The planned expansion of James Hardie’s Queensland operations is expected to increase manufacturing output by 40 per cent and be a boost to the state’s economic growth.
The building materials company announced on May 23 that they would make an $89 million investment into expanding their south east Queensland operations, acquiring the land on which their existing Brisbane manufacturing facility is located, to construct new manufacturing capacity on the site.
“We are committed to getting out there, promoting great opportunities in Queensland and James Hardie’s announcement today shows businesses are listening,” deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure and planning Jeff Seeney said.
“Investments of this size in the current climate don’t come lightly and our government worked with James Hardie executives for many months to secure this for Queensland.”
This large project could also create opportunities for apprenticeships in Brisbane.
James Hardie Industries general manager Shane Dias said that Queensland was a ‘strong market’ for their products, with this an important factor in deciding to build new manufacturing capacity in the state.
The investment in the Carole Park facility is also expected to create increased operating efficiencies for the company and enhanced product differentiation. Construction is expected to begin at the end of the first quarter of 2014.
