The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) has committed $1 million towards the refurbishment of the Mura Badulgal Prescribed Body Corporate office on Badu Island.
Formerly the Badu Island Childcare Centre, the site was identified as suitable to convert into a new multi-purpose office space by the owners, Mura Badulgal. The renovations will provide a commercial office space for locally owned small businesses to operate from.
The building refurbishment project also provides training initiatives and employment opportunities in specific construction industry skills, which aligns with labour market needs in the region.
Indigenous contractor, Paul Ware Construction, was awarded the building contract with Community Owned Enterprises facilitating training and employment outcomes as part of the Queensland Government’s “Skilling Queenslanders for Work Initiative”.
The project commenced on 2 November 2020, with 10 job seekers commencing their traineeship towards a Certificate I in Construction Pathways and providing the necessary skills for job opportunities in the region.
This is a significant project for the community and demonstrates the vital role in delivering infrastructure outcomes and generating jobs to benefit the community. This project will create further jobs in construction and support ongoing business opportunities during its operations.