The largest infrastructure project in the history of the Port of Townsville has reached a major milestone this week, with the completion of the $232 million Channel Upgrade project’s rock wall.
The Port of Townsville is the largest commercial Port in Northern Australia, but at just 92 metres, the shipping channel is one of the narrowest in the country.
Currently, vessels up to 238 metres in length can safely access the Port. However, ships are getting larger with each passing year, so the Port needs to adapt so it can continue to service the needs of North Queensland’s growing industries and community.
Constructing the 2.2-kilometre rock wall is the first critical step in widening Townsville’s shipping channel to allow larger ships to access the Port.
The material recovered as the dredging team starts to widen almost 15 kilometres of sea channels over the next two years will be used to reclaim the area behind the wall and support a 62-hectare expansion.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, said the channel upgrade is a key project under the Townsville City Deal.
“This is a major milestone in the channel upgrade project, which is not only the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken at the Port of Townsville, but will help position Townsville as the economic gateway to Asia and Northern Australia,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This project is one of many significant investments that we’re making through the City Deal, which is helping to generate local jobs, drive economic growth, and ensure that Townsville is a vibrant and liveable city for years to come.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, the Hon. Mark Bailey MP, said upgrading the port’s channels will support Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, unlocking capacity for commercial, defence and cruise ships up to 300 metres long.
“We know that when the port is strong, close to 800,000 Queenslanders reap the benefits,” Minister Bailey said.
“That’s why we’re investing in this largest-ever port upgrade, which is supporting local jobs and providing work to local suppliers now during construction and will expand the trading capacity of one of Queensland’s largest publicly-owned ports.”
Federal Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson MP, said the project was critical to enabling the city to reach its full potential.
“This is the largest port in Northern Australia but there’s still room for growth, so that’s why we’ve invested in this project,” Mr Thompson said.
“This is a great example of what the City Deal can achieve when all levels of government work together – not only investing in critical infrastructure to unlock our economic potential, but also creating jobs for locals in the process.”
Queensland Resources Minister and State Member for Townsville, the Hon. Scott Stewart MP, said the Channel Upgrade will support jobs in the Townsville region, providing local opportunities during North Queensland’s economic recovery.
“The project has so far provided employment to more than 1,300 people since 2018, when design work started,” Minister Stewart said.
“Expanding the Port of Townsville’s footprint builds capacity for our resources sector to export more to the world through our pit to port approach, which involves upgrading the Mt Isa to Townsville rail line too.”
“The resources sector plays a vital role in supporting jobs across the state and it will be a key part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19,” he said.
“More exports means more royalties, and more jobs for Queenslanders.”
Port of Townsville Chief Infrastructure Officer, Marissa Wise, added that seven local rock suppliers provided 900,000 tonnes of rock, with the construction of the 10-metre-high wall requiring specialist knowledge.
“It was a complex project that called on the marine construction expertise of designers, engineers, environmental experts and contractors working together,” Ms Wise shared.
“We have used a number of innovative design and construction techniques to ensure the rock wall withstands tidal action, storm surges, cyclones and rising sea levels.”
Of the more than 1,300 people employed by the project since 2018, over 90 per cent were Queenslanders, 10 per cent First Nations people and more than 6 per cent trainees and apprentices.
During the peak construction phase of the rock wall, there were 200 trucks passing through the site gates every day to deliver over 20,000 tonnes of rock a week.
Dredging to widen Townsville’s 14.9-kilometre shipping channel will commence shortly, with all dredge material to be placed in a 62-hectare reclamation area bounded by the rock wall. Dredging is expected to take two years, with the project set for completion in late 2023.
The Port has committed $17 million for environmental monitoring and management programs as part of the project, including those covering dolphins, turtles, seagrass, coral and shorebirds, with an Independent Technical Advisory Committee providing expert oversight.
The Channel Upgrade project is the largest infrastructure project in the Townsville Port’s history and is the first stage of the 30-year Port Expansion Project.
The Townsville Port Channel Upgrade is a joint project of the Australian and Queensland governments, and Port of Townsville Limited, and forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016.
