Published Thursday, 29 November, 2007 at 10:50 AM
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Paul Lucas
PLANS ANCHOR TOWNSVILLE PORT
Plans for the $1 billion Townsville Ocean Terminal moved a step closer today with the release of the Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the EIS for the project had been signed off by the Coordinator-General.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Townsville and includes construction of a cruise terminal, and residential and marina precincts,” Mr Lucas said.
“City Pacific proposes developing approximately 80 hectares of land currently under shallow water on the seaward side of the Townsville Casino and entertainment area for its integrated development. The ambitious project features a major investment in international standard cruise-ship facilities, worth around $150 million in benefits over 20 years.”
The plan for the area also includes a residential canal development of around 700 dwellings, a marina for recreational vessels or super yachts and new foreshore park areas. It requires a new northern Strand Breakwater, an indentation of the existing Port Western Breakwater and extensive earthworks to create new land platforms.
Subject to approvals, construction could commence midway through 2008 and would create about 1900 construction jobs. The ocean terminal could be ready for use in 2010.
Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds said the development was a wonderful opportunity for tourism and the local economy.
“This development offers a wide range of potential benefits to Townsville,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I encourage locals to review the EIS and make sure they have their say.”
Mr Lucas said the proposed terminal would be able to dock both cruise ships and military ships up to 260m long, including Wasp-Class vessels such as the USS Boxer and Essex.
“The importance of the terminal to the economy was highlighted in studies undertaken by Townsville authorities which showed sailors from a US naval vessel spent more then $5.5 million in the area during five-days,” Mr Lucas said.
The EIS will be advertised from this Saturday. Public consultation will run from December 3, 2007, to February 1, 2008.
The Townsville Ocean Terminal terms of reference and environmental impact statement can be sourced online through:
http://www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au/major_projects/cruiseship_townsville.shtm
Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the EIS for the project had been signed off by the Coordinator-General.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Townsville and includes construction of a cruise terminal, and residential and marina precincts,” Mr Lucas said.
“City Pacific proposes developing approximately 80 hectares of land currently under shallow water on the seaward side of the Townsville Casino and entertainment area for its integrated development. The ambitious project features a major investment in international standard cruise-ship facilities, worth around $150 million in benefits over 20 years.”
The plan for the area also includes a residential canal development of around 700 dwellings, a marina for recreational vessels or super yachts and new foreshore park areas. It requires a new northern Strand Breakwater, an indentation of the existing Port Western Breakwater and extensive earthworks to create new land platforms.
Subject to approvals, construction could commence midway through 2008 and would create about 1900 construction jobs. The ocean terminal could be ready for use in 2010.
Member for Townsville Mike Reynolds said the development was a wonderful opportunity for tourism and the local economy.
“This development offers a wide range of potential benefits to Townsville,” Mr Reynolds said.
“I encourage locals to review the EIS and make sure they have their say.”
Mr Lucas said the proposed terminal would be able to dock both cruise ships and military ships up to 260m long, including Wasp-Class vessels such as the USS Boxer and Essex.
“The importance of the terminal to the economy was highlighted in studies undertaken by Townsville authorities which showed sailors from a US naval vessel spent more then $5.5 million in the area during five-days,” Mr Lucas said.
The EIS will be advertised from this Saturday. Public consultation will run from December 3, 2007, to February 1, 2008.
The Townsville Ocean Terminal terms of reference and environmental impact statement can be sourced online through:
http://www.infrastructure.qld.gov.au/major_projects/cruiseship_townsville.shtm
Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868