FOLLOWING PORT OF TOWNSVILLE’S
CHANNEL UPGRADE THE PORT OF TOWNSVILLE’S $232 MILLION CHANNEL UPGRADE PROJECT IS SET TO EXPAND THE SERVICES OF WHAT IS ALREADY NORTHERN AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL PORT. ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE REPORTS.
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he Port of Townsville provides a vital link for the mining, agricultural, construction, energy, general cargo and retail sectors, along with the Defence and cruise industries. The Port has supported North Queensland industries for over 150 years since it was established in 1864. This has included supporting Australia’s World War II campaign and the region’s emerging trade, particularly in the 1950s and 60s. To continue connecting North Queensland’s goods and services with the rest of the world, the Port is now undergoing the most significant upgrade in its history. At just 92 metres wide, Townsville’s
shipping channel is one of the narrowest in the country and can only accommodate ships no larger than 238 metres in length. As ships are getting larger, the channel must be widened to ensure vessels can safely access the Port, instead of bypassing Townsville. The $232 million channel upgrade project will see the port end of the Platypus Channel widened to 180 metres, tapering to 120 metres offshore to accommodate vessels up to 300 metres in length. The project forms part of the $1.6 billion Port Expansion Project, a longterm development plan for the Port of Townsville which will include the channel widening and deepening, land reclamation
and construction of a new outer harbour, berths and other associated infrastructure. OVERCOMING CHALLENGES The Port Expansion Project went through rigorous environment impact assessments by the Queensland and Australian governments before approvals were granted in 2017 and 2018. Last year, the project hit a major milestone with the completion of the 2.2-kilometre, 10-metre-high rock wall, which encloses a 62-hectare reclamation area. Since April 2019, local suppliers had been tasked to deliver more than 800,000 tonnes of rock to the Port to support the construction of the wall.
The Port of Townsville’s Channel Upgrade project will widen the shipping channel to accommodate the movement of larger vessels.
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ROADS FEBRUARY 2022
