Brisbane City Council has invested in creating a community area for residential and recreational purposes – and is set to create a number of jobs in the process.
The multipurpose development site on Lytton Road, East Brisbane, will consist of two 12-storey residential towers and a community sporting and leisure area, afforded by multi-million dollar council funding, Brisbane Times reported.
The new purpose-built area will require a range of skilled employees, labourers, and entry level jobs to suit the varied nature of the development.
Part of the riverside refurbishment will include a $4 million repurposing of the sports clubhouse, which currently exists on the property. This will require landscaping workers to develop an old and underused lawn bowls area into a competition-grade croquet site.
Finance Chairman at City Hall Julian Simmonds told Brisbane Times that the investment in the community will allow new activities to take place, while providing an opportunity for employment.
“Lawn bowls hasn’t been played there for a few years, a community group relocated elsewhere in the eastern suburbs this year and part of the site faces resumption for the Wynnum Road corridor project,” Mr Simmonds explained.
“The existing disused lawn bowls greens will make way for three competition croquet rinks that will use real turf and have sustainable irrigation systems.”
The investment in the area and around the clubhouse will allow for the creation of an outdoor area for public gatherings, corporate events and private functions, making for a multi-use community space.
“An upgrade and relocation of existing amenities in the adjacent parkland will also be completed, as well as extensive landscaping to complement the surrounding area.”
Apprenticeships in the capital
The prospects of apprenticeships in Brisbane will get a welcome boost from such projects. This development is the second this year to be funded by the City of Brisbane Investment Corporation’s revamp scheme. Earlier this year, a similar project was announced at the old site of Wynnum Central School.
As well as landscaping jobs, a number of tradespeople will make the development come to fruition. Electricians, plumbers and a variety of construction roles will be needed to make the most of the city’s investment.
In addition to the two residential structures, a new 108 space underground car park has also be put forth for the multi-functional area, Chairman Simmonds stated.
The city’s funding arm could yet provide more projects for jobseekers, with it’s equity base growing from $137 million in 2009 reaching more than $236 million today, the newspaper reported. With a strong source of investment in new projects it looks like a positive time for permanent and labour hire jobs in the Sunshine State’s capital.
