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New statistics shows Queensland’s reliance on gas industry

A new report has revealed the number of Queenslanders working in the gas industry - including in Rockhampton and Gladstone.

A new report has revealed the number of Queenslanders working in the gas industry.

According to Economic and Employment Contribution of the Australian Gas Industry Supply Chain: 2020-21, prepared by Australian Economic Advocacy Solutions for the Australian Gas Industry Trust, there are 31,000 people in Queensland directly employed by 9000 businesses.

Queensland is second in the country, behind Western Australia with 70,000 gas industry supply chain workers.

The report claims 260,000 jobs are directly or indirectly supported by the supply chain nationally.

About 1.7 in every 100 Queensland jobs were in the supply chain, according to the report.

There were 421 young Queenslanders in apprenticeships and traineeships in the industry, with 2200 nationally.

According to the report, one in 54 Australian workers relies on gas for their income, earning an average salary of $90,200 compared to the average wage of $67,902.

The Queensland workers pocketed $2.8 billion in wages in the previous financial year.

The study found the industry generates $55 billion in direct economic activity and generates $18.2 billion in taxes yearly.

Queensland’s industry makes $3.44 billion.

“In regional areas, the gas industry acts as a foundation for prosperity across many townships due to supply chain spend and the livelihood provided to employees and their spend that this delivers to local businesses,” AEAS said in its report.

The study was welcomed by AGIT, which said it demonstrated how deep the industry was involved in the community.

“We are everywhere – across our regions and across our suburbs – and all Australians benefit in some way from gas and the gas supply chain,” AGIT executive officer Dr Jen Thompson said.

“This shows the gas supply chain is intrinsically part of our communities and one of Australia’s biggest drivers of employment and economic activity.

“Three cents in every dollar of economic activity in Australia can be linked to the supply chain, which is enabling $470 billion in economic activity in Australia every year as an essential energy source.”

Pete’s Gas Services owner Peter King in Gladstone said he started his business two years ago when the plumbing business he was employed with shut down.

“At the moment, it is just myself,” he said.

“But I have been working with other traders so if they need assistance. I am face-to-face with the customers in my daily jobs. I pretty much cover domestic and commercial services, repair and installations and gas appliances.”

Plumb Plus Kawana owner Stephen Purnell, 49, said gas is about 50 per cent of his Rockhampton business.

“We are mainly maintenance serving both households and businesses like Queensland Health, the shopping centres and nursing homes,” he said.

“We are also warranty agents for nearly every gas hot water manufacturer.

“Gas is probably 50 per cent of our business.”

Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/gladstone/new-statistics-shows-queenslands-reliance-on-gas-industry/news-story/7ab47a81d3242a551cfd49bac97ccce0