There is a renewed push to help the flood-devastated town of Grantham back on the map.

The ‘Lockyer Valley Community Futures Project’ will open up job opportunities for local residents in the wake of the devastating January floods.

Max Kosmala reports.

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The $2.5 million project is a partnership between Skills Queensland, the Master Builders Association and the Lockyer Valley Regional Council.

The aim of the scheme is to give local residents priority in taking on jobs in the rebuilding effort for Grantham.

The scheme already has 12 workers and apprentices working on the development.

Derek Pingel, Master Builders Association President: “So what were having is the local people, the local trainees, the local apprentices, rebuilding their local communities which I think is fantastic.”

Grantham was one of the worst hit areas by the January floods where more than 100 homes were damaged.

To secure the town’s future, home owners were given the opportunity to swap their low lying blocks for ones on higher ground.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Councillor Steve Jones: “When you look at other areas where theres been major devastation in Australia, most people pack up and they leave, in this case we’ll have new families moving in and a really positive atmosphere.”

The Mayor of Lockyer Valley Steve Jones says the project is a great opportunity to give the community a real boost.

Lockyer Valley Mayor, Councillor Steve Jones: “It’s giving us a great opportunity to move forward and develop the site here, particularly the landscape, the parks, all those sort of things and give the apprentices a whole leap forward.”

The Community Futures Project will also provide long term skills development for workers.

CEO Skills Qld, Rod Cam: “They’ll have a range of qualification in the construction and civil construction industry, which will make them very portable, elsewhere into that industry.”

With around 120 new blocks available, the council says it is ontrack to see the first of the flood affected families move into their new homes by Christmas.

The Lockyer Valley Regional Council expects that midway through next year most of the people would have relocated.

Max Kosmala, QUT News.