30 March 2011
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has confirmed the upgrade of Stage 1 and 2 of the Port of Brisbane Motorway. The $385 million contract will deliver a dual carriageway from the existing Gateway Motorway to the start of Port Drive, ensuring the port has reliable road access – click here to refer to the official drawing of the scope of works to be undertaken.
As part of the privatisation of the port, the State Government transferred responsibility for Stage 3 of the motorway, to the Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd. As at 1 December 2010, the port was made responsible for the maintenance and future upgrade of this 3.2 kilometre public road. The cost estimates for the future capacity upgrades of the motorway are in the range of $200 million over the next 10 years.
The port is not in a position to absorb the related maintenance and capital costs. Accordingly, as of 1 July 2011, we will introduce a Port Access Charge (PAC). The PAC is a commodity based charge that will be levied per unit of cargo and invoiced to our shipping line customers for cargoes that are imported or exported over Fisherman Island wharves. It will be similar in design and process to the cargo based harbour dues and wharfage fees. It is important to note that transhipment, empty containers and commodities that use both Fisherman Islands and other port wharves will not be charged the PAC.
The port has sought to minimise the cost recovery charge by introducing the PAC now and spreading it over a forecasted 30 year period.
For further information, click here to see the Schedule of Port Charges.