Rookwood Weir apprentices build cubby houses for a cause

• Rookwood Weir project donates cubby houses to Central Queensland charity
• Young apprentices learn new skills through on-site initiative
• More than 30 apprentices and trainees have worked on Rookwood Weir
• Weir construction more than 95% complete

Apprentices from the Rookwood Weir project have applied newly acquired skills to benefit Central Queensland families in need.

Two cubby houses built by young workers on the project have been donated to community‑based organisation, Roseberry Qld, which provides services for young people and families.

The 3m x 2.2m structures, made with weatherboard cladding and a corrugated plastic roof, were presented to Roseberry Qld, which is based in Rockhampton and Gladstone.

One of the cubby houses will be delivered to Roseberry Qld’s Gladstone office, with the second going to a property located in the region to provide a play environment for young children.

The Rookwood Weir Alliance collaborated on the initiative with Construction Skills Training Centre, while cubby house materials were supplied by the project and local businesses, Konnect Fastening Systems and CQ Fasteners.

More than 30 apprentices and trainees have worked on the Rookwood Weir project, with six of them helping to build the cubby houses.

The initiative was an opportunity for the apprentices to learn different building techniques and develop carpentry skills such as flooring, stairs, wall and roof framing, cladding, lining, door and window installation and painting.

Construction on the weir is now more than 95% complete, with more than 123,000m3 of the required 130,000m3 of concrete in place.

At its peak more than 360 workers were on site, and the project remains on track for construction to be finished later this year, weather permitting.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“We’re committed to delivering secure and reliable water to Central Queensland. Rookwood Weir is vital to achieving that, and it’s already benefitting the local community and local jobs.

“It’s fantastic to see the project giving back to the community and young workers using new skills in this way. It’s an invaluable experience for those involved and will make such a difference to the lives of some of the youngest people in the community who are doing it tough.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

“Rookwood Weir is a great asset that has created hundreds of jobs since construction began and will deliver economic benefits to Central Queensland for generations through the available water supply.

“The project is also providing unique opportunities for our younger workers to gain invaluable skills and experience that come with an infrastructure development of this size.

“It is important big works programs give back to the local communities that support them – and it is the people of Central Queensland that have ensured this weir will be built safely and effectively.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke:

“I am proud to see Central Queenslanders playing a key role in building an essential infrastructure asset that will benefit our community for decades to come.

“Our apprentices are being given a great opportunity to develop new skills they can use for the rest of their careers, while enhancing the capabilities of our great regional workforce.

“It is great to see the Rookwood Weir project delivering social benefits for the Central Queensland community and contributing beyond just the construction of the asset.”

Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Mayor, Tony Williams:

“Rookwood Weir is a critical project for our region and one that has delivered important benefits in local jobs, skills and training and economic opportunity.

“This is a real and tangible example of how these projects can give back to the community and make a difference to local families and groups.”

Quotes attributable to Roseberry General Manager, Michelle Coats:

“At Roseberry, we aim to help vulnerable people to lift themselves out of disadvantage and to create safe, vital, and resilient lives for their families.

“We would like to thank the Rookwood Weir apprentices for their hard work building these wonderful cubby houses, which will put a smile on the faces of many young people.

“We place great value on working together with our fellow Central Queenslanders to provide positive social and economic benefits for families in our region that are experiencing tough times.”

Quotes attributable to Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton:

“Sunwater and our Alliance partners would like to thank the Central Queensland community for welcoming and working with our project team as we deliver this key water infrastructure asset.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide support to Roseberry, who do such a great job helping the vulnerable in Central Queensland.

“The project continues to make great progress on site, having completed construction activities on the left bank cut-off wall and eight of the weir’s 13 monoliths.

“Our focus now is on completing the remaining six monoliths, erosion protection slabs on the left bank and stilling basins.”

Quotes attributable to Rookwood Weir project fourth-year apprentice, Jack Warrington:

“I’ve been with the Rookwood Weir project since mid-2021 and have had a fantastic time learning my trade and working on such a landmark water project for Central Queensland.

“The skills I have been able learn on the project include form-setting, steel fixing and concreting whereas, working on the cubby houses has broadened my carpentry skills through making timber walls, doors and window frames along with learning roofing techniques.

“It’s been an enjoyable task, building the cubby houses with the other apprentices and knowing they will be put to good use in the community.

“I’m almost finished my apprenticeship and I’m looking forward to working on the next project as a fully qualified carpenter.”

 Further Information:

The Queensland and Australian Governments have contributed $183.6 million each to the total spend, and Sunwater is funding the remainder of the $568.9 million Rookwood Weir.

ENDS

Media contact: Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004