Port planning for expansion - Port of Brisbane to receive $87.5 million - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Business Asia, July, 2001

PORT OF BRISBANE CEO Graham Mulligan says the State Government's decision to provide $3.39 billion towards transport and main road infrastructure and dedicating a record $242.3 million to ports capital spending is a good indication of its resolution to increase the State's exporting capacity.

"It is very encouraging to see," he said. "It (the funding) demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the State has the best chance of exporting its goods internationally."

As a whole, Mulligan expects the money allocated to the port industry will go primarily towards upgrading wharves and machinery, road and rail access into ports, and general infrastructure needs, such as communication tools and optical fibre cabling.

Mulligan says it is important that the Queensland Government continue to focus on improving its road and rail access throughout the State, as well as to the ports themselves. All too often, he commented, "city folk forget the fundamental drivers of Queensland's economy, such as exporting farming resources, produce and commodities".

"Because the bulk of what Queensland exports tends to be from mines or farms a long way from the port, infrastructure such as road and rail need to be kept open and upgraded when necessary," he said.

As part of the Budget, the Port of Brisbane will be issued $87.5 million towards upgrading its wharves and machinery, as well as its Fisherman Island and Hamilton sites. Mulligan says around $15 million will be used to further expand the port's Fisherman Island site, which will result in the port stretching 1.8km from where it is now situated, adding an extra 270 hectares. Property expansion in the Fisherman Island area will be progressive, taking at least 20 years to complete. Final approvals to extend the area are being finalised. Another $29 million from the Budget allocation has also been reserved for expansion of the facilities located at the site.

Mulligan says current initiatives at the. Port of Brisbane have also involved building new wharves at its Fisherman Island site. These, he says, are largely to account for the expected growth not only in exported goods, but also a rise in imported cars.

"The Port of Brisbane handles 24 per cent of Australia's new car imports, which go through our Hamilton Port site. Because there is no more land to develop at Hamilton, we are creating new facilities at Fisherman Island to accommodate the growth. We have also purpose built car terminals, which is a major development for us," Mulligan said.