Cairns Shipping Development Project gets the environmental green light from the Qld Coordinator-General
Published: 28 February 2018
Ports North today welcomed the Queensland Coordinator-General’s announcement granting environmental approval for the Cairns Shipping Development Project.
Ports North Chairman, Russell Beer, said he was proud of Ports North’s achievement in delivering such a comprehensive EIS to make this opportunity now a reality and he thanked the community and stakeholder groups for their input and cooperation in shaping the revised Environmental Impact Statement.
“The Project builds upon the significant existing tourism infrastructure network in Cairns to facilitate increased tourism opportunities in the region and supports the overall growth of the cruise ship sector in Queensland”.
“This Project delivers an important opportunity to generate more than $850 million in benefits to the region boosting tourism and the economy while generating job growth”.
“The widening and deepening of the existing navigation channel to allow larger cruise ships to berth at the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal will also enable future expansion of the HMAS Cairns Navy base, improve access and efficiency for bulk cargo and larger visiting Navy vessels while providing increased resilience for the Port of Cairns against extreme weather events”, Mr Beer said.
While this was a significant milestone in the process, Mr Beer said there were further approvals still being progressed including Commonwealth Government environmental approval in accordance with the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act and completion of a detailed business case in accordance with the Building Queensland Framework. Ports North is continuing to work with the parties to finalise these approvals as soon as possible in order to move forward to the construction stage of the Project.
Ports North’s focus on growing cruise shipping in the region is also continuing with Ports North’s Manager Pilot Services currently in the USA attending Seatrade Cruise Global, the leading international conference serving the global cruise industry, to actively promote Cairns and the region’s cruise capabilities”.
Mr Beer said “this approach of engaging with cruise industry stakeholders has proved beneficial and provided benefits to the organisation by gaining greater knowledge of the industry, increasing industry contacts, and displaying Ports North’s commitment to develop cruise shipping in Cairns”.
“We now have some good news to share” he said.
Media Contact:
Kerry Egerton
kerry.egerton@portsnorth.com.au
Ph: 0410 308 360