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Port launches $50,000 Community Fund
The Port of Townsville and its customers are today launching their new annual Community Fund which will make $50,000 available to local charities, not-for-profits, schools, universities and community groups this year. The Community Fund seeks to support a broad range of local initiatives that align with the Port’s strategic vision to create improved sustainability in four key areas: Planet, Community, People and Prosperity. Port of Townsville General Manager Business Strategies and Sustainability Claudia Brumme-Smith said the Port community was thrilled to continue supporting the important work of community organisations through the new Community Fund. “The Port of Townsville and its customers have been involved in almost every aspect of life in Townsville and the region for more than 150 years. With ports in Townsville and Lucinda, we have a strong relationship with communities as far west as Mount Isa in the North West Minerals Province and from the Burdekin to Hinchinbrook,” she said. “Our staff and our customers live and work in these communities, and we know that vibrant and connected communities are important to our quality of life. Now more than ever, with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional non-for-profit organisations need our support whether it is in-kind or monetary and the Port community aims to lead by example. This new fund is designed to help do that now and into the future. “Establishing this fund is an important element of our new Port Vision 2050 – our blueprint for the next 30 years. We are striving for world leading port sustainability by combining efficient operations with social responsibility and innovative environmental practises. “We are excited to see the ideas and projects that applicants put forward and eager to help them achieve their goals.” Applications are invited for sponsorship amounts of $200 up to $10,000 between 1 March until mid-April. We call on the Townsville community, charities, not-for profits, schools and universities to share projects with us. To learn more, visit https://www.townsville-port.com.au/community/community-fund/
Car Imports Motoring On
New car sales are surging across northern Australia with the Port of Townsville recording its highest motor vehicle import figures in history last quarter. Almost 6,000 vehicles arrived through the Port between October and December 2020, and October fell just six cars shy of the Port’s biggest month on record with 2,245 cars being discharged that month. Port of Townsville Manager Trade Development, Maria James, said the hike in Townsville vehicle imports last quarter was in line with national car sale trends. “We experienced some downturn in early 2020 due to manufacturing backlogs in Japan, which contributed to larger import numbers towards the second half of the year as the industry began to recover,” Ms James said. “Industry experts indicate COVID-19 overseas and interstate travel restrictions have seen more North Queenslanders purchase all-wheel-drive vehicles, like SUVs and utes, to explore their own backyard,” Ms James said. “It is very promising to see such strong consumer demand in the North for vehicles,” she said. Townsville’s vehicle imports bucked a national downward trend in new car sales in the 2020 calendar year. While the Australian car market recorded its lowest year since 2003, imports at the Port of Townsville rose 8 per cent in 2020 despite the slowdown in the first half of the year. “In addition to growth in motor vehicle imports, the Port has also recorded an increase in trucks and heavy machinery arriving from overseas – a sign ship owners are setting out to diversify cargo on roll-on roll-off vessels,” Ms James said. “The Port has recently completed a $2.5 million extension to its Roll-on Roll-off wharf, allowing us to facilitate larger car carrying vessels,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s good news for every motorist in the North. As we bring in larger vessels, we can welcome larger car import numbers, creating savings for car dealerships and new car buyers right across the region,” Ms James said.