$232m Channel Upgrade project celebrates removal of 1 million cubic metres of dredge material
Promising to supersize the ships serving the Port of Townsville, the $232m Channel Upgrade project has dug its way to a significant milestone.
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Promising to supersize the ships serving the Port of Townsville, the $232m Channel Upgrade project has dug its way through an important milestone.
Almost a third complete, the project celebrated the removal of one million cubic metres of dredge material from Townsville’s Platypus Channel.
It is being widened from 92 metres to 180 metres at the inshore end, tapering to 120 metres at the seaward end.
Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby congratulated Hall Contracting on reaching this milestone, with channel widening works on track for completion in early 2024.
“This is a significant achievement for our contractors who have been working 24/7 to widen our 14.9-kilometre shipping channel,” Ms Ranee said.
“The Channel Upgrade project is the largest infrastructure project in the Townsville Port’s history and the first stage of the 30-year Port Expansion Project.
“All capital dredge material is being brought back to land for beneficial reuse in our 62-hectare reclamation area, which will pave the way for new berths to facilitate future growth in existing and emerging industries.”
Prior to the largest Australian-owned backhoe dredge, Woomera, starting dredging in the Platypus Channel in mid-March, the shipping channel was one of the narrowest in the country – only able to accommodate ships up to 238m in length.
Once complete in 2023, the channel upgrade will allow vessels up to 300 metres in length safe passage to the port, instead of bypassing Townsville.
About $17 million has been committed for environmental monitoring and management programs, focused on supporting dolphins, turtles, seagrass, corals and shorebirds.
Future plans revealed for reclamation area
The reclamation area will allow the Port of Townsville to expand in the future, to develop a new outer harbour, wharves, and associated infrastructure, with room for up to six new berths.
Hall Contracting CEO Cameron Hall said the crew has transferred about 715 barge loads of material, each weighing about 2,800 tonnes, back to the reclamation area.
“Moving such a substantial volume of clay, silt and mud is no small feat, especially as we are transferring the material into a wet reclamation area, which requires us to continually establish and maintain stable ground conditions for operating earthmoving equipment,” Mr Hall said.
“About 120 new jobs have been created as part of the dredging campaign, with Townsville locals comprising 93 per cent of the workforce.
“As a Queensland-based company, it was incredibly important to us to engage local suppliers and workers to deliver this project and offer training opportunities wherever possible.
“Approximately 20 people in our current workforce are undertaking apprenticeships, traineeships or bachelor’s degrees, which will help to build capacity in the Townsville region.”
Port to become hive of activity into the future
The Port of Townsville is Northern Australia’s largest container and automotive port, and a growing cruise port, and provides a vital link for the mining, agricultural, construction, energy, general cargo, retail, Defence and tourism industries.
The Channel Upgrade project is stage one of the $1.6 billion Port Expansion Project (PEP) – the 30-year long-term development plan for the port.
With trade volumes through the Port of Townsville expected to triple over the next 30 years, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King it was why the Australian Government was tipping in $75 million to help fund this upgrade.
“More trade through the port means more local jobs, a stronger economy for Townsville, and greater business opportunities in the region,” Ms King said.
“That’s in addition to the benefits this project is already delivering for Townsville, having supported employment for more than 1,700 people since starting in 2018.
“I’m thrilled this critical upgrade has hit yet another key milestone and look forward to seeing it continue to transform the port and Townsville.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey the multi-decade port expansion would deliver hundreds of millions in benefits to industries and the community.
“The Queensland Government is committed to making the Port of Townsville as accessible as possible, to increase the opportunities for import, export and defence through the port,” Mr Bailey said.
He said a key priority of the project is supporting local jobs and industries through his government’s strong local procurement policies.
“A mammoth 120 good jobs are being supported by the project, which is the Port of Townsville’s largest to date,” the minister said.
“93 per cent of these jobs are made up of Townsville workers – ensuring that this investment goes back into the local economy.”
Having recently visited the port, Resources Minister and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the sheer scale of the project was awesome.
“When complete in 2024, Townsville will reap the benefits of more opportunities, more investment and more good jobs only made possible by this project,” Mr Stewart said.
“The channel upgrade will help the region’s resources sector continue to grow, particularly for critical minerals which are becoming even more in demand.”
Originally published as $232m Channel Upgrade project celebrates removal of 1 million cubic metres of dredge material
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