Fitzgibbon site creates jobs

By Emily Eklund Bayside Star 14 Oct 2009

Work on the 114-hectare Fitzgibbon Chase site is well underway, with a public launch set for January, 2010. Civil works on the state government owned site started in May and the first two stages of the development were sold in six weeks by the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA).

 

Federal member for Petrie Yvette D'Ath visited the site last week alongside State Member for Sandgate Vicky Darling to announce a $2.1 million federal government funding injection under the Australian Government's Jobs Fund.

 

Funding will be used to complete a new community centre and 2.7km of bushland walking trails at the Roghan Road development.

 

Ms D'Ath said the funding would create a further 100 jobs and traineeships at the site, in addition to the 500 estimated by Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe in July this year.

 

"Both projects will extend the Urban Land Development Authority's current work experience program with local schools and includes training opportunities for job seekers," Ms D'Ath said.

 

ULDA chief executive officer Paul Eagles said the Community Development and Enterprise Centre (CDEC) would deliver heath services, local community education programs and a broader range of social enterprises to assist the unemployment to develop skills and work experience to secure employment".

 

Construction of the CDEC will start in late 2010.

 

Mr Eagles said employment opportunities would also be created in construction and landscape industries, and through maintenance of the bushland trails in the long-term.

 

Trainee leading hand Joe Banks was hired at the site in early July after four months of unemployment. The 24-year-old former boat builder said he was enjoying his time at Fitzgibbon Chase and would continue working at the site through the next few stages.

Fitzgibbon Chase is part of the wider Fitzgibbon Urban Development Area, approved by the state government in July this year.

 

"Once completed, the entire Fitzgibbon Chase development will contain up to 1700 homes in a range of styles to suit all household types, as well as parks and a 40-hectare piece of bushland," Mr Eagles said.

 

"The development sits on a 114-hectare site, 50 per cent of which will remain green space to preserve the natural fauna and flora."

 

More than 65 per cent of the dwellings being constructed in Fitzgibbon will be available for purchase at, or below, the median house price for Brisbane.