MOURILYAN PORT DEVELOPMENT SET TO START
A major earthworks project is about to start at the Port of Mourilyan which Ports Corporation of Queensland (PCQ) is confident will ultimately accommodate new trades.
PCQ Chief Executive Officer, Brad Fish, said the earthworks project would result in a significantly expanded “hardstand” area at the port in readiness for future development.
He said the earthworks were expected to start within weeks and should be completed by the end of the year.
The new hardstand area being created by PCQ will cost about $2 million and cover about 1.5 hectares.
Mr Fish said all the necessary approvals had been obtained for the hardstand work including environmental approval to remove some vegetation located between the road into the port and the carpark for the public boat ramp.
In a separate project, work is likely to start soon on construction of a livestock holding facility at the port which will open the potential for a major increase in live cattle export numbers through Mourilyan.
He said Mourilyan had significant potential for expansion. “It is geographically well located to capture new trades and this preparatory work is a signal of our confidence that new business will ultimately come to the port”.
“Among the trades which have been discussed for Mourilyan are the export of timber products and other trades like fertiliser, fuel and mineral products are also possibilities into the future.
Mr Fish stressed that any works planned at this point did not involve any changes to the public boat ramp and carpark area. “If any major projects do materialise the continued provision of public boating facilities will be a priority.”
The live cattle facility is being developed by Sugarbag, a north Queensland cattle company, which will construct the facility on land at the port owned by PCQ.
The facility is expected to be constructed in the next six months with road and some site works for the project having been completed some time ago.
Sugarbag have developed two feedlot accredited live export depots, one at Mt Garnet and one at Upper Daradgee (near Innisfail). The addition of the port marshalling yard would allow them to keep animals in prime general condition immediately before exporting.
The marshalling yard will allow 1,200 head to be held at the port for a period of up to 24 hours before export.
There will be zero discharge of waste into the harbour. Portable races comprising a fixed floor and a roof will be placed on the wharf to guide the cattle to the ship.
The livestock export chain developed by Sugarbag is the only registered live export depot chain in North Queensland.
PCQ has increased its efforts to diversify trade through Mourilyan in recent times.
“With the continued economic pressure on the sugar industry, PCQ has refocused its efforts to attract other trades through the port in an effort to ease cost pressures on port users and help ensure the port’s long-term viability,” Mr Fish said.
“Live cattle have been exported through the port for eight years and this proposal will see additional trade through the introduction of another exporter.”
The facility will be constructed at the eastern end of the port adjacent to the former Coast Guard building.
ends
25 October 2006
For further information:
Gary Campbell
Corporate Relations Manager
Ports Corporation of Queensland
Phone 3224 4346
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