Latest Mackay Seaport News

Hi Fert to establish new storage facilities

The Mackay Port Authority and one of the nation's largest fertiliser companies, Hi Fert, have joined forces to develop a state-of-the-art fertiliser storage and blending facility at Mackay Harbour.

The 4440 square metre fully enclosed building will be constructed on strategic port land in Spiller Avenue.

It was all hands on deck to announce plans by Hi Fert to set up new storage and blending facilities in Mackay. Offering a helping hand to get work underway are (from left) Woollam Constructions director Craig Percival, MPA CEO Jeff Stewart-Harris, Hi Fert CEONeil Taylor and Hi Fert northern regional manager Geoff Pelizzo.

Work on the multi-million dollar purpose-built facility is expected to start next month and will be completed early next year.

Mackay Port Authority chief executive officer Jeff Stewart-Harris and Hi Fert chief executive Neil Taylor announced the project at a special "sod turning" ceremony today.

Mr Stewart-Harris said the new venture would result in significantly more raw materials being shipped through the Port of Mackay each year.

This project is in keeping with our strategy of encouraging and developing sustainable infrastructure that will create employment and offer industry better opportunities to expand and meet the needs of their customers, he said.

In this case, the facility will be capable of dispatching 200 tonnes of blended fertiliser and 300 tonnes of straight fertiliser an hour. Most of the fertiliser will be consumed by the sugar industry.

Mr Stewart-Harris said the new eco-friendly storage and blending facility would utilise energy efficiency and water recycling initiatives.