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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

Building regional strength through supporting social and economic activity in Queensland’s gasfield communities

Tom Quinn
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Level 8, 80 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia. Email: Tom.Quinn@broadspectrum.com

The APPEA Journal 59(2) 690-693 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ18149
Accepted: 21 March 2019   Published: 17 June 2019

Abstract

Queensland boasts a rich endowment of resource wealth, which has seen the state develop a world-class industry that contributes in many ways to the quality of life for our local communities. The development of the coal seam gas industry has become an integral part of regional Queensland, playing a pivotal role in the economic prosperity of local towns. Building regional strength is achieved by providing employment and training, using and building the capability of businesses and supporting community projects. Local recruitment strategies include regional recruitment roadshows, Yarn Ups and partnering with local labour hire agencies. For the sustainment of local employment over the long term, companies must build processes to develop our skilled workers of the future, investing in initiatives such as apprenticeship programs. Maximising local economy interaction is achieved by prioritising local procurement, using local Chambers of Commerce to build strong local supplier networks and committing to supporting and developing local business capability through mentoring, business incubation and training and competency development to improve the ability of local businesses to meet contractual commitments. Investing in and supporting local grass roots community groups, clubs and associations that provide important services to their communities through a community grants program provides lasting benefits for community members who count on the vital support of these organisations in their day-to-day lives. The oil and gas industry brings value to local communities and it is imperative that we are collectively focused on building positive relationships and supporting local economic sustainability.

Keywords: business, coal seam gas (CSG), community, community engagement, employment, regional, local content.

Tom Quinn is Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer – Broadspectrum, a Ferrovial Services company. Tom has a BEng(Hon) and MBA, and is an Associate of the Melbourne Business School. Tom was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Broadspectrum on 1 December 2018. Tom joined the company in 2016 as Chief Executive, Resources. Prior to joining Broadspectrum, Tom was Group Vice President of Jacob’s North American Upstream and Midstream business in Canada, managing 7000 employees. He has more than 30 years experience working in Australia, the Asia–Pacific and North and South America, including as Managing Director at Aker Solutions in Australia and as Director of Operations of Fluor Corporation. Tom’s depth of experience globally includes working in engineering, construction and maintenance enterprises across the manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, food and chemical industries. His expertise includes leading enterprises underpinned by sustainable and strategic decision making, acute tactical planning and implementation, while influencing brand marketing and building strong customer relationships.


References

Broadspectrum (2018). Broadspectrum reconciliation action plan October 2018–October 2021. Available at https://rbcunitystdau02.worldsecuresystems.com/PDF/RAP_FINAL_DIGITAL.pdf [verified 15 April 2019].

Queensland Resources Council (2018a). Discover how the Queensland resources sector contributed to your region (based on Queensland’s statistical division boundaries) in 2017–18. Available at https://www.qrc.org.au/contributiontoqueensland/regions/ [verified 15 April 2019].

Queensland Resources Council (2018b). What are resources worth to Western Downs in 2017–18. Available at https://www.qrc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WesternDowns_LGA_2018.pdf/ [verified 23 April 2019].

Walton, A., and McCrea. R. (2018) CSIRO Trends in community wellbeing and local attitudes to coal seam gas development 2018. Western Downs and eastern Maranoa. GISERA. Available at https://gisera.csiro.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GISERA-Social-10-Final-Report.pdf [verified 15 May 2019].

Western Downs Regional Council (2018) Western Downs regional maps. Available at https://www.wdrc.qld.gov.au/visiting-western-downs/exploring-western-downs/western-downs-regional-maps/ [verified 15 April 2019].