Queensland's Mackay Port set to receive $17M for infrastructure upgrades

Mark Bailey and Julieanne Gilbert at the Mackay Port courtesy of the Queensland Government.

The Queensland Government has released plans to invest $17 million into a capital program for the Mackay Port.

Funding follows the recent opening of the $497 million Mackay Ring Road. New infrastructure projects at the port will include construction of a new tug berth facility, upgrades to wharves one and four, seawall repairs and essential maintenance dredging.

Tenders for these projects will be advertised on Q-Tenders and the port will be looking to use local contractors and suppliers in the Mackay region.

Transport and Main Roads Minister, Mark Bailey joined Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert at the port to announce the projects.

“We’re all aboard when it comes to jobs and making sure our world-class exports can get from Mackay to the world,” Bailey said.

“Over the past two years, we’ve upgraded the Vines Creek bridges to improve access to Mackay’s port, we opened the Mackay Ring Road this weekend and now we’re turning our attention to building the Walkerston Bypass and, after that, the Mackay Port Access road.”

He said all of these projects are connected to ensure Queensland’s primary industries are supported with a road network to help their product get from the paddock and pit to the port.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the projects will strengthen Mackay port’s capabilities to handle diversified trade.

“The Port of Mackay is a place of work for about 360 people each day and is also critical to around 1,800 Queensland jobs in mining, agriculture and logistics and facilitates $1.6B of trade worldwide,” Gilbert said.

“A tug berth facility inside the port and the wharf works will drive efficiency for trade and position the port to continue to grow – whether for new, breakbulk trade or existing commodities such as fuel, sugar and grain.”

Gilbert said these planned works come after a range of recent improvements including the construction of laydown areas, installation of accredited quarantine facilities, construction of a new access road and the creation of dedicated RoRo facilities.

“Our ports, like the whole region, have been working hard to deal with the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, and we will continue to progress trade opportunities for regional growth,” she said.

NQBP Chief Executive Officer Nicolas Fertin said Mackay’s multi-commodity port continues to build momentum in growing and diversifying its trade, with the volumes in the past financial year the second-best on record.

“These works will further strengthen the Port’s role as a key part of the Mackay economy and as a gateway to the central Queensland region,” Fertin said.

“The publicly owned multi-cargo import and export Port of Mackay is firmly established as a central hub for the movement of diverse cargo essential for central Queensland agricultural and mining industries.”

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