The Coal Seam Gas (CSG) industry in Queensland is strengthening the state’s industrial base and attracting billions of dollars in investment, with royalties paid by mining companies helping to fund important community infrastructure such as hospitals and roads.
According to the Queensland Government, economic studies indicate that a medium-sized 28 million-tonnes-per annum (Mtpa) CSG to liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry could generate over 18,000 jobs in the state, over 4,000 of which would come from the Surat Basin alone.
It was revealed on June 17 that employment in Queensland’s CSG/LNG industry has hit a new high of almost 30,000 workers, with more than $20 billion injected into business across the state by LNG companies.
“The three Queensland LNG plants on Curtis Island are world-firsts for converting coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas for export and at a time of global uncertainty this industry has been the driving force behind growth in our great state,” said minister for state development, infrastructure and planning Jeff Seeney.
“This $60 billion-plus of investment is flowing throughout the state and transforming regional communities.”
Mr Seeney said that the Santos GLNG project has created in the order 6,800 jobs, and spent $6 billion in Australia – $4 billion of which was in Queensland.
These job figures may come of interest to those pursuing apprenticeships in Queensland, related to the CSG/LNG sector.
