The city’s current boom in commercial construction places Mount Isa as the leading hotspot for construction jobs in North Queensland.

Mayor Tony McGrady said according to the data, the city’s industrial building was second in the top five areas in the 2013-2014 financial year, with almost $60 million in building approvals under way.

“When figures reveal that Mount Isa is ahead of places like Townsville, it demonstrates irrefutable evidence that our city is destined to advance to greater opportunities and economic development,” Cr McGrady said.

“The strength of our ongoing mining operations and ever-increasing potential in the resources sector, as well as projects such as city-wide sewerage infrastructure are only adding to the pool of current construction works.

 “With a projected population in Mount Isa of 33,000 by the year 2040, it makes sense that the city is undergoing a spike in construction and building.”

 Cr McGrady said a possible decision to link the rail system from Mount Isa to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory following a federal inquiry into developing northern Australia would  enhance the current construction phase.

 Cr McGrady said he encouraged residents to focus on the positive future of Mount Isa.

 “We can confidently do so based on the facts provided by the most reputable organisation in our country. The merchants of doom and gloom have had their five minutes of glory – let’s all pull together and present this city as one which is certainly outpacing most others.”

A Mount Isa builder said the construction boom in the city was of very little benefit to local tradesmen and builders. 

The builder, who spoke on condition of anonymity, agreed there was strong activity in the commercial construction industry, but said there wasn’t much in it for locals.

“Those stats would be based on multiple dwellings like townhouses,” he said. 

“That side of the industry is busy, but local tradies rarely get work out of them, they are all done by people from out of town.’’

He said out-of-town builders regularly won the contracts for commercial construction projects due to the high cost of Mount Isa living and expense for trades and materials.

 “The locals bid higher because we have higher wages, cost of living, rent, et cetera,” he said.

 “Some of the tender winners from the coast run at a loss just to keep work going.”