Port continues vigorous expansion

Issued by the Minister for Transport and Main Roads

5 October 2005

Strong economic conditions have generated a $54 million project to build a 10th berth at the Port of Brisbane's Fisherman Islands complex.

Transport Minister Paul Lucas said the Port of Brisbane Corporation would spend $54.6 million on the new berth that will extend the existing wharf line by a further 402 metres.

"Brisbane is one of the most dynamic ports in the nation," Mr Lucas said.

"This latest development project, to build a 10th berth at the port, shows just how robust Brisbane's current activity and projected trade growth are.

"Continued growth in container traffic, up by 13.5% from last year, and similar trends in general cargo and motor-vehicle trade are key drivers of the expansion.

"This additional berth is essential to ensure the Port of Brisbane remains highly efficient and continues to meet the growing needs of Queensland industry."

The length and container-carrying capacity of container ships is increasing worldwide with a growing number of vessels calling into Brisbane more than 270 metres long and carrying more than 4000 standard-sized containers.

Mr Lucas said Brisbane's latest expansion would enable the port's two stevedores to handle at least two of these larger ships simultaneously.

Port of Brisbane Corporation chair David Harrison said growth in container volumes through the port had increased at an average annual rate of 12.5% in the past five years.

"The board expects the port will maintain this intensity of growth for some time to come," he said.

"Continued growth in motor vehicle imports to Brisbane, with 2004-05 volumes up 13.2% on 2003-04 levels provide added support to the development of a tenth berth."

Construction of Wharf 10 is expected to begin before the end of the year and to be completed by early 2008, at an estimated cost of just under $45 million. Dredging of the berth is expected to cost a further $9.6 million.

The corporation is consolidating its port operations by progressively relocating motor-vehicle and general cargo operations from Hamilton to Fisherman Islands at the mouth of the Brisbane River.

So far this process has included construction of a ninth berth and related terminal areas, pavements and associated infrastructure.

Queensland Transport's latest five-year analysis of throughput at the state's 15 trading ports shows strong domestic retail demand and improved agricultural conditions helped Brisbane to retain its status as Australia's fastest-growing port.

During the past five-year period its throughput has grown by more than 13.2% to reach 26 million tonnes in 2004-05.

This year is the 12th consecutive year of record growth for Brisbane with total tonnes traded through the port, and the 21st consecutive year it recorded strong container trade growth, up 13.5% in the space of just one year.

"In the state budget for this financial year $162.4 million has already been directed to projects at the port," Mr Lucas said.

"These were associated mainly with the consolidation of port activities at the mouth of the Brisbane River, including $35.4 million for the continued development of port industrial estates at the port and at Lytton, and $32.5 million to upgrade existing wharves and terminals.

"In 2003-04, $140 million of the state government's total budget of $351 million for port network capital infrastructure was allocated to expanding facilities at the Port of Brisbane. This included $34 million towards the reclamation of an additional 230 hectares of land at the port which when fully developed is expected to generate an estimated 1860 jobs.

"It's all part of an efficient transport system that assists exporters to better operate in increasingly competitive markets."

In 2004-05, imports and exports through the Port of Brisbane grew by 3.8% and 3.7% respectively. It also handled about half of all Australia's cotton and beef exports.