Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill has welcomed today's announcement that BMD had been awarded the $350+ million contract to build the Carmichael Mine rail network.
Cr Hill said BMD would make Townsville its base for the delivery of the contract.
"This is great news for our city as the works package is expected to deliver approximately 600 jobs, many of which will go to Townsville residents," Cr Hill said.
"The North Queensland Regional COVID-19 Coordination Taskforce working group on education, skills and workforce will be working to ensure that Townsville residents are upskilled and ready to take on these roles.
"There's also the indirect jobs that will be supported – in our housing, retail and hospitality sectors.
"With the region's unemployment rate forecast to increase to above 14 per cent as a result of COVID-19, the economic stimulus that this project will provide could not have come at a better time."
The civil components of the BMD contract include the delivery of earthworks, drainage, bridges, rail camp construction and associated road upgrades.
Cr Hill said the announcement also justified the Council's efforts to bring Adani's regional offices to Townsville.
"The Townsville City Deal aims to establish Townsville as an industry powerhouse for the north – the preferred location for industrial development of regional, state and national significance," Cr Hill said.
"Today's announcement demonstrates that we are well on our way to achieving that goal."
