Draft Ports Strategy Released

The Queensland Government has proposed declaring five Priority Port Development Areas (PPDAs) for the state’s leading long-established ports, where development will be concentrated and encouraged.

The Deputy Premier and State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Minister Jeff Seeney said the move was among the key actions in the draft Queensland Ports Strategy released today.

He said the PPDAs would be created for the ports of Brisbane, Mackay/Hay Point (two separate zones), Gladstone, Townsville and Abbot Point.

“Along Queensland’s 6,973 km coastline, there are 20 ports including 15 trading ports, two community ports, and three gazetted non-trading ports,” Mr Seeney said.

“This is the government’s blueprint for managing and improving the efficiency and environmental management of the state’s port network over the next decade.

 “This strategy will also prohibit capital dredging for the development of deep water port facilities outside of PPDAs for the next 10 years.

“This will ensure the protection of the balance of the Queensland coastline from capital dredging projects.

“We are working to have legislation in place by next year to deliver on these commitments.

“This strategy preserves and builds on the State’s commitment in the Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy to restrict any significant port development within and adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area to within port limits to 2022.

“The draft Queensland Ports Strategy aligns with the recommendation made by UNESCO that the Australian and Queensland Governments restrict port development outside the long-established major port areas within or adjoining the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

“We need to find a sensible way forward and work within the existing port networks to ensure our state can still do business but not put at risk our greatest natural asset, the Great Barrier Reef.

“In 2011-2012, these proposed PPDA ports handled 87 per cent of Queensland’s $54.5 billion in exports and were responsible for 98 per cent of the state’s imports.

“Coal is still the predominant commodity export representing 63 per cent of volumes followed by bauxite at 15 per cent and petroleum products 6 per cent.

“The remaining 16 per cent is shared by metals and minerals, general cargo, agriculture and other products.”

Mr Seeney said the Newman Government would also continue the review of port governance and improve supply chain infrastructure coordination and delivery for sustained economic growth across the state’s port network.

The draft Queensland Ports Strategy will be open for public comment until 13 December 2013.

For more information and to complete an online survey to have your say visit: www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/qps

[ENDS] 17 October 2013

Media Contact: John Wiseman – 0409 791 281 or Elizabeth Spry – 0418 928 744