Call out for big port job
THE search is on for a project manager to spearhead port development around Townsville’s waterfront Priority Development Area.
The Port of Townsville has started the recruiting process for someone to manage what has been dubbed the HarbourCity project.
The person appointed to the high- profile role will oversee the development of several projects in the waterfront Priority Development Area over 10ha of port land alongside Ross Creek.
The project will include waterfront walkways and public areas used to link the Quayside Terminal to Palmer St, key tourism precincts such as ReefHQ and Sealink’s proposal for a $ 56 million ferry terminal redevelopment.
Port of Townsville general manager business development and soon- to- be acting CEO Claudia Brumme- Smith said the project manager would head the planning pro- cess for the next 20 years of port development within the waterfront PDA.
“It’s an exciting time to get a dedicated role to drive this forward,” she said.
“We want to masterplan so it all connects nicely with the vision for the city.
“We’ve got ideas about public artworks and telling the stories of the development of the port in that space.”
Ms Brumme-Smith said the project manager’s key focus would be developing a design masterplan for the port’s land, which make up precincts six and seven of the PDA.
“I think we would probably see someone in the role by the end of the year,” she said.
“We’re certainly looking for someone with experience in the property sector but also with experience in government discussions.”
Ms Brumme- Smith said the project manager would work closely with Townsville City Council and government stakeholders.
The recruiting process comes after the Pure Projects masterplan released in June highlighted how port land could be developed to rejuvenate the CBD.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said the recruitment of someone to handle the Port’s waterfront PDA projects was a great sign for the CBD’s revitalisation.
“I think what this signals now is a real proactive approach about activating the PDA,” he said.
“I think this is a really good green light to get going on this development as the capital of Northern Australia.”