WILCO Logistics Pty Ltd has been announced as the successful bid contractor on Breakwater safety works at the Port of Townsville.
Minister for Ports Mark Bailey said the overall $1.5 million project will improve navigational safety at the Townsville Port by widening the entrance to the harbour, but does not involve any capital dredging works.
“This project is another step towards being able to accommodate larger vessels at the Townsville Port and will also improve the navigational safety of vessels already entering our harbour,” he said.
“Best of all, local North Queensland contractors will once again be engaged to complete important infrastructure improvement works, meaning more local jobs for this community.
“This project will kick off next month and we anticipate the works will be completed by the end of the year.”
General Manager Infrastructure and Planning Kim Gebers said that the project involved the removal and relocation of approximately 120 metres of the far northern end of the rock wall.
“The entrance to Townsville’s Inner Harbour was developed more than 100 years ago when vessels requiring access to Townsville were much smaller,” he said.
“There is a definite global trend of vessel sizes becoming larger which improves the efficiency and safety of sea transport as well as improving economies of scale for moving commodities.”
“I’m please to assure the community the Port will maintain access for recreational fishing and walking along the wall outside the works area.”
During the works period, a section of the far northern Breakwater (immediately adjacent to and including the work site) will be closed to public access for safety reasons.