Study to explore potential of Port of Bundaberg

A pre-feasibility study to assess the viability of an outer harbour at the Port of Bundaberg as a potential site to load larger cargo vessels has been funded under the Hinkler Regional Deal.

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack today announced at Burnett Heads $750,000 would be provided for the study.

“This pre-feasibility study will look at oceanography, tides, prevailing winds as well as infrastructure costs, any dredging requirements and design feasibility for an outer harbour facility to load larger vessels,” Mr Pitt said.

“Once again, our local port potential has been talked about for decades but no-one has taken the necessary action to determine the feasibility and cost benefit of any proposal to expand the Port of Bundaberg’s operations.

“The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment will establish the likely economic benefits, technical feasibility, environmental impacts and establish a more accurate picture of the true costs and benefits of a large expansion of the Port of Bundaberg.”

The Queensland State Government declared the Bundaberg State Development Area – which takes in the Port of Bundaberg – in 2017.

“The Coalition Government has committed $10 million from the Hinkler Regional Deal to build a multi-purpose conveyor at the Port of Bundaberg.

“Already we are seeing positive results with an ASX announcement from Australian Bauxite Limited about its Memorandum of Understanding Agreement with the Port of Bundaberg, and plans to ship bauxite from the Binjour Project in the North Burnett from the port.

“We are aware of other potential projects for expansion, but need engineering expertise and a detailed assessment to establish whether a project of this size would be successful,” Mr Pitt said.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said an outer harbour is expected to cost in excess of $3 billion, a pre-feasibility report funded the commitment by the Liberal and Nationals Government will provide certainty for potential investors in any port expansion.

“I know how hard Keith Pitt has worked for this regional investment. He knows that job creation is critically important for the Hinkler region and the rest of Queensland and that’s exactly what this initiative will deliver,” Mr McCormack said.

“The Hinkler Regional deal will provide real hope and confidence for the people that live and work in Hinkler and beyond, in particular young people. It means they will have a job for today, a job for tomorrow and for many years to come,” Mr McCormack said.

The $172.9 million Hinkler Regional Deal will support a number of important infrastructure and transport projects, including $40 million for the redevelopment of the Hervey Bay CBD, $32 million for the Quay Street bypass in Bundaberg and $15 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Aeromedical Training Centre.

Hinkler Regional Deal projects funded by the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government:

• $40 million for the redevelopment of the Hervey Bay CBD

• $32 million Quay Street bypass to remove heavy vehicles and commuter traffic from this area

• $24 million to flood-proof Torbanlea Pialba Road

• $15 million for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Aeromedical Training Centre

• $10 million for a multi-use conveyer at the Port of Bundaberg

• $10 million safety upgrade for the Buxton Road intersection on the Bruce Highway

• $9.2 million redevelopment of Hervey Bay Airport

• $8 million for an upgrade of Bargara Road/Princess Street

• $7.7 million to extend Urraween Road through to Boundary Road in Hervey Bay

• $7 million for a palliative care facility at Hervey Bay

• $4 million for overtaking lanes on the Isis Highway between Bundaberg and Childers.