Getting on with job

By JENI FAULKNER Northside Chronicle 21 Oct

Employment opportunities are set to improve at Fitzgibbon during the next 12 months with plans for a community centre and bushland walking trail at the proposed Fitzgibbon Chase development.

The development, which received a Federal Government Jobs Fund grant of $2.1 million this week, is expected to take five years to complete.

It will feature 1700 homes, and the Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) chief executive Paul Eagles predicts it could boost population to the area by about 3500 residents.

"Employment  opportunities will be created in construction and landscape industries and maintenance of the bushland trails to provide longterm employment prospects," Mr Eagles said.

He said the ULDA would oversee 100 jobs and traineeships, an important investment for the economy.

Federal Member for Petrie Yvette D'Ath said more than $3 million had been invested into the Petrie electorate through the Jobs Fund. "The Government is taking decisive action to help insulate economies from the worst effects of the global recession," Ms D'Ath said.

The development sits on a 114ha site off Roghan Rd and the ULDA says 50 per cent of area will be retained as green space and most properties will be at the median house price.