they can resume their normal jobs as they become available,” Mr Mickel said.
“From more than 870 calls to the hotline set up to link cyclone-affected workers with local jobs and training opportunities, around 700 people registered for assistance.
Organisations funded through the Cyclone Larry Community Jobs Plan program have taken on approximately 645 local people. Mr Mickel said participants have been involved in a diverse range of activities including debris clean up and rebuilding public infrastructure as well as also helping restore the homes of the elderly and impaired.
“More than 400 participants are still employed on projects,” Mr Mickel said.
“They have made considerable progress – clearly evident in National Parks, community owned assets, and, in the case of Operation Farm Clear, in the clean-up of private property.”
Mr Mickel said a transition strategy has been developed to help participants who have been working on the jobs projects move back into mainstream employment.
From the end of November, with the approach of the region’s harvest time for the first crops of bananas, it is expected there could be up to 2,500 positions available for farm labourers.
“Those responsible for running the Cyclone Larry jobs projects have been advised to offer flexibility in releasing participants to return to their former occupations,” Mr Mickel said.
“I am pleased to report also that more than 90 displaced workers have received up to $5000 assistance in job preparation, training and wage subsidies under the State Government’s Worker Assistance Program.
“In addition, approximately $640 000 has been allocated for training of the local workforce to ensure that their skills meet the requirements of local industry.”
The Cyclone Larry Employment Assistance Package has helped individuals and communities in all seven shires affected by the devastation this natural disaster caused.
As the area recovers and activities begin to be absorbed into regional business, officers from the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations are working with others from the Department of State Development on its post-Larry economic development plan.
Media inquiries: Chris Brown (07) 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion (07) 3224 6784