Woomera, the latest and largest dredging vessel in Australia has become a point of attraction for enthusiasts.
Expansion mode is on at the PORT of Townsville which is a step closer to welcoming trade, defence, and cruise opportunities and Townsville has erupted into festival mode with the arrival of Australia’s largest backhoe dredge, Woomera, which will be key to driving the port’s channel upgradation.
The $232 million channel upgradation project is the largest infrastructure project in the port’s 158-year history, enabling ships of up to 300 metres long to access the port. The project will double the width of the shipping channel at the inshore end, tapering to 120 metres at the seaward end.
Queensland-based Hall Contracting, the Australian dredging major is at the helm of events. All material removed during capital dredging will be brought on land for beneficial reuse in a reclamation area bounded by a rock wall. The reclamation area will enable the port to expand in the future with room for up to six new berths, with trade volumes expected to triple over the next 30 years.
Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby shared their views about the project. Woomera’s arrival have send everyone on cheerful mood. “The Port of Townsville is northern Australia’s largest general cargo port and services the region’s agriculture, mining, defence, construction, retail, vehicle and tourism industries,” she said. “Despite our port’s size, diversity and significance to north Australia’s industries, our shipping channel is one of the narrowest in Australia, measuring just 92 metres across.
“As ships are getting larger it is critical the channel is widened to ensure we can continue to service North Queensland, support the region’s economy, and prepare for future growth for emerging industries including the export of green hydrogen.”
Mark Bailey, Queensland minister for transport and main roads, said Port of Townsville was backed by the Labor government’s $105 million investment toward the upgrade. He said that he was pleased to see Woomera arrive at the port to begin the dredging required to set the Port of Townsville up for a booming future. He added that with the widening of the channel comes more opportunities for the port, for Townsville and for Queensland, creating jobs and boosting the economy at a time when it’s needed most.
Federal member for Herbert Phil Thompson said the facilitation of larger ships would be vital to the region’s economy. He said that the channel upgrade will create jobs and drive the economy not just in the short term, but for decades to come as it enable larger ships up to 26% longer than can current arrivals be accommodated.
The Woomera is a mechanical dredge that uses an excavator to dig compact material from the seabed. It will begin dredging a small area to provide access to the reclaim area during daylight hours from next week, before moving to the shipping channel. Channel widening is expected to take two years.
The Townsville Port Channel Upgrade is a $232 million joint project of the Australian and Queensland Governments, and the Port of Townsville Limited, and forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016. Under the City Deal, the Australian Government is contributing $75 million, the Queensland Government is contributing $105 million, and the Port of Townsville Limited is contributing the remaining $52 million.
Fast facts:
- The shipping channel will be widened from 92 metres to 180 metres at the Port end, tapering to 120 metres at the seaward end
- The wider shipping channel will allow vessels up to 300 metres long to safely access the Port
- Scientific experts have endorsed the dredge method as providing a better solution for the environment
- All capital dredge material will be transported back to land for use in a 62-hectare reclamation area bounded by the new rock wall – none will be deposited at sea
- The reclamation area will allow the Port to expand in the future with room for up to six new berths
- Trade volumes through the Port of Townsville are expected to triple over the next 30 years.
- The Port has committed $17 million for environmental monitoring and management programs as part of the Channel Upgrade project, including those covering dolphins, turtles, seagrass, corals and shorebirds.
- An Independent Technical Advisory Committee has set thresholds to protect the marine environment during capital dredging works.
Woomera’s arrival heralds start of channel widening | Ministers for the Department of Infrastructure
