Twenty-five year partnership worth $130 million; construction to begin soon
Building and construction material company Boral Cement will construct a new clinker grinding and cement facility at GeelongPort after both parties reached a 25-year, $130 million agreement.
The facility has been designed to handle up to 1.3 million tonnes of cementitious products per annum, and will be connected by a conveyor system to Lascelles Wharf to provide discharge and processing efficiencies.
The deal was struck in anticipation of the future demand for construction materials in the Victorian region, with works approval finalised last year.
Boral Cement has already operated at GeelongPort for seven years, with the latter’s CEO Brett Winter welcoming the partnership extension.
“Our facilities, complemented by our experienced people and freight connections, offer Boral Cement advantages to their long-term business outlook and supports their customers,” Winter says.
“Securing long-term sustainable solutions through visionary partnerships enhances our capacity to continue to drive the region’s economy.”
The facility is mooted for operation in 2020. Construction will commence soon, with wharf-side works incorporating ship unloading equipment, including wharf side hoppers and a conveying system linked directly to the facility.
Boral Cement executive general manager Ross Harper says the project will deliver a world-class operation and reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the Victorian construction market.
“It will have the capacity and operational flexibility to provide our customers with secure supply of a broad range of products that supports their growth,” he adds.
GeelongPort says Geelong and the greater Victorian market is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by population surges and associated government infrastructure programs, and the new facility will allow Boral to increase its capacity to meet future Victorian infrastructure demand, with the long-term agreement highlighting the benefits of strengthening alliances with global operators and the flow-on effect it can have to local and regional economies.
“GeelongPort is committed to building infrastructure to foster growth and prosperity for our city and the region,” Winter says.