Australia: QGC Invests AUD 60 Million in Housing

QGC Pty Limited, developer of the Queensland Curtis LNG Project, will invest more than A$60 million on up to 100 houses in the Western Downs and Gladstone as part of its integrated housing strategy.

The strategy has been approved by Queensland’s Co-ordinator General and includes new houses for project staff and affordable housing and rental assistance in communities from Chinchilla to Gladstone.

QGC is expanding its operations in the Surat Basin in south-western Queensland to transport natural gas through a 540km underground pipeline to an LNG plant at Gladstone.

QGC’s Vice President Corporate, Brett Smith, said the strategy took two years to develop in discussions with councils, government agencies, consultative committees and other LNG proponents to assess community needs.

“We are confident the strategy has the right balance, flexibility and commitments to help manage different housing needs across the project area,” Mr Smith said.

“It also recognises the needs of those most at risk right now, including apprentices and trainees, low-income families and indigenous people.”

In the gas fields, which lie within the Western Downs Regional Council, QGC will invest $32 million on up to 56 houses in various locations in consultation with the Western Downs Regional Council.

Funding also includes $5.2 million for affordable housing in various locations; $500,000 for community housing assistance for indigenous people; and $200,000 over two years for a council housing strategy consultant.

QGC will accommodate at peak up to 2000 construction workers in temporary accommodation camps at Dalby and Chinchilla and on QGC’s Kenya property, about 30km south-west of Wandoan.

In Gladstone, QGC will invest up to $28 million to build 45 new homes, assist the Urban Land Development Authority to accelerate the development of more than 250 housing lots at the Clinton Estate, and provide $5.7 million for affordable dwellings, including indigenous housing assistance.

The LNG industry is working with the Gladstone Regional Council and the Queensland Government to maximise the benefit of a total industry contribution of $13 million for affordable housing in Gladstone.

QGC also will provide further housing for its long-term operations work force in Gladstone through a staff housing plan.

Construction workers on the LNG plant will be housed in a temporary camp on Curtis Island.

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Source: QGC, August 16, 2011;