Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader and candidates support Townsville Enterprises push for Port of Townsville expansion

The Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader and Townsville candidates have backed plans to expand the Port of Townsville, saying the upgrades would increase the potential of the North’s economic future.

KAP candidate for Mundingburra Michael Pugh, candidate for Townsville Margie Ryder, TEL CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith, Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto and candidate for Thuringowa Reuben Richardson as the KAP backs TEL's push for the port expansion project.

The Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader and Townsville candidates have backed plans to expand the Port of Townsville, saying the upgrades would increase the potential of the North’s economic future.

Throwing their support behind one of Townsville Enterprise’s ‘Unlock the North’ election priorities, the Townsville Port Expansion Project would see the construction of two common-user berths, seawalls and trunk infrastructure to allow for larger vessels.

Townsville Enterprise is calling for a $240 million dollar investment from the state government for the upgrades.

With demand growing for trade, renewable energy and critical minerals exports, Hinchinbrook MP and KAP deputy leader Nick Dametto said the port expansion aligned with the party’s commitment for new opportunities and developing infrastructure across the North.

“The Townsville Port is not just a gateway for North Queensland — it’s a gateway for Australia. Expanding the port’s capacity will unlock over $500 billion in critical minerals deposits and will ensure North Queensland remains a leader in Australia’s economic future,” Mr. Dametto said.

Port of Townsville plan concept.

“We strongly support projects such as this proposed by TEL because a key priority for the KAP is to build generational infrastructure that will last lifetimes. “

Mr Dametto said future state governments must look ahead into the future, instead of four-year plans, and start building infrastructure for “decades to come”.

KAP candidate for Townsville Margie Ryder said the port expansion will be a “game changer” for industries including mining, renewable energy and manufacturing.

“Townsville’s port handles over 30 commodities, supports Defence and cruise facilities, and has the potential to create thousands of jobs,” she said.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Claudia Brumme-Smith said she welcomed the support of the Katter’s and that it was a really important sign “that the power in the North needs to be brought back”.

“We are contributing $22 billion dollars every single year to the local and state economy, we want to see that money coming back,” she said.

Noting the port was a state-owned asset, Ms Brumme-Smith said the investment needs to come from the government.

“The Katter party understood how important this port asset is, this is a port city, we are founded around the port and the prosperity of this city is linked, critically linked, to this port and the port expansion,” she said.

Originally published as Katter’s Australian Party deputy leader and candidates support Townsville Enterprises push for Port of Townsville expansion