Quayside Terminal nearing completion of $5.9 million upgrade as thousands set to visit Townsville
The newly upgraded Townsville Quayside Terminal is expected to welcome a record-breaking number of visitors for the 2024/2025 cruise season. See all the changes.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With a record number of cruise ships scheduled to dock in Townsville in the coming months, upgrades are nearly complete at the city’s Port of Townsville Quayside Terminal.
The terminal’s bus zones and car parks are being expanded to accommodate the expected 28,756 passengers and 13,877 crew members that will visit the city in the 2024/25 season.
The upgrades are expected to inject around $10 million into the local economy.
A record 24 cruise ships, an increase in last years number of 17, are planned to stop in Townsville during cruise season including large cruise ships thanks to the widening of the port.
The current upgrades on the terminal, worth $5.9 million are expected to be complete by the end of October.
The first cruise ship of the season, Silver Muse, will arrive in Townsville on November 3, with the first larger cruise ship, the Queen Elizabeth, to arrive on January 14.
General manager of project delivery at the Port of Townsville David McLoughlin said with the influx of passengers, works had to be done to ensure the best experience for those stepping off the ships.
“We have a record number of cruise ships visiting this season,” he said.
“We’re going to see an increase of numbers from what is typically 600-900 passengers to up to 3000.”
“We need to be able to process them quickly through the terminal, to do that we are upgrading our car park and we will be putting in a 12 coach parking bay, which is an upgrade from the original four. We’ll also be installing shade structures, seating and landscaping.”
Mr McLoughlin said a game changer for the addition of large cruise ships was the widening of Townsville’s port.
“We are starting to see those larger cruise ships book the Port now after we’ve widened our channel from 90 to 180 metres to take ships up to 300m in length,” he said.
Mr McLoughlin said tourists are keen to visit the city, with visitor surveys showing those who visit enjoy their stay.
Cruise passengers stop in Townsville on a variety of cruise lines to and from other cities in Australia such as Cairns, Sydney and Brisbane and others on-route to places such as New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
“We are seeing a large demand for people to come to Townsville,” he said.
“The cruise ships that do come, we survey the passengers as they leave. The overwhelming response is that they like Townsville, we are getting four out of five scores there.”
Mr McLoughlin said the recent installation of 430 solar panels and 60 battery banks also works to harness the strong North Queensland sun to improve sustainability.
“To improve efficiency we’ve installed solar panels and battery banks at the terminal so that we become more self-sufficient,” he said.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said it was great to see Townsville recognised as the ‘jewel in the crown’ along the east coast of Queensland.
“We are starting to see those cruise companies line up and wanting to come and visit Townsville to experience North Queensland and to meet our sensational people,” he said.
“It will really showcase what we have here in the North, but also make it easier to transition people when they come to visit some of our great sights and scenery.”
Mr Stewart said local businesses will benefit from the increase in visitors.
“We are expecting $10 million injected into our local economy,” he said.
“That means visitation into our cafes, shops, looking for a bit of uniqueness of what North Queensland is. But also the ability to go out and meet and talk with people and really enjoy what we enjoy here every single day, but for our visitors from all over the world.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Quayside Terminal nearing completion of $5.9 million upgrade as thousands set to visit Townsville
‘Horrible’: Qantas flight in 6000m emergency descent
A Townsville to Brisbane flight has had to be diverted to Rockhampton after a reported cabin pressure issue forced it to drop more than 6000 metres in a matter of minutes.
20 years behind: Qld students in danger over bus seatbelt lapse
Queensland’s motoring body has slammed the state’s lack of action over a safety feature on school buses, saying it is almost 20 years behind other states, as terrified parents voice their concern.