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Vision for the Port's bright future
Since its establishment in 1864, the Port of Townsville has served the people and industries of Northern Queensland and has been a major driver in creating jobs and economic growth which are essential ingredients for a vibrant community. Over 150 years, the Port footprint has grown from the upper reaches of Ross Creek into the inner harbour and beyond. Today, the Port of Townsville has released its vision for the next 30 years, charting a course for the delivery of sustainable prosperity as Australia’s Port for the Future. Port Vision 2050 is a 30-year sustainability plan for Australia’s largest copper, lead, zinc, sugar and live cattle port. The 12 strategic objectives and 27 initiatives across four priority areas of planet, community, people and prosperity capture the Port's long-term vision and sets a clear roadmap for how to get there. This includes the specific actions the Port will take over the next five years to achieve its goals. Among the 30-year goals are: becoming climate-positive, climate-ready port, planting an additional million trees and halving baseline emissions transforming 10 hectares of land along Ross Creek into vibrant waterfront destinations, supporting $5 million in local community projects through a newly established Port Community Fund; and delivering the $1.6 billion port expansion in line with trade needs and facilitating more than $700 billion in economic value for Northern Australia Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said Port Vision 2050 upholds the Port’s long and proud tradition of servicing and strengthening communities and economic prosperity of Northern Queensland. “We exist to create prosperity for our communities and value for our customers and shareholders through worldleading sustainable operations. Looking forward to 2050, we will be more than 180 years old. To continue to serve our communities, grow the trades and services of the future and ensure strategic defence and cruise capability for the future, our Ports will require expansion and modernisation. As we grow, we have a sharp focus on ensuring our developments and operations protect and improve our surrounding environment and the lives of our communities” said Ms Crosby. “Port Vision 2050 reaffirms our commitment to protect and improve our environment and the lives of our communities. “We will also capitalise on the digital transformation and technological changes that are rapidly unfolding, becoming as Smart Port of Choice for customers and an Employer of Choice where people can thrive. “Our plan will take commitment, investment, innovation, partnership and urgent action. We are confident our journey is the right one for the planet, our people, the communities we serve, and for the prosperity of our region.” Port Vision 2050 has been developed with insight collected through a comprehensive materiality assessment and aligned to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). More information can be found on www.townsvilleport2050.com.au
More jobs in Channel Upgrade project's biggest contract
The Port of Townsville has announced the awarding of the largest contract of the $232 million Channel Upgrade project to Hall Contracting Pty Ltd. The works include capital dredging to widen 14.9 kilometres of sea channels over two years and reclamation of 62 hectares of land through beneficial reuse of dredged material. Employing a local workforce of more than 70 full-time employees, the contract follows the extensive work over the past 18-months to build a 2.2 kilometre rock perimeter wall to receive the material. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said Queensland-based Hall Contracting has partnered with Townsville-based Pacific Marine Group to offer extensive experience in dredging and reclamation. The pair has committed to almost 100% of this project being resourced from Queenslandbased businesses. ``Hall Contracting has presented the best offer to complete the works,” Ms Crosby said. ``Their strong commitment to local industry and First Nations people’s participation as well as employment and learning opportunities for tertiary students, apprentices and trainees presents significant opportunities for our region. Over the course of the project they will provide meaningful training across a range of vocations including vessel crew, marine engineers, diesel fitters, hydraulic fitters, boilermakers, earthmoving operators and dredge operators.” ``We regard this project as one of the most iconic dredging projects in Australia’s history and an important step in the development of both the Port of Townsville and the city itself. Our recently acquired backhoe dredge, Woomera, is the largest Australian-owned dredge of its kind and will arrive in Townsville to commence works next year,” said Hall Contracting CEO Cameron Hall. Pacific Marine Group CEO Kevin Chard said: ``We are a born and bred North Queensland company who have operated in Townsville for more than 25 years. PMG is committed to local employment and development of our youth through partnerships with locals such as NRL Cowboys House and Tec-NQ’’ The Channel Upgrade project will widen the current shipping channel from 92-metres to 180-metres at the inshore (Port) end, tapering to 120-metres wide in the Sea Channel, increasing the size of cargo, cruise and defence vessels able to access the Port of Townsville. ``Channel widening is critical for Townsville Port to grow as Northern Australia's trade hub, and to continue servicing communities in North Queensland,” Ms Crosby said. ``Our aim is to deliver competitive solutions for customers and more economic supply chains for retailers operating across the region by establishing a port of call option preferred by shipping lines. Townsville Port makes sense for the climate and economy with reduced carbon emissions for freight, lower costs of general goods and improved resilience for Northern Queensland in disasters.’’ 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. An Independent Technical Advisory Committee is also providing expert oversight of the monitoring programs during the capital dredging works. Hall Contracting is expected to begin capital dredging in May 2021. The Channel Upgrade is a joint project of the Queensland and Australian governments, and Port of Townsville Limited. The Channel Upgrade is a key initiative under the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016. Fast facts: The shipping channel will be widened from 92m to 180m at the Port end, and taper to 120m at the seaward end The wider shipping channel will allow vessels of up to 300m to safely access the Port Best practice dredging methods and equipment will ensure minimal environmental impact All capital dredge material will be transported to land for beneficial reuse in a 62ha port reclamation area A 2.2km rock wall, which is due for completion in early 2021, will bund the reclamation area for future expansion Construction of the perimeter rock wall began in March 2020, with the rock being stockpiled at the Port for the past 18 months Seven local suppliers have made more than 17,000 deliveries of rock totalling almost 700,000 tonnes for the wall construction
Swire Shipping increases shipping frequency into Townsville with newly built ship
Swire Shipping has launched its upgraded North Asia Express (NAX) service with the addition of its newly built 2,750 container vessel, Lae Chief. The enhanced service will increase Swire Shipping’s shipping frequency into Townsville from 20 days to 14 days. Connecting North Asia with Papua New Guinea and Australia on a fixed-day fortnightly basis, the newly upgraded service will be supported through the deployment of three ships each with the capacity of carrying up to 2,750 containers.
New crane heralds a change on Townsville's horizon
Move over Sugar Shaker, there is a new giant in town. Assembly of the first ship-to-shore crane purchased by the Port of Townsville since the 1970s is now underway. The Liebherr Super Post Panamax Ship-to-Shore crane is the final component of the Port’s $30 million upgrade to its multi-user cargo handling facility. Once assembled, the crane will stand almost 100m high, dwarfing Townsville’s current tallest structure, the Grand Chancellor Hotel, by approximately 24m. Painted in the Port of Townsville’s blue and gold corporate colours the crane will cut a striking figure on the city’s skyline. It also offers superior handling ability, with the capability to lift two 20-foot shipping containers at once equating to 70 tonnes.