No6 Jetty Work To Start Next Month
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday September 3, 2005
WORK on the expansion of Port Kembla's No6 Jetty will start next month and with State Government funding announced yesterday, should be complete by early next year.
The $9 million expansion of the cargo handling facility met with strong opposition during the planning stages from competitors in Newcastle and Melbourne.But Port Kembla Gateway general manager Doyle Cook said development consent came in July without significant alterations to the proposal."The value of the project has increased from $8 million to $9 million because the cost of steel has gone up so much in the last six months," Mr Cook said. "And with so many components made from steel - the gantries and conveyor belts - and a new shed made from Colorbond, the costs have blown out," he said.The expanded Port Kembla Gateway will be able to load a ship with dry bulk goods in one day compared to the present four- or five-day process.Announcing funding for the expansion yesterday, Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said it would create three new jobs and 20 indirect jobs when complete.The Government's contribution to the project was not released due to commercial confidentiality.
© 2005 Illawarra Mercury