Government sets up information sessions for retrenched North Stradbroke Island workers

State Development acting deputy director-general Maree Parker said the sessions aimed to help workers plan for the move to alternative employment under the government’s North Stradbroke Island Workers Assistance Scheme.

“Workers can find out more about financial support for which they may be eligible before and after retrenchment, including up to $18,000 each for job search, training and skills, housing assistance and commuting subsidies,” Ms Parker said.

The North Stradbroke Island Workers Assistance Scheme includes:

 job search support of up to $2000 per worker;

 training and skills support of up to $2000 per worker, as well as compensation for up to four weeks leave to undertake training while employed by Sibelco;

 special mortgage/rent assistance of up to $5000 for workers who continue to reside on North Stradbroke Island;

 a commuting subsidy of up to $5000 per worker for those who continue to reside on North Stradbroke Island;

 income supplementation for permanent workers who did not receive a redundancy and continue to reside on North Stradbroke Island;

 dislocation assistance, based on length of eligible service; and

 up to $4000 to eligible employers who engage an affected worker in permanent employment continuously for six months or more.

Ms Parker said the government was also delivering the $20 million North Stradbroke Island Economic Transition Strategy, which was estimated to generate more than 150 jobs by diversifying and expanding tourism, expanding education and training opportunities and stimulating local business development and growth.

“The strategy includes a suite of 23 initiatives to be carried out in partnership with … Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, Redland City Council and Straddie Chamber of Commerce,” Ms Parker said.

State Development, treasury and education and training staff will be at the meetings which will include a brief question and answer session.

The sessions will be held at Sibelco’s island premises on July 24 at 9am and 2pm and at Sibelco’s Pinkenba premises on July 28 at 9am and 10.30am.

For more information visit https://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/growing-queensland/nsi- workers-assistance-

scheme/ or contact the employment services manager via nsiwas@dsd.qld.gov.au or phone 3415 2349.