The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Townsville Port Expansion Project has been approved by the Federal Government.
The government’s approval of the EIS for the project means that preliminary works on Stage 1, the $193 million Channel Widening Project, could kick off before April this year, pending a resolution on final funding between the State and Federal Governments, announced the port.
Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said that the $1.64 billion, 30-year development plan would ensure the port could expand to allow it to become a globally competitive port.
“ After nearly ten years in the planning phase, our team is looking forward to getting works underway to widen the shipping channels into the Townsville Port ,” said Ms Crosby.
“ The EIS was a very rigorous environmental review and project assessment, so we are delighted to have now received the go-ahead for the project from both the Queensland Coordinator General and the Federal Government ,” she said.
“ Bigger ships coming to Townsville will mean lower shipping costs for freight, better connectivity to global trade markets, as well as allowing larger cruise ships to visit the city, which will further boost cruise tourism in the region. At the moment Townsville cannot accept ships longer than 238 meters in length, which by today’s global standards is completely inadequate, ” she added.
Port of Townsville will fund $43 million for the Channel Capacity Upgrade, the Queensland Government has confirmed a $75 million funding commitment and has sought a matched $75 million contribution from the Federal Government for the project to proceed.
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