Gladstone Regional Council and gas company QGC, developer of the Queensland Curtis Liquefied Natural Gas Project, have announced a $1.2 million rental assistance scheme for eligible Gladstone youth focusing on apprentices and trainees.
QGC will fund the scheme over two years, which will be administered by the Council’s community advisory service.
Funding will cover rental subsidies and salary for a Council housing officer.
Depending on individual circumstances, an apprentice could get up to $80 a week in rental assistance.
Gladstone Mayor Gail Sellers said the scheme was practical support for young workers in Gladstone.
“About 2,800 young apprentices are living in Gladstone and some of them, particularly those just starting out, may have trouble paying their rent because of heavy demand in the Gladstone rental market,” she said.
“By providing rental supplements in this way, QGC and Council are not only helping retain our community’s young people, but we are helping to build the workforce necessary to help our economy expand.
“This scheme is a practical solution and a good example of how we can work with industry to benefit everybody.”
Queensland Curtis LNG Project General Manager Construction Joe Dougherty said the scheme was part of QGC’s overall integrated housing strategy as set out in the project’s plan to manage social impact.
“This scheme is a good way for QGC to work with council to ensure young apprentices are kept in Gladstone and available to move into work on the QCLNG Project,” he said.
“It is a part of our work with the Council and the community to ensure people in Gladstone get the best opportunity to work in Gladstone.”
