ChannelC upgrade hits big milestone

PROMISING to supersize the ships serving the Port of Townsville, the $232m Channel Upgrade project has dug its way through an important milestone.

Almost a third complete, the project celebrated the removal of one million cubic metres of dredge material from Townsville’s Platypus Channel. It is being widened from 92 metres to 180 metres at the inshore end, tapering to 120 metres at the seaward end.

Port of Townsville CEO Ranee Crosby congratulated Hall Contracting on reaching this milestone, with channel widening works on track for completion in early 2024.

“This is a significant achievement for our contractors who have been working 24/7 to widen our 14.9-kilometre shipping channel,” Ms Ranee said.

“The Channel Upgrade project is the largest infrastructure project in the Townsville Port’s history and the first stage of the 30-year Port Expansion Project.

“All capital dredge material is being brought back to land for beneficial reuse in our 62hectare reclamation area, which will pave the way for new berths to facilitate future growth in existing and emerging industries.”

Prior to the largest Australian-owned backhoe dredge, Woomera, starting dredging in the Platypus Channel in midMarch, the channel was one of the narrowest in the country – only able to accommodate ships up to 238m in length.

Once complete in 2023, the channel upgrade will allow vessels up to 300 metres in length safe passage to the port.

The reclamation area will allow the Port of Townsville to expand in the future, with room for up to six new berths.

About $17 million has been committed for environmental monitoring and management programs, focused on supporting dolphins, turtles, seagrass, corals and shorebirds.