New suburban footpath project supports 15 local jobs

Work has started on an important suburban footpath project to provide a new pedestrian link – supporting 15 local jobs.

The Charles St footpath project in Heatley includes delivering almost 2 kilometres of new footpath.

Local Councillor Kurt Rehbein said the new footpath will provide a missing pedestrian link for locals.

“A number of residents raised with me that they wanted a new footpath to improve safety in the local area,” Cr Rehbein said.

“I’m very proud to be part of a team of Councillors delivering on important community projects – such as new footpaths and park upgrades – right throughout the community.

“I’d like to thank the Queensland Government for partnering with Townsville City Council to upgrade community infrastructure and create jobs for locals.”

The first section of work includes a new 1.5m-wide footpath between near Bamford Lane and Fulham Road and the second section between Fulham Road and Lindeman Avenue.

The project is expected to support up to 15 local jobs and has been allocated $830,000 in funding from the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the Works for Queensland program funded important community infrastructure projects while creating jobs for locals.

“Residents in Heatley had requested this new footpath and the project is being delivered through the partnership between Townsville City Council and the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Harper said.

“This project will improve pedestrian access and safety for locals and it is also supporting up to 15 local jobs.”

Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Works for Queensland had a superb record of supporting local jobs and delivering great new infrastructure.

“The Charles Street footpath project is yet another example of how Works for Queensland is helping to boost the Townsville economy with projects that improve liveability for locals,” he said.

Infrastructure Committee Chair Cr Mark Molachino said the project is expected to be complete in late May.

“It is fantastic that local firm CES Civil is on site doing the work – along with other local subcontractors – which is expected to be completed in about six weeks or so, depending on the weather,” Cr Molachino said.

“Importantly, this partnership between the Queensland Government and Council is helping to creating jobs for locals and boost the skills and capacity of local businesses.”

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