A NEW cargo laydown area has been established at the Port of Townsville to service growing trades in areas including imported motor vehicles, project cargo, break bulk and general cargo.
The project, costing about $ 1.73 million, was conducted by local contractors including Townsville builder A Gabrielli Constructions and quarry operator Hy- Tec and completed in just six weeks.
It involved the transport and laying of more than 60,000 tonnes of hard rock materials sourced from Hy- Tec’s Calcium quarry west of Townsville.
Gabrielli projects manager Matt Devine said the work was welcome at a time when things were tight in the construction industry.
“It’s been a fantastic opportunity to work with the port to show what we can offer,” Mr Devine said.
“We are very appreciative to work on this project and to the port for its support of local businesses.”
Port of Townsville general manager of infrastructure and planning Kim Gebers said the project had been aimed at enhancing trade opportunities for the port but had also provided much- needed work and jobs.
“Port of Townsville were able to support local companies and a number of local jobs which saw between 25 and 30 staff engaged in the project,” Mr Gebers said.
“We have seen local businesses working together extremely well to deliver a value- for- money solution for the port.
“The works used differing truck configurations including triple road trains that moved between the HyTec quarry near Calcium to the port via the Port Access Road.”
The laydown area has been formed over about 3ha of reclaimed land.
Mr Gebers said it could be used for cargoes destined for mine developments such as Adani’s $ 16 billion Carmichael coal and rail project.
While it was difficult to predict when a start would be made to the Carmichael project, it would certainly be welcomed by the port, Mr Gebers said. “We are ready for it when it happens.”