Port of Bundaberg upgrade delivers new jobs and opportunities for local tradies

Local contractors are hard at work building the new bulk goods conveyor facility as part of the $20m Port of Bundaberg upgrade.

The Port of Bundaberg upgrade has created new jobs for local tradies.

Bundaberg companies and tradies are celebrating a $2m windfall from a major upgrade to the region’s port driving new jobs and opportunities.

In a major milestone for the joint project involving the federal government, Gladstone Ports Corporation and Sugar Terminals, work started in February on a new bulk commodity conveyor at the Port of Bundaberg.

The conveyer is the headline component of the Common User Infrastructure project that will open up the port for new products including minerals, wood chips and agricultural products.

Local contractors are working on the new bulk commodity conveyor.

Steel fabrication firm Bundaberg Machinery and Engineering is working closely with nationally recognised construction and engineering firm e2o on the new facility.

BME has been engaged with a $2m contract for the crucial role of producing steel components for the conveyer and control system towers.

More than 140 tonnes of steel will be used during construction over about five months.

The company has taken on five new tradies for the project.

Managing director Duane Crowther said the contract was a win for BME and local tradies and contractors.

“The project allows us to employ more locals, and provides the opportunity to grow our business,” Mr Crowther said.

“And it’s an opportunity to engage other local contractors.”

Other contractors sharing in the $2m windfall include Wide Bay Crane Hire and Bundaberg Sandblasting.

The Common User Infrastructure project is expected to be completed in August, 2023.

Bundaberg Sandblasting will provide corrosion protection for the steel components.

Over 2000 litres of paint will be used in applying a three-coat system to protect the components from corrosion in the coastal environment.

Bundaberg Sandblasting owner Wayne Edwards said they were still in need of resources for the project.

“We’d love to have more people, but we just can’t find the resources,” Mr Edwards said.

The shortfall in staffing means the firm is busy “like you wouldn’t believe.”

“I’ve owned this business for 25 years, and it’s always been extremely busy,” he said.

“This is on top of how busy we normally are.”

All the hard work will achieve a much-needed boost to the Bundaberg economy and regional producers once the $20m project is completed.

Gladstone Ports Corporation chief executive Craig Haymes said the project was of strategic importance to the region and the Port of Bundaberg.

“This project is about expanding the export capabilities of the Port and unlocking opportunities for regional producers to compete globally,” he said.

“In the longer term the project will invigorate Bundaberg and the Port,” Sugar Terminals chief financial officer Peter Bolton added.

Mr Edwards said as a business owner and a local the project was “awesome to see”.

“For it to finally come to fruition and have federal government assistance to make it happen, it has been awesome,” he said.

“And it will only continue to grow that whole port facility.”

The project is expected to be completed in August 2023.