Hall Contracting has won the largest contract in Port of Townsville’s $232 million Channel Upgrade Project. The works include capital dredging to widen 14.9 kilometers of sea channels over two years and reclamation of 62 hectares of land through beneficial reuse of dredged material.
Employing a local workforce of more than 70 full-time employees, the contract follows the extensive work over the past 18-months to build a 2.2 kilometer rock perimeter wall to receive the material. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer, Ranee Crosby , said that Queensland-based Hall Contracting has partnered with Townsville-based Pacific Marine Group to offer extensive experience in dredging and reclamation.
The pair has committed to almost 100% of this project being resourced from Queensland-based businesses.
“Hall Contracting has presented the best offer to complete the works,” Ms Crosby said.
“We regard this project as one of the most iconic dredging projects in Australia’s history and an important step in the development of both the Port of Townsville and the city itself. Our recently acquired backhoe dredge, Woomera, is the largest Australian-owned dredge of its kind and will arrive in Townsville to commence works next year,” said Hall Contracting CEO, Cameron Hall . Pacific Marine Group CEO, Kevin Chard , added that “We are a born and bred North Queensland company who have operated in Townsville for more than 25 years. PMG is committed to local employment and development of our youth through partnerships with locals such as NRL Cowboys House and Tec-NQ.’’ The Channel Upgrade project will widen the current shipping channel from 92-metres to 180-metres at the inshore (Port) end, tapering to 120-metres wide in the Sea Channel, increasing the size of cargo, cruise and defense vessels able to access the Port of Townsville.
Hall Contracting is expected to begin capital dredging in May 2021.