Appointments made to port board
Published Thursday, 27 September, 2007 at 12:24 PM
Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
A former chairman of the Port of Brisbane Corporation and Central Queensland Ports Authority, Ross Dunning, has been appointed chair of Townsville Port Authority.
Transport Minister John Mickel announced today Mr Dunning would replace Ron Mclean who has retired.
He will be joined by another new director, Professor Sandra Harding, the vice chancellor and president of James Cook University.
"This is an exciting time of growth for Townsville, and a strong team will lead the Townsville Port Authority," Mr Mickel said.
"Mr Dunning will bring his considerable experience to the role of chair.
"I'm confident he'll lead the Townsville Port Authority with authority and enthusiasm, ensuring the port authority will meet the challenges ahead.
"He will be capably assisted by fellow directors, Townsville Mayor Councillor Tony Mooney, Melissa Griffith and Councillor Ken McElligott who have been reappointed.
"The board also includes Directors John Pennisi and Debbie Guides, as well as deputy chair Professor Stephen Graw, whose terms did not expire this year.
"Altogether, Townsville has a board well qualified to take the port authority successfully into the years ahead and to cement Townsville-Thuringowa as an important freight gateway.
"The Port of Townsville is the state’s third largest and fastest growing industrial port, making it one of the major drivers in North Queensland's economy."
Mr Mickel said the Port of Townsville's total throughput had remained above 9.5 million tonnes since 2002-03, with nickel as the strongest import, and sugar and fertiliser the strongest exports.
"The Port of Townsville remains Australia's largest exporter of sugar and generates about $36 million of revenue annually," he said.
"A study has shown direct and flow-on effects of port activity account for almost 8000 full-time jobs – about 10% of total employment in North Queensland.
"This shows just how important the port is to the region."
Mr Mickel said Townsville fell within the area identified as a hub of industrial development and mineral processing over the next half century known as the Northern Economic Triangle, which also included Mt Isa and Bowen.
"The Queensland Government is committed to supporting the development of this area, and as part of the Northern Economic Triangle Infrastructure Plan 2007-2012, will maximise the opportunities arising from the current resources boom and help ensure the infrastructure is in place to support both economic and population growth," he said.
"In line with this strategy, Townsville Port Authority has already played an important role by completing the Port of Townsville master plan."
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
September 27, 2007
Transport Minister John Mickel announced today Mr Dunning would replace Ron Mclean who has retired.
He will be joined by another new director, Professor Sandra Harding, the vice chancellor and president of James Cook University.
"This is an exciting time of growth for Townsville, and a strong team will lead the Townsville Port Authority," Mr Mickel said.
"Mr Dunning will bring his considerable experience to the role of chair.
"I'm confident he'll lead the Townsville Port Authority with authority and enthusiasm, ensuring the port authority will meet the challenges ahead.
"He will be capably assisted by fellow directors, Townsville Mayor Councillor Tony Mooney, Melissa Griffith and Councillor Ken McElligott who have been reappointed.
"The board also includes Directors John Pennisi and Debbie Guides, as well as deputy chair Professor Stephen Graw, whose terms did not expire this year.
"Altogether, Townsville has a board well qualified to take the port authority successfully into the years ahead and to cement Townsville-Thuringowa as an important freight gateway.
"The Port of Townsville is the state’s third largest and fastest growing industrial port, making it one of the major drivers in North Queensland's economy."
Mr Mickel said the Port of Townsville's total throughput had remained above 9.5 million tonnes since 2002-03, with nickel as the strongest import, and sugar and fertiliser the strongest exports.
"The Port of Townsville remains Australia's largest exporter of sugar and generates about $36 million of revenue annually," he said.
"A study has shown direct and flow-on effects of port activity account for almost 8000 full-time jobs – about 10% of total employment in North Queensland.
"This shows just how important the port is to the region."
Mr Mickel said Townsville fell within the area identified as a hub of industrial development and mineral processing over the next half century known as the Northern Economic Triangle, which also included Mt Isa and Bowen.
"The Queensland Government is committed to supporting the development of this area, and as part of the Northern Economic Triangle Infrastructure Plan 2007-2012, will maximise the opportunities arising from the current resources boom and help ensure the infrastructure is in place to support both economic and population growth," he said.
"In line with this strategy, Townsville Port Authority has already played an important role by completing the Port of Townsville master plan."
Media contact: Chris Brown 3237 1944 or Elouise Campion 3237 1125.
September 27, 2007