Work starts on master-planned future for Townsville Port

Work has officially begun on a master plan to drive economic development in and around the Port of Townsville.

State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham today announced another milestone for priority port master planning, delivering on one of the Palaszczuk Government’s key election commitments to protect the Great Barrier Reef and the state’s priority ports.

“The process is officially underway with the Port of Townsville and Townsville City Council notified and able to make submission,” he said.

“It is early days, but this is the first step towards setting a clear direction for the Port of Townsville while we help protect the Reef.”

Master planning at priority ports of Townsville, Gladstone, Abbot Point near Bowen, and Hay Point / Mackay is part of the Queensland Government’s commitments to the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan.

Parliament passed legislation in 2015 that established master planning for priority ports.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke said master planning was essential to optimising port infrastructure and protecting the Outstanding Universal Value of the reef.

“The Port of Townsville is a critical northern gateway for the state’s trade and investment and one of the major bulk-commodity ports that operate in or adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area,” she said.

 “In 2014-15 Townsville’s eight berths handled more than $11 billion in trade, serviced 70 per cent of the Northern Australia population and led Australia in exporting copper, zinc, lead and sugar.”

The next stage for the priority Port of Townsville is to assess key aspects including the land and marine precincts critical to the port’s development, infrastructure and supply chain corridors and environmental values.                                                                                                                                  

This assessment will inform preparation of a draft master plan, which is likely to be available for public consultation by the end of this year. 

Engaging the port authority, local government, state agencies and business and community groups will be an integral part of the process, as well as focusing on the region and its future economic development.

Townsville is the second priority port to commence the master planning process.

Master planning for the priority Port of Gladstone is well underway and a draft master plan is due to be released for public comment by mid-2017.  

Master planning formally starts for Abbot Point later this month, with Hay Point/ Mackay likely to commence mid-year. 

ENDS