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Townsville Port upgrade gets underway

Major works on the $118 million upgrade of Townsville Port in Queensland get underway

October 6, 2011

Major works on the $118 million Townsville Port project are underway, with the funds going toward upgrades to two berths to accommodate larger ships and secure long-term exports.

Turning the first sod on the project today, Premier Anna Bligh says the upgrade to Berth 8 of the port will secure the future of mineral concentrates and fertiliser product from northwest Queensland. A 3000 tonne-an-hour loader will also be constructed.

Bligh says mineral concentrates and fertiliser product are worth more than $1 billion a year to Queensland’s economy.

The Port of Townsville is funding the $33 million upgrade of Berth 8 which is scheduled for completion in mid-2012. Xstrata will invest in a new ship loader and conveyors on the refurbished berth, with the new facilities to be operational by mid-2013.

Along with a new passenger terminal, the upgrade will also rebuild and lengthen Berth 10 to accommodate Australia’s new warships.

The $85 million Berth 10 project is jointly funded, with Queensland contributing $36.16 million. The Federal Government has pledged $34 million, Port of Townsville $10 million, while the Townsville City Council is investing $4.84 million to upgrade connecting roads.

“The $34 million federal investment in this project comes on top of the investment we are making in the Douglas Arterial, the Townsville Port Access Road and the fourth Stage of the Townsville Ring Road,” Queensland Senator Jan McLucas says.

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