Kickstart Qld: $30m plan ‘would create jobs and save taxpayers at the same time’
A major push is under way to put a $30 million plan in to action that would create desperately-needed entry-level and regional jobs, save taxpayer money, and improve our surroundings at the same time.
Future QLD
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Launching a green army of workers to clean up southeast Queensland’s waterways would create desperately-needed entry-level and regional jobs and save taxpayers on water treatment costs.
The Southeast Queensland Council of Mayors is appealing to both parties to back a $30m plan that would protect and improve creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay drive new jobs.
On average, catchment and land management projects generate around 5.3 direct jobs per $1 million spent compared to Queensland Treasury’s benchmark of just 3.1 jobs per $1 million of capital expenditure.
Putting in the $30m the mayors say is needed to manage the region’s creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay create about 170 direct jobs every year for South East Queenslanders.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, said the Council of Mayors (SEQ) had been investing in the region’s catchments for many years and saw the long-term economic, social and environmental benefits it creates.
“When we don’t invest in our catchments effectively it results in higher costs for water treatment, the reduction of prime agriculture land, and contributes to the devastating impacts that severe weather events have on our communities,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Beyond COVID-19, South East Queensland will continue to deal with the challenges of droughts, floods and severe weather events and the financial burden this creates for our communities and businesses.
“The SEQ Mayors recognise the environmental and economic benefits of these projects and have invested more than $4 million to-date under our Resilient Rivers program.
“We encourage the State Government to join with us in investing in South East Queensland’s catchments as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy while addressing the region’s environmental challenges.”
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) administers the Resilient Rivers Initiative, a co-ordinated and strategic approach to the management and investment in the region’s creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay, investing $4.3 million across the region’s catchments so far, creating 23 direct and 14 indirect full-time jobs and generating $2.1 million in total economic output for South East Queensland.
Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan said catchment improvement projects created a range of opportunities for employment, and often boosted jobs in areas outside of major cities.
“Catchment improvement projects are a great recovery tool for regional communities. They create jobs throughout the region’s catchments and offer an easy option for job seekers to build new skills,” Cr Milligan said.
“An important aspect of the Resilient Rivers Initiative has been its focus on creating new roles in areas like the Lockyer Valley, where locals are upskilled and that expertise then stays within our community.
“The idea of being able to protect Queensland’s natural assets while also creating jobs and economic uplift is a win-win in anyone’s view.”
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) established the Resilient Rivers Initiative in 2014 as a response to the devastating effects of the 2011 and 2013 floods in South East Queensland.
In the lead up to the 2020 Queensland State Election, the SEQ Mayors will be asking the government and opposition to commit to a co-ordinated approach to catchment management in South East Queensland to ensure public funds are invested strategically and deliver strong environmental outcomes for the region.
A government spokesman said: “The biggest single investor in catchment health in southeast Queensland is Seqwater, who delivered $10.3 million in source protection programs and partnership funding in 2018-19.
“The Department of Environment and Science invests $2.5 million annually for on ground catchment works for southeast Queensland to reduce sediment, nutrient and pesticide emissions to waterways and Moreton Bay.”