Townsville Port chief executive talks ports future, exports, cruise ships and critical minerals ahead of Bush Summit
Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby is preparing to outline an ambitious vision for the future when she takes the stage at today’s Bush Summit.
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Preparing to talk to politicians and stakeholders at the 2024 Bush Summit in Townsville, chief executive officer of the Port of Townsville Ranee Crosby says the vision is to be ‘Australia’s port for the future’.
Born and raised in Townsville, Ms Crosby has been chief executive for more than ten years.
She said North Queensland is home to some of the nation’s most significant emerging opportunities that will “fuel economic growth for decades to come”.
Townsville’s port is diverse, handling over 30 different commodities.
Founded in 1864, today it is Australia’s largest exporter of zinc, copper, lead, fertiliser, sugar and molasses and is northern Australia’s largest container and automotive Port.
The Port was established to service the pastoral industry and began trading wool and sheep products. As the city and the region grew the Port was relocated to it’s current position.
“The Port of Townsville is the trade gateway for facilitating the imports and exports to enable over $30 billion worth of new projects in the region,” she said.
“We also have an important role in servicing the largest city in northern Australia and the communities across Northern Queensland with essential everyday goods.”
To ensure this, Ms Crosby said efficient and expanded port capacity is vital.
“The Port has in place Commonwealth and Queensland regulatory approvals for a $1.6 billion Port Expansion plan to cater for trade growth for decades to come, including creation of 6 new berths, 150 hectares of new land reclamation and channel widening and deepening.”
The $251 million channel widening will be completed by the end of 2024, enabling access for larger vessels to Townsville which currently bypass North Queensland.
Plans are also in place towards further expansion including a $690 million Outer Harbour Development, which would see construction of two common-user berths, seawalls and associated infrastructure.
Later this year construction will comments on a new $47 million Renewable Energy Laydow Area and transport upgrades to cater for wind turbine imports and other green energy cargo.
With the announcement of large cruise vessels coming in the 2024/25 season Ms Crosby said cruise growth is a key area of focus.
“The Port of Townsville has been actively engaging with cruise lines to help put our city on the map and we’re fast becoming a must-cruise destination,” she said.
“Passengers and crew are expected to inject almost $10 million into the local economy this season.”
With Townsville being Australia’s largest garrison city Ms Crosby said the expansion of naval and littoral capabilities and growth in the size of vessels puts the city in an important position to enable this required capability.
Ms Crosby said the Port is also working on upgrades to Townsville’s CBD waterfront.
“The Townsville Waterfront will create new mixed-use developments from the city hear to the ocean waterfront with key features including the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, Research Tower, integrated ferry terminal, commercial office accommodation, residential developments, hotels, superyacht facilities, community infrastructure including parklands, water features and boardwalks to create safe, vibrant and connected precincts,” she said.
“These will change the face of Townsville and create a city heart that locals can be proud of.”
Running a tight ship on the Port operations, Ms Crosby said the team face all types of challenges looking after the Port 24/7, 365 days a year.
“Freight must move, it is essential to our everyday lives that we can take for granted, and generally only felt during times of crisis like the pandemic, cyclones and floods,” she said.
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Originally published as Townsville Port chief executive talks ports future, exports, cruise ships and critical minerals ahead of Bush Summit
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