Gladstone mass job creation confimrs positive undertones

The port’s board has approved 30 new full-time positions in its planning and development departments, showing confidence that the growth of the port over the last 15 years (which has led to a doubling of the corporation’s workforce) will continue in the future.

Backing this vision are further moves to stimulate employment growth with capital expenditure approval on three major projects.

An A$3.5m (US$2.2m) contract has been awarded to build a heavy machinery workshop facility at RG Tanna Coal Terminal; construction of an environmental catchment area and dozer access way at the terminal which will provide for the collection of storm water, operational and dust control water runoff from stockpiles to enable future recycling options; and A$35m (US$22m) funding for the Wiggins Island Coal Terminal Project detailedeEngineering, bringing the total spend for this phase of the project to more than A$56m (US$35.8m).

The port recognised in announcing the measures that while the extent of the global economic crisis remains uncertain, the approval of such significant capital expenditure would help inject new optimism into the Queensland economy.