A Chevallum company specialising in mining exploration says a $75,000 grant from the state government will help the business expand into new areas.
GeoDrill Australia, a family-owned business that works in mineral and coal exploration, as well as geotechnical and water drilling services, will use the Business Growth Fund grant to enhance the capabilities of its fleet of three Hydrapower HP850 drilling rigs.
The business will engage a Toowoomba-based engineering firm to design, engineer and implement rig enhancements, which will upgrade depth capacity beyond 3000m and allow the business to remain competitive with interstate drilling rivals.
GeoDrill Australia managing director Thomas Partleton said the funding would go towards launching a new brand, GD Water Solutions.
“We will service rural Queensland, providing end-to-end water solutions to Queensland businesses and families,” he said.
“As a family-owned, fourth-generation Queensland-based drilling business, the Business Growth Fund allowed us to further enhance the exceptional drilling capacity of our three Queensland-manufactured Hydrapower HP850 drilling rigs.”
Mr Partleton said the government’s support had helped the business grow by 44 per cent and employ an additional 12 team members last year.
“It’s keeping us competitive,” he said.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Lance McCallum visited GeoDrill Australia and said he was pleased to see the funding support Queensland jobs.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and our economy, which is why the Miles Labor government is proud to support them and help them grow,” he said.
“Each of these businesses have identified speciality equipment that will help take their operations to the next level.
“Backing our hard-working small businesses means a bigger and more robust economy.”
GeoDrill Australia was one of three Sunshine Coast businesses to benefit from the latest round of the state government’s Business Growth Fund.
Related story: Fisheries business among local groups to land funding
Minyama-based Telge Fisheries, which provides trawler-caught seafood to restaurants and retail outlets in Australia and abroad, will use a $75,000 grant to purchase and install a high-tech weighing and packaging machine.
At the same time, Cooroy company Studio Steel will spend $57,000 to support the purchase of a Trimble X9 scanning package to expand scanning capabilities and access new customers in new markets.
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