Mackay Port Authority New security cordon for port Article first published on Tuesday, 23 March 2004 @ 2:53:21 PM

Anti-terrorism laws are forcing the Mackay Port Authority to proceed with plans to undertake a million dollar security upgrade at Mackay Harbour.

The main breast wharf will soon be off limits to the community.

A security cordon will restrict public access to the port’s operational areas, including storage, loading and industrial facilities. Automated boom gates will be erected on Harbour Road and Edmund Casey Drive.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Greg Mann said the MPA’s Security and Risk Assessment plans were currently being assessed by the Federal Government.

“It’s taken us almost 18 months to develop these plans but we have always been on the front foot and we have been leading as a port in the development of the risk assessment and the security plans,” he said.

“The whole thrust of this is to make sure we meet all the compliance requirements and we protect our continued trade corridors.”

Mr Mann was confident the MPA would have the new security cordon in place by late May – well in advance of the Federal Government’s July 1 deadline under the new Marine Security Act.

“Basically, the operational areas of the port will be off limits to the public. A security fence will prevent access and electronic surveillance systems will be upgraded to monitor the port precinct,” he said.

“The public will retain access to the extended southern breakwall and at this stage surfers will still be able to catch a wave at the north wall.”

Security infrastructure costs were expected to top a million dollars and would be recovered through additional charges on port users.

Mr Mann said Mackay was a bulk shipping port and would be classified as a relatively “low risk” port to terrorist attack, when compared with larger city ports that handled large quantities of containerized cargo.

click here to download a map of the new restricted areas.