Latest Mackay Seaport News

Pier demolition project draws to a close

The Mackay Port Authority this morning lifted the final pile from the seabed to pave the way for the completion of the demolition of the old sugar wharf at Mackay Harbour.

The $2.5 million demolition project started in September 2004.
The final pile is lifted by a crane from Mackay Harbour today.

The project has been a recycler's dream with quality rainforest timbers now breathing new life into a variety of new projects including the restoration of Old Parliament House in Canberra

Seaport general manager Scott Keane said recycling had been a key component of the 250 metre wharf demolition project.

It involved the removal of 50 kilometres of decking; 20 km of timber girders, 2812 in total and 3.8 km of timber head stock. More than a thousand tonne of timber has been sent for recycling.

A total of 923 concrete piles were also extracted - weighing 14 800 tonne. The piles will be crushed and used in other projects. Another 78 have been cut off and will aid in the stability of the bank.

"It has been a project that's offered a number of challenges and it's a credit to our workforce that it's come in within budget; on time and without any lost time injuries," he said.

The old sugar wharf was officially opened by former Queensland Premier William Forgan Smith on August 26, 1939. It was decommissioned after the construction of a new purpose-built sugar loading wharf in1999.