A multi-million-dollar rock supply contract has been awarded as part of the $193 million Port of Townsville Channel Upgrade Project.
Holcim will supply a significant portion of the rock required to build the wall that will protect a 62-hectare reclamation area, which will eventually accommodate expended port infrastructure. Other suppliers will be announced in the near future.
The Channel Upgrade Project is set to support more than 125 jobs during its construction.
Port of Townsville Limited Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said more than 600,000 tonnes of core and armour rock will be required over the next 12 months for the construction of the rock wall.
“Local benefit is an important consideration in the awarding of contracts for the Channel Upgrade, and Holcim’s involvement will deliver that,” she said.
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Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the Queensland Government is committed to keeping state assets in public hands, including ports.
“Queensland’s Government-Owned Ports facilitate trade which creates jobs and investment in the Queensland economy,” Stewart said.
“Townsville Port is a major trade gateway for Northern Australia and for the nation – it is the country’s largest sugar, zinc, lead, copper and fertiliser port and Northern Australia’s largest container and automotive port.
“The Channel Upgrade project is essential for securing freight supply chains, creating jobs and investment in North Queensland and will mean bigger ships direct into Townsville reducing the cost of imports for the Queensland economy.”
Holcim General Manager Queensland Aggregates Peter Ambrose said the company had the experience needed for a major project of this scale.
“Holcim is pleased to be awarded one of the rock supply contracts for the Port of Townsville’s Channel Upgrade project and continue our proud history of supplying high quality rock for vital marine infrastructure projects,” Ambrose said.
“To meet the demands of this project, our local Roseneath quarry will grow by up to eight new team members and additional local suppliers and service companies will be engaged.’’
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the project was one of the centrepieces of the Queensland Government’s $840 million infrastructure commitment for the Townsville Region in 2018/19.
“The Port of Townsville has a proud history stretching back more than 150-years and this project marks an exciting development that will underpin its importance as one our state’s key trading ports,” Harper said.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the upgrade demonstrated the State Government’s commitment to support job creating infrastructure projects.
“The Palaszczuk Government has a $46 billion infrastructure program for Queensland that is supporting 38,000 jobs in this year alone,” Bailey said.
“That’s helped us to create almost 192,000 jobs for the Queensland economy since January 2015, and I look forward to seeing the job-boosting benefits from this project support the people and businesses of North Queensland.”