Premier Anna Bligh today inspected work on the new Townsville Marine Precinct with major earthworks well underway on the $110 million project.

“This is a big job - workers will transport some 500,000 tonnes of fill to the site and will shift close to two million cubic metres of material as part of the development,” Ms Bligh said.

“That task is progressing well with 4000 tonnes of fill arriving every day and the precinct on track to be completed by late 2011.

“It’s an exciting project for Townsville which will see a purpose built marine precinct to take the city forward.

“At the same time it protects 500 jobs in existing marine industries in Townsville and will deliver up to 400 jobs during construction.

“Building a new marine precinct from scratch means it can be a best practice facility.

“An infrastructure project of this size is a big vote of confidence in Townsville and further cements the city’s reputation as Queensland’s second capital.”

Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace said another bonus was that marine industries would have room to grow in the future.

“The precinct will provide a safer and cleaner home for Townsville’s commercial fishing fleet, marine fabrication and repair industries, marine research facilities and other marine operators,” Mr Wallace said.

Member for Mundingburra Lindy Nelson-Carr said the project was being developed over an 18 hectare site.

“There is an outer armour rock wall enclosing an inner harbour with fishing trawler jetties and reclaimed land for the construction of buildings and lift out facilities for marine support industries.

“This is a huge project for the region with marine industries part of the lifeblood of our city.

Member for Townsville Mandy Johnstone said recreational boaties would be big winners in this project.

“Relocating current upstream marine businesses to the new precinct frees up some prime locations and allows for the creation of up to 12 new boat ramp lanes, two pontoons and more than 250 car trailer parks.

“That’s great news for Townsville’s 11,500 recreational boat users.”

So far on the project:

• Bunding of the Rosshaven Marine reclamation area has been completed
• Reclamation filling has commenced.
• Other earth and marine works are underway including sheet piling, mobilisation for dredging works, surcharging, drainage works for the access road and all preliminary works for site access.
• Dredging works on the inner harbour have commenced

The Townsville Marine Precinct is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and Port of Townsville Limited. It is being delivered at the mouth of Ross River under an alliance between the Port and construction company Laing O’Rourke.

During her visit, Premier Bligh also discussed with alliance partners the start of major dredging works this week.

Water quality monitoring stations are already in place in Cleveland Bay, in line with the project’s strict environmental guidelines.