Ports Corporation of Queensland - Our Ports - Abbot Point

COMMUNITY

The Port of Abbot Point is a key asset to the communities that surround it.

An economic impact study commissioned by PCQ in 2002 found that the port accounted for an estimated 162 full-time equivalent jobs, and that a further 268 flow-on jobs were generated by port-related activities. In total, these 430 jobs earned an estimated $19 million in household income during the 2001/2002 financial year.

PCQ actively supports and engages with the communities surrounding the Port of Abbot Point. In the last two years, PCQ has undertaken a range of local community support initiatives, including:

provision of funding support for local turtle movement surveys; and
provision of funding/sponsorship support for local community events.

ENVIRONMENT

All of the port's waters lie inside the boundaries of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The coast consists of mangroves and salt marsh/pans, sandy and boulder beaches, and rock platforms. Some coral reefs occur south of Abbot Point.

Seasnakes, turtles and dugongs have been reported in the area surrounding the port limits. Beaches in the area are used by marine turtles for nesting between November and March.

Seagrass beds have been recorded in a number of areas throughout the port region. These support nursery/feeding grounds for a number of important and endangered species, including dugongs and turtles.

Although the area of beach vegetation at Abbot Point is small, it contains a large number of plant species compared to adjacent communities. Their location along an otherwise barren stretch of coast makes them important to migrating birds.

PCQ has undertaken the following environmental initiatives at the Port of Abbot Point: