Santos GLNG Project Invests Millions with Australian Businesses

The Santos GLNG Project has invested $58 million every week on average with Australian businesses since it was sanctioned in January 2011.

The figure was highlighted in the Santos GLNG Social Impact Management Plan (SIMP) annual report submitted to Queensland’s Coordinator-General today.

Santos Vice President Queensland Trevor Brown said the $6 billion worth of local investment had supported thousands of new jobs for Queenslanders.

“Santos has operated in Queensland for over 50 years and we’re proud of the economic and social benefits being delivered by the GLNG Project,” Mr Brown said.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports the unemployment rate in the Maranoa region, where the Santos GLNG Project operates, has fallen to 2 per cent, one of the lowest in Australia.

“By the end of 2012, 6,000 new jobs were created in the Maranoa region, along the pipeline from Roma to Gladstone, Curtis Island where the LNG plant is being built, and in Brisbane.

“I’m pleased to report that figure had grown to 6 800 by mid-2013,” Mr Brown said.

The SIMP outlines how Santos GLNG maximises benefits of the Project to the communities in which we operate.

Between January 2011 and December 2012 Santos GLNG invested more than $468 million with the regional councils in Maranoa, Western Downs, Toowoomba, Gladstone and Rockhampton.

“I would like to sincerely thank the Mayors and local councils across our areas of operation for their ongoing support and cooperation in delivering the benefits to their communities,” he said.

Further highlights of the SIMP annual report include:

• more than $40 million committed to regional social infrastructure including airports, housing, hospitals and roads
• more than $3.9 billion in contracts awarded to Queensland businesses
• a commitment of $25 million in training initiatives over the life of the project
• 100 apprenticeships and traineeships underway
• 174 indigenous training and employment opportunities
• 5,800 beds in worker camps and 100 houses for permanent staff to take pressure off local housing
• Surat Basin community engagement award winner
• Weed Management award – Banana Shire Council.

[mappress]