Funding for Port Channel Widening Project
Port of Townsville Limited has welcomed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement that the Government’s State Budget will allocate up to $75 million in funding for the Townsville Channel Capacity Upgrade Project. The $193 million Channel Capacity Upgrade, which is Stage 1 of the $1.64 billion Townsville Port Expansion Project, will widen the shipping channels to accommodate larger ships.
The project is expected to future-proof the port by ensuring it remains competitive and viable for major shipping lines, as well as providing certainty for industry investment into the region.
Concept Plans for CBD Bus Hub
Conceptual designs for the CBD Bus Hub are now online to provide the community with a snapshot of what the new facility will look like. The release coincided with the call for tenders for the detailed design of the project and follows initial consultation with local businesses and residents in areas adjoining the proposed facility in Ogden and Hanran Streets. Work is expected to start this month.
“This facility has been a long time coming and will provide major activation of Ogden Street and the adjoining area,” says Planning Committee chairman and Deputy Mayor Cr Les Walker.
“We have taken on board feedback from consultation with local stakeholders and a number of issues and ideas including noise, traffic flows, streetscaping, lighting, security and potential impacts on amenity.”
Mining Forum Welcomes Adani Announcement
Business operators and community leaders at the North Queensland Mining and Resources Industry Forum held in Townsville recently welcomed the move by Adani to proceed with its Carmichael coal project. It’s hoped the coal and rail project will encourage work to flow to smaller companies. The Native Title Bill also passed through the Senate last month, clearing up legal uncertainties.
Treasurer Visits North to Discuss Budget Benefits
Treasurer Curtis Pitt recently broke down the State Budget at a special forum held by Townsville Enterprise at the RSL. He outlined all the economy stimulating works the Palaszczuk Government has committed to the region and spoke about the determination to deliver a water security solution with $225 million set aside to act on the findings of the intergovernmental Water Taskforce.
“We’re directly supporting around 3300 jobs in the Townsville region through a $689.2 million local infrastructure spend, $935.9 million health budget and $43.9 million dedicated to upgrading schools in this region,” Mr Curtis says.
“Our Powering North Queensland Plan will see $386 million spent kick-starting strategic transmission infrastructure, a hydroelectric power station and improvement works at Burdekin Falls Dam.”
Works for Queensland Delivering Local Results
Two of the 51 projects funded under the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program have already been completed ahead of the November 30 deadline.
Mysterton and Hyde Park residents are already making use of a new dog off-leash area to safely exercise their animals adjacent to Mindham Park with the $18,000 work package to install signage, bollards for delineation, dog drinking bowl and bag dispenser wrapping up. In a separate project, three new refuse bins have also been installed at The Lakes in Currajong.
