Port Gears up
November 22, 2006
Section: News
By Jennette Lees
THE port of Port Kembla will be home to a new $30 million berth and $12.5 million super storage shed.
The latest developments come as the port gears up to become the States major car import centre by 2008, and will see 240,000 cars and 30,000 more containers brought to the Port each year.
NSW Premier Morris Iemma toured the area last week with Ports Minister Joe Tripodi, Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell, and Member for Wollongong Noreen Hay.
Port Kemblas $140 million expansion is already well underway, and today I am announcing the next major step in this massive upgrade, Mr Iemma said.
The new 200 metre berth will be similar in design and structure to the third berth currently under construction and will offer maximum flexibility for port operations.
He said the fourth berth would play an integral role in handling the expected increase in ship movements.
The construction of this berth shows were making real progress with our commitment to the relocation of the motor vehicle trade to Port Kembla.
Maritime demolition experts Australian Wharf and Bridge Contractors Pty Ltd have been chosen for the demolition of the 35 year old ANL roll-on, roll-off berth in the ports eastern.
Heavy lift barge-mounted cranes will be used in the demolition, which will comply with strict environmental management plans. The demolition is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2007.
Work has also started on a 15 000 square metre storage shed which will be bigger than two football fields once complete. Mr Tripodi said Australian Amalgamated Terminals (AAT) would invest $12.5 million for a new cargo shed and related facilities, another significant element in the expansion of the port.
He said the cargo shed will be built on the eastern side of the new berth and will be used to store cars as well as weather sensitive items such as timber, steel products and paper products.
Due to the sheer size of this facility, the cargo building will provide ample undercover storage for the general cargo on site. This stage of construction works also includes the development of stevedoring amenities and offices, new entrances and exits, closed circuit television security and boundary fences. Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said the investment in the port was about driving jobs, investment and prosperity for the region.
At the State Plan consultation, resident told me that employment for their children close to home was a key priority, Mr Campbell said.