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Port Tree Program takes seed in bid to plant One Million Trees
The Port of Townsville has launched a new Community Tree Planting Program which could see schools and not-for-profit organisations plant up to 10,000 trees in its first year. The Community Tree Planting Program seeks to accelerate the Port’s ambition of planting one million additional trees by 2050. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer, Ranee Crosby said she hoped to see schools and not-for-profit groups from across the Port’s supply chain make use of the Program. “To date, we have planted more than 5,500 trees, shrubs and grasses, and are aiming to reach 20,000 by mid 2023. The 10,000 trees on offer through the Community Tree Planting Program will put us well on track to reach this target,” said Ms Crosby. “We’re inviting applications from within communities in all Port catchment areas, extending as far north as Hinchinbrook and west to Mount Isa. “We hope people will embrace the Program as a wonderful opportunity to hold community plantings to improve biodiversity and habitat, beautify public spaces and support local stewardship activities.” The Program will provide funding for up to 1,000 stems – including trees, shrubs and grasses – per successful applicant. Applicants are required to demonstrate how they will care for the plants to see them well established and grown to maturity. Ms Crosby said everyone would benefit from creating greener communities. “Green spaces are a major contributor to a region’s liveability, the social connectedness of communities and the health and wellbeing of individuals,” Ms Crosby said. “The Port is very proud to offer a Program that can create partnerships with such wide-reaching impact, and we look forward to seeing applications come in.” The Community Tree Planting Program will complement the Port of Townsville’s existing tree planting activities on Port lands, which are being held in conjunction with Port tenants, users and community stakeholder groups. Click here for more information about the Port of Townsville's Community Tree Planting Program.
Port dishes up record year for food and grain
A record year for food and grain exports is among the trade highlights that contributed to a substantial profit increase at the Port of Townsville in the last financial year. In 2021-22, the Port of Townsville delivered an impressive operating result of $17.5 million, up 22.11 per cent on the previous year. While overall trade of 7.23 million tonnes remains lower than pre-pandemic levels, the Port’s diverse trade capabilities bolstered its resilience in the face of ongoing supply chain disruptions and commodity market changes. Port of Townsville Chief Executive Officer Ranee Crosby said trade dips in some of the Port’s major commodities were offset by new and emerging opportunities. “We are experiencing a diversification of agricultural products being exported from Townsville, as containerised exports pick up,” Ms Crosby said. “Overall, there was a 25 per cent increase in food and grain exported from Townsville, which included strong growth in mung beans (55%) and sorghum (32%) and the return of soybean exports after a few years’ hiatus. “Other big movers included general chemical products (62%), molasses (29%), general mining cargo (25%) and petroleum products (20.5%). “Additionally, we completed Townsville’s first transhipment of motor vehicles, connecting 521 new cars to southern ports.” The Port and its customers were challenged by the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the global geopolitical climate and changes in Australia’s mineral concentrates market. Seasonal factors reduced export figures for live cattle, sugar and fertiliser, while mining and minerals customers took advantage of domestic markets rather than exporting, creating a positive flow on effect for the region. The majority of the Port’s $40.39 million capital expenditure in 2021-22 was assigned to the ongoing Channel Upgrade project, which forms stage one of a 30-year, $1.6 billion Port Expansion Project. Ms Crosby said the necessity of the Port Expansion Project was underscored by several pipeline projects the Port is exploring with existing and potential customers. “We are collaborating with a number of stakeholders on potential new projects that will drive significant economic growth for our region,” Ms Crosby said. “These projects in rare earth and critical minerals, batteries, biomass, hydrogen and other renewable energy will contribute significantly to the world’s climate ambitions and transition to a clean energy future.” Throughout the year, the Port of Townsville also received its third Australian Port of the Year Award since 2015. Highlights from the Port of Townsville’s 2021-22 Annual Report The Port of Townsville delivered a strong operating result of $17.5 million in 2021-22, up 22.11 per cent from $14.3 million the previous year. Overall trade remained steady at 7.23 million tonnes in 2021/22, compared with 7.7 million tonnes the previous year. Some of the biggest year-to-year trade increases occurred in the following commodities: General chemical products (62%) Petroleum products (20.5%) Food and grain (25%) General mining cargo (25%) Molasses (29%) Petroleum-based products increases 14.5 per cent from the year prior. A major increase in jet fuel (47%) signified the return of air travel, Increased diesel imports (16%) were fed by demand from new mines in the Bowen Basin and North West Minerals Province. Significant year-on-year trade decreases occurred for livestock (-74%) and agricultural chemicals (-27%) Read the Port of Townsville's Annual Report 2021-22.