Construction tender to be awarded for new Bundaberg Port facility

Federal MP Keith Pitt has reminded the Qld govt of the commonwealth’s $17.7m injection into the new Common User Infrastructure project after state MP Tom Smith claimed the project was funded by the State Government.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt has called out the State Government for claiming the Common User Infrastructure Facility as its own investment.

The $20 million project will see a new bulk goods conveyor facility built at Bundaberg Port with the successful tender expected to be named in coming weeks.

The facility will improve loading and increase export for a wide range of goods including minerals, timber products (wood pellets and woodchip) and agricultural produce.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said the State Government had given the green light to Gladstone Ports Corporation and Sugar Terminals Limited to award a construction tender for the Common User Infrastructure project, and claimed the State Government funded the project.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Port of Bundaberg, with a successful construction tender expected to be awarded in the coming weeks,” Mr Smith said in a written statement.

“This massive infrastructure investment by the Palaszczuk Government will deliver a new bulk materials loading and conveyor belt system for the port, increasing Bundy’s export capabilities and supporting local industries,” the statement said.

Mr Smith took aim at the LNP, saying the project highlighted the importance of keeping Queensland ports publicly owned.

“The previous LNP government under Campbell Newman tried to sell off Queensland’s ports, but by keeping them in public hands we can make sure we are supporting local jobs on projects such as the Common User Infrastructure Facility,” he said.

“It is also a great example of a government-owned corporation in GPC working with local industry in STL to create better infrastructure at the Port of Bundaberg.”

Mr Smith said the project would create a number of local jobs.

“The project is worth more than $20 million and will support dozens of local Bundy construction jobs plus ongoing jobs at the port,” he said.

Mr Pitt was quick to correct Mr Smith, saying he committed $10 million through the Hinkler Regional Deal for the new export facility.

“The Member for Bundaberg has got more front than a cotton shirt to claim that the common-use conveyor at the Port of Bundaberg was a State project,” the Hinkler MP said.

“Through the Hinkler Regional Deal, I committed $10 million for the conveyor and due to the State Government dragging out the approval process and delaying it for three years, I had to secure an additional $7.7 million for this project, which was announced in the Budget.”

The GPC and STL also helped fund the project to meet the $20million cost.

Mr Pitt and Sugar Terminals Ltd chairman Mark Gray met to discuss the additional project funding boost of $7.7 million being provided by the Federal Government.

Mr Pitt said the Federal Government’s funding commitment to the project was now up to $17.7 million.

“I am pleased to finally see this project come to fruition so the potential of the Port of Bundaberg will be realised,” he said.

Once this conveyor is operational, I expect it to attract new commodities like minerals, timber products - wood pellets and woodchip - and agricultural produce, which can be exported from Bundaberg.

“To strengthen our economy, we need to add as many strings to the bow as possible and the Port of Bundaberg still has a lot of untapped potential.

Mr Gray said he welcomed the $17.7 million funding and was looking forward to announcing the name of the successful contractor.

“Whilst we remain committed to continuing to support the Sugar Industry in this region, the construction of this infrastructure will provide further scope to better utilise our assets to support other export orientated opportunities in the Region,” Mr Gray said.

The contractor will be announced in the coming weeks, with the project expected to be completed and commissioned by early 2023.