PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The environmental-impact statement (EIS) for the proposed A$1.64-billion expansion of the Townsville port is open for public comment.
Queensland’s independent Coordinator-General over the weekend released additional information about the project’s EIS, which will remain open for comment for a month.
State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said while the expansion was vital, it had to proceed at no cost to the Great Barrier Reef.
“This A$1.64-billion proposal includes deepening and widening the existing shipping lanes, construction of an outer northern harbour of the existing port, six new ship berths and a new western breakwater,” he said.
“It also includes the capital dredging of 11.4-million cubic metres of sediment to be re-used to create 152 ha of reclaimed land for the port. None of the capital dredging material is to be dumped at sea.”
The project is expected to create 174 direct jobs at the peak of construction and 180 operational jobs. The expansion will increase the port's yearly throughput from its current 9.8-million tonnes to 48-million tonnes by 2040.
Ports Minister Mark Bailey said the port of Townsville was a state priority port and that the project incorporated on-land beneficial re-use of all capital dredge material.
“Townsville is the trade and logistics hub for Northern Australia. Demand forecasts show the region will grow strongly over the next 30 years,” he said.
“This project is about making that possible: there cannot be growth without a port capable of moving the goods and freight.”
The port of Townsville services some 70% of the Northern Australian population and is the number one port in terms of copper, zinc and lead exports.
The EIS will be open for comment until November 7.