Australia: Gladstone LNG Projects Build New Homes

Gladstone’s LNG industry has delivered 58 new homes for workers and provided housing assistance to 36 apprentices and trainees since December to help ease housing pressures in the region, a State Government report revealed today.

The Gladstone Region Housing Quarterly Report, prepared for the Coordinator-General found, since December 2011, the industry had invested more than $22 million in initiatives to boost the housing sector in the region.

Qld Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the report showed LNG proponents Queensland Gas Company (QGC), Petronas/Santos/TOTAL/Kogas and ConocoPhillips/Origin Energy were delivering on their housing commitments in following the rapid growth of the industry in the region.

“So far, I am pleased with the collaborative effort that the industry has made with regard to meeting their housing responsibilities in the region,” Mr Seeney said.

“This report shows the three LNG proponents in Gladstone have taken their social responsibilities seriously and are meeting the conditions imposed on their projects.

“The proponents have invested $19.8 million to develop the not-for-profit Gladstone Affordable Housing Company which has been established to help families on low to medium incomes to secure affordable rental homes.

“On top of this, QGC and the Santos-led consortium have jointly provided a further $3 million contribution to the Gladstone Regional Council to deliver housing assistance to more than 139 families, youth and seniors who are struggling to find accommodation or experiencing rental stress.

“In total, the proponents have built 77 dwellings for their workforce, with 58 of these being delivered since December and 36 apprentices and trainees have been given a leg-up in maintaining housing as an outcome of LNG proponent funding.

“The report released today shows positive outcomes and major progress for Gladstone since December last year and I look forward to reviewing the achievements and outcomes presented in the next report.”

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LNG World News Staff, May 21, 2012; Image: Santos