Apprentices from the Rockhampton’s Rookwood Weir project have applied their newly acquired skills to benefit Central Queensland families in need.
Two cubby houses built by young workers on the project have been donated to community‑based organisation, Roseberry Qld, which provides services for young people and families.
The 3m x 2.2m structures, made with weatherboard cladding and a corrugated plastic roof, were presented to Roseberry Qld, which is based in Rockhampton and Gladstone.
One of the cubby houses will be delivered to Roseberry Qld’s Gladstone office, with the second going to a property located in the region to provide a play environment for young children.
The Rookwood Weir Alliance collaborated on the initiative with Construction Skills Training Centre, while cubby house materials were supplied by the project and local businesses, Konnect Fastening Systems and CQ Fasteners.
More than 30 apprentices and trainees have worked on the Rookwood Weir project, with six of them helping to build the cubby houses.
The initiative was an opportunity for the apprentices to learn different building techniques and develop carpentry skills such as flooring, stairs, wall and roof framing, cladding, lining, door and window installation and painting.
Construction on the weir is now more than 95% complete, with more than 123,000m3 of the required 130,000m3 of concrete in place.
At its peak more than 360 workers were on site, and the project remains on track for construction to be finished later this year, weather permitting.
“Rookwood Weir is a critical project for our region and one that has delivered important benefits in local jobs, skills and training and economic opportunity,” said Rockhampton Mayor, Tony Williams.
“This is a real and tangible example of how these projects can give back to the community and make a difference to local families and groups.”
Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton said the weir project continued to. make great progress, having completed construction activities on the left bank cut-off wall and eight of the weir’s 13 monoliths.
“Sunwater and our Alliance partners would like to thank the Central Queensland community for welcoming and working with our project team as we deliver this key water infrastructure asset,” he said.
“We’re pleased to be able to provide support to Roseberry, who do such a great job helping the vulnerable in Central Queensland.
“Our focus now is on completing the remaining six monoliths, erosion protection slabs on the left bank and stilling basins.”
