Published Wednesday, 24 September, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Treasurer
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
New North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation to be based in Mackay: Fraser
A major overhaul of the State Government’s port authorities will see a new streamlined structure focussed on growth and the opportunity for enhancing exports.
Two new port corporations have been proposed – the Far North Ports Corporation based in Cairns and the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation which will be based in the Mackay region - in the wake of the restructure commenced earlier this year.
Townsville Ports Corporation will acquire responsibility for the Port of Lucinda.
“This is about strengthening the future of our northern ports sector and focussing on growth and exports,” said Mr Fraser.
“The ports of the cape from Mourilyan around to Karumba and including Thursday Island will be managed by a new Far North Ports Corp to be headquarted in Cairns.
“Currently the ports of the Cape are managed out of Brisbane and this will enhance the regional control of port operations in the far north.
“This provides a substantive role for a Cairns based port authority and will focus the management effort on seaport businesses, with the planned divestment of the Cairns Airport on track for completion in December.
In Townsville the port is already experiencing massive growth and has seen its future prospects enhanced with the pursuit of growth opportunities out of the North West Minerals Province.
With the 107 million investment announced in the Budget to enhance export efficiency and cut travel times by 2 hours on the Mt Isa to Townsville rail line we expect to see further growth at the Townsville Port.
“The Port of Lucinda is currently managed out of Brisbane and the review identified a better alignment with Townsville Ports Corporation as a regional port entity.
The biggest change proposed is the restructure of Ports Corporation of Queensland which currently manages most of the far northern ports as well as key growth port, Abbot Point Coal Terminal.
Recently expanded to 21 mtpa with a further extension to 25mtpa already underway, APCT is to double to 50mtpa under a planned $818m expansion that was announced in this year’s State Budget.
“This port is at the forefront of the boom out of the Bowen Basin and Abbot Point is a key growth port for the future.
“The new North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation will have a physical presence in Bowen which is currently managed offsite from Brisbane.
“The principal office for the new corporation will be located in Mackay within the next five years as the transition is made from the former Ports Corporation of Queensland structure.
“The Mackay Port Corporation will be part of the new Bulk Ports Corporation and the Chair of the Mackay Port Corporation will be a member of the NQ Bulk Ports Corporation board.
The new North Queensland Bulk Ports corporation, will also assume control for the state owned Hay Point Port (operated by BMA) and for the future possible development of Dudgeon Point.
As a port focussed on bulk exports, the Port of Weipa will also be managed by the new NQ entity, which will retain a Brisbane office given its extensive corporate customer base in Brisbane.
“Ports Corporation has been a stellar performer in the management of two very different tasks – the stewardship of many smaller ports across the state and the oversight of the massive expansion at Abbot Point.
Mr Fraser said PCQ had already commenced a major move internally to better focus its efforts on the task at Abbot Point.
“This restructure is a bold move aimed squarely at focussing on building export strength and providing regional capacity and leadership.
“It brings together the task of bulk exports into a major new NQ port entity and provides a platform for that growth task to be undertaken with on-the-ground management and strong board level leadership.
Appointments to the boards of the ports corporations will be determined once the final model is settled.
The government will conduct a further round of detailed consultations with all affected entities and stakeholders in the next few months to finalise arrangements.
This process is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Mr Fraser said existing employee protections which had been signed off as part of the sale of the Mackay and Cairns airports would continue in place. Any further employment issues would be resolved in close consultation with unions.
Media Contact: Renee Mickelburgh 0458 357 539
Two new port corporations have been proposed – the Far North Ports Corporation based in Cairns and the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation which will be based in the Mackay region - in the wake of the restructure commenced earlier this year.
Townsville Ports Corporation will acquire responsibility for the Port of Lucinda.
“This is about strengthening the future of our northern ports sector and focussing on growth and exports,” said Mr Fraser.
“The ports of the cape from Mourilyan around to Karumba and including Thursday Island will be managed by a new Far North Ports Corp to be headquarted in Cairns.
“Currently the ports of the Cape are managed out of Brisbane and this will enhance the regional control of port operations in the far north.
“This provides a substantive role for a Cairns based port authority and will focus the management effort on seaport businesses, with the planned divestment of the Cairns Airport on track for completion in December.
In Townsville the port is already experiencing massive growth and has seen its future prospects enhanced with the pursuit of growth opportunities out of the North West Minerals Province.
With the 107 million investment announced in the Budget to enhance export efficiency and cut travel times by 2 hours on the Mt Isa to Townsville rail line we expect to see further growth at the Townsville Port.
“The Port of Lucinda is currently managed out of Brisbane and the review identified a better alignment with Townsville Ports Corporation as a regional port entity.
The biggest change proposed is the restructure of Ports Corporation of Queensland which currently manages most of the far northern ports as well as key growth port, Abbot Point Coal Terminal.
Recently expanded to 21 mtpa with a further extension to 25mtpa already underway, APCT is to double to 50mtpa under a planned $818m expansion that was announced in this year’s State Budget.
“This port is at the forefront of the boom out of the Bowen Basin and Abbot Point is a key growth port for the future.
“The new North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation will have a physical presence in Bowen which is currently managed offsite from Brisbane.
“The principal office for the new corporation will be located in Mackay within the next five years as the transition is made from the former Ports Corporation of Queensland structure.
“The Mackay Port Corporation will be part of the new Bulk Ports Corporation and the Chair of the Mackay Port Corporation will be a member of the NQ Bulk Ports Corporation board.
The new North Queensland Bulk Ports corporation, will also assume control for the state owned Hay Point Port (operated by BMA) and for the future possible development of Dudgeon Point.
As a port focussed on bulk exports, the Port of Weipa will also be managed by the new NQ entity, which will retain a Brisbane office given its extensive corporate customer base in Brisbane.
“Ports Corporation has been a stellar performer in the management of two very different tasks – the stewardship of many smaller ports across the state and the oversight of the massive expansion at Abbot Point.
Mr Fraser said PCQ had already commenced a major move internally to better focus its efforts on the task at Abbot Point.
“This restructure is a bold move aimed squarely at focussing on building export strength and providing regional capacity and leadership.
“It brings together the task of bulk exports into a major new NQ port entity and provides a platform for that growth task to be undertaken with on-the-ground management and strong board level leadership.
Appointments to the boards of the ports corporations will be determined once the final model is settled.
The government will conduct a further round of detailed consultations with all affected entities and stakeholders in the next few months to finalise arrangements.
This process is expected to be finalised by the end of the year.
Mr Fraser said existing employee protections which had been signed off as part of the sale of the Mackay and Cairns airports would continue in place. Any further employment issues would be resolved in close consultation with unions.
Media Contact: Renee Mickelburgh 0458 357 539