Woodford makeover to create jobs

A $2.1 million makeover of Woodford’s main street will not only revitalise the area for when visitors return, but also create jobs during its construction.

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the Archer Street revitalisation works will deliver new garden beds, upgrade road surfaces, renew pathways and renewed storm water drains.

There will also be carpark improvements between Margaret Street and Kropp Road.

“This is about backing those businesses who’ve been hit hardest by coronavirus closures, like retail, hospitality and tourism operators,” Mayor Flannery says.

“I’m hopeful that the Woodford Folk Festival will be able to proceed later this year, which delivers hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefit for our region as Australia’s biggest music and culture festival.”

Why it’s needed

Councillor Tony Latter (Div 12) says the works will enhance one of the region’s historic towns.

“Driving through the northwest of Moreton Bay Region is one of the most relaxing trips in our region, so it’s easy to see why Woodford needs to be a tourism hotspot,” Cr Latter says.

“By beautifying the village, council is adding to Woodford’s appeal and investing in a tourism-led recovery while the street is quiet. We’ll be getting the contractors to work at night, so there’ll be no disruption to parking and we’ll minimise disruptions for local businesses.

“Improved pedestrian connectivity will allow people to make their way around to the shops and cafes safely within the service lanes without effecting the motorists travelling along the D’Aguilar Highway.”

Weather permitting, the project will be delivered in time for Christmas trading and the Woodford Folk Festival.

Who’s doing the work?

The tender was awarded to CES Civil SEQ Pty Ltd at Moreton Bay Regional Council’s general meeting on May 13.

CES Civil director Damien Roy says the project will employ 5-6 people directly, and more than 30 indirectly through subcontractors and others.

His company has made a point of employing as many people as possible during these tough times, taking advantage of the Federal Government’s Job Keeper program and addressing a skills shortage in the industry.

They’ve employed 15 people so far.

“We need to snap up people capable of doing the work in the hope of picking up good people out of it,” Damien explains.

He says they’re running their teams at a lower efficiency level, so they can employ more and increase the skillset of those on the job.

When asked if he would encourage other businesses to do the same, Damien says every business is different but if they’re in a financial position to do it, they should.

Damien says they run their business with low overhead expenses, which has allowed them to hold onto good people in tough times.

Looking for a job?

CES Civil is working on three Moreton Bay Regional Council projects at the moment and has tendered for six others, which they hope to hear about in the next three months.

The team is looking for engineering, contract administration, operations and labour staff.

Anyone interested in discussing job opportunities, should email Rob Cagmey at [email protected]

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