New research commissioned by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) shows projects that protect and improve our creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay are powerful drivers of job creation.
View the Resilient Rivers Initiative – Economic Contributions Assessment.
On average, catchment and land management projects generate around 5.3 direct jobs per $1 million spent compared to Queensland Treasury’s benchmark of just 3.1 jobs per $1 million of capital expenditure.
It is estimated that around $30 million per annum is required to effectively manage the region’s creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay, which would generate more than 150 direct jobs every year for South East Queenslanders.
Despite their ability to create more jobs, catchment and land management initiatives received no direct investment as part of the State Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor, Cr Adrian Schrinner, said the Council of Mayors (SEQ) had been investing in the region’s catchments for many years and saw the long-term economic, social and environmental benefits it creates.
“When we don’t invest in our catchments effectively it results in higher costs for water treatment, the reduction of prime agricultural land, and contributes to the devastating impacts that severe weather events have on our communities.
“Beyond COVID-19, South East Queensland will continue to deal with the challenges of droughts, floods and severe weather events and the financial burden this creates for our communities and businesses.
“The SEQ Mayors recognise the environmental and economic benefits of these projects and have invested more than $4 million to-date under our Resilient Rivers program.
“We encourage the State Government to join with us in investing in South East Queensland’s catchments as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy while addressing the region’s environmental challenges,” said Cr Schrinner.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) administers the Resilient Rivers Initiative, a coordinated and strategic approach to the management and investment in the region’s creeks, rivers and Moreton Bay. To-date, the SEQ Mayors have invested $4.3 million across the region’s catchments.
The SEQ Mayors’ initial investment of $4.3 million has created 23 direct and 14 indirect full-time jobs. This investment also generated around $2.1 million in total economic output for South East Queensland.
Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan added that catchment improvement projects created a range of opportunities for employment, and often boosted jobs in areas outside of major cities.
“Catchment improvement projects are a great recovery tool for regional communities. They create jobs throughout the region’s catchments and offer an easy option for job seekers to build new skills.
“An important aspect of the Resilient Rivers Initiative has been its focus on creating new roles in areas like the Lockyer Valley, where locals are upskilled and that expertise then stays within our community.
“The idea of being able to protect Queensland’s natural assets while also creating jobs and economic uplift is a win-win in anyone’s view,” said Cr Milligan.
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) established the Resilient Rivers Initiative in 2014 as a response to the devastating effects of the 2011 and 2013 floods in South East Queensland.
In the lead up to the 2020 Queensland State Election, the SEQ Mayors will be asking the government and opposition to commit to a coordinated approach to catchment management in South East Queensland to ensure public funds are invested strategically and deliver strong environmental outcomes for the region.