Wide Bay Director of Regional Development Scott Rowe
Mr Rowe said more than 700 jobs had been lost in the region by the September 2020 quarter compared to 12 months earlier “so the increase in ABNs has not resulted in increased employment”.
Industries hit hard by COVID can expect a boost this year from construction activity, which will flow on to accommodation and hospitality businesses in the region, he said.
A big part of this will be from contract workers employed on construction of the $1 billion Gympie Bypass.
Last August, the Gympie region was identified as one which could potentially be at more serious risk of economic damage from the pandemic due to the nature of its dominant industries.