Vehicle Processing Precinct set to drive QLD’s car trade

29 May 2006

A new state-of-the-art vehicle processing facility is set to drive Queensland trade further.  

Inspecting the precinct at the Port of Brisbane with Premier Peter Beattie today, Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Trade and Innovation Anna Bligh said more than 180,000 vehicles passed through the port in 2004/05, a record figure.  

“Since the last car carrier weighed anchor at Hamilton a week ago today, all vessels have been unloading their vehicles at the Port of Brisbane’s new $17 million facility,” Mr Beattie said.  

“That has now freed up valuable land for the State Government’s urban renewal initiative, which will give all Queenslanders better access to our beautiful Brisbane River.”  

The vehicle processing precinct provides storage and pre-delivery inspection facilities prior to their distribution to dealerships. Covering 28 hectares, it can hold up to 18,000 cars at a time.  

Ms Bligh said the Port of Brisbane Corporation is currently building two additional overflow storage areas, together worth $12.5 million, which combined will hold a further 5,200 vehicles.  

It is also extending the port’s grain berth to accommodate more car carrying vessels, at a cost of $5.5 million.

“Brisbane needs a vehicle processing facility of that size to cope with demand,” Ms Bligh said.  

“Vehicle imports are outstanding, increasing by 13.2% in 2004/05.

“In fact, total trade through the Port of Brisbane also smashed records, with the equivalent of 726,145 20-foot containers passing through last financial year. That’s a 13.5% jump.  

“Our meat exports also had a record year, up 14% to 681,285 tonnes.”  

A record total of 26 million tonnes of goods were traded through the Port of Brisbane last financial year. Trade in 2005/06 stands at 21.9 million tonnes to date, 2.4% more than for the same period the previous year.

For more information, please contact Daryl Wood.