Ports taking priority

Burnie, Hobart added to list

TWO Tasmanian port upgrade proposals to help the state meet its export, tourism and Antarctic research potential have been added to Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 Priority List.

The port initiatives — upgrading the Port of Burnie so it can take bigger ships and replacing the Port of Hobart’s ageing wharf infrastructure and perhaps building a new tourist arrival terminal — are the only new Tasmanian projects to make it onto this year’s list.

The Infrastructure Australia report said the current condition of Macquarie Wharfs 4, 5 and 6 was limiting tourism growth, trade and the Antarctic exploration sector.

“The wharf assets are approaching end of life and require significant maintenance each year to sustain a minimal service level,” the report said.

“In its existing condition, the port cannot accommodate the Australian Antarctic Division’s new purpose-built icebreaker RSV Nuyina. It also cannot accommodate the Oasis passenger cruise vessels.”

TasPorts will now look at options to address wharf improvements, supporting infrastructure to increase exports and a potential terminal and other visitor facilities for tourists. Infrastructure Australia said Burnie needed to accommodate bigger ships to reach its export potential. The port cannot accommodate vessels larger than Handymax size, which carry less than 60,000 tonnes.

“These vessels are too small to service the supply chain,” the report said. “Port of Burnie is Tasmania’s only multi-use seaport capable of expanding to be the state’s largest export gateway for bulk and containerised shipping.”

The state government estimates mining and minerals exports could grow from 0.5 million tonnes per annum in 2019 to 6 million by 2029.

“However, the current port capacity will limit this growth and increase supply chain costs for bulk exporters,” the report said.

Potential options include channel works to accommodate Panamax vessels and upgrading ship-loading infrastructure and transport access to service higher volumes of freight.

A handful of other proposals remain on the list years on from being listed as priority initiatives, including replacement of the Bridgewater Bridge and the University of Tasmania’s STEM project in Hobart.