While there has been contraction in some Queensland resource-linked trades, it seems demand for LNG and CSG workers is about to explode.

The latest report by Energy Skills Queensland (ESQ) says demand for skilled workers in the new energy industries is going to take off. The industry group says it now expects double the amount of jobs to be created as previously forecast.

ESQ chief executive officer Glenn Porter says the workforce will reach a number just under 15,000 workers by 2024.

“The jobs will be in the Surat Basin, the Bowen Basin region and then the gas processing plants will be operating out of Gladstone, so there will be almost 15,000 jobs,” Porter said.

“There will be a small amount of those jobs operating out of Brisbane as well.

“We did an original plan back in 2009 which projected demand would be 7,000 workers - the number of workers is more than double of what the original projections are.”

The gas boom will bring a sharp influx of wealth to regional economies in the Mackay, Fitzroy, Wide Bay, the Darling Downs and Maranoa regions.