North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation

North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation Limited (NQBP) is one of Australia's largest port authorities (when measured by tonnage throughput). NQBP is a Government Owned Corporation. It is governed by a Statement of Corporate Intent and a 5 year Corporate Plan. Their stated aim is to deliver "sustainable, commercial seaport services". NQBP became a port authority on 1st July 2009.

NQBP came about as a result of the Queensland Government Review of the Queensland Port Network Structure in 2008. Formerly the Ports Corporation of Queensland owned many ports in the region. After the review, the PCQ divested itself of some ports and then merged with Mackay to become NQBP.

The history of NQBP is linked to the history of it's constituent ports. NQBP is the Port Authority for four working ports:

•Weipa Port

•Abbot Point Port

•Mackay Port

•Hay Point Port

Mackay Port is a multi-cargo port located on the Eastern coast of Queensland. It has a port area of 800 hectares. The sugar industry in Mackay provides one of the cargoes that go through the port, along with grain and petroleum.

Mackay Port's history starts in 1863 when it was proclaimed a new Port at the Pioneer River. Mackay Port Authority was turned into a corporation on 1st July 1995. The corporation was then renamed Mackay Ports in March 2008, then became a company Government Owned Corporation called Mackay Ports Limited in July of the same year. Mackay Ports Limited then merged with Ports Corporation of Queensland to create a new company - North Queensland Bulk Corporation on 1st July 2009.

Weipa Port is on the North West coast of Cape York Peninsula. It was established in 1965 and has a current area of 9,573 hectares. The main product exported through Welpa is bauxite, which is mined from the Rio Tinto Alcan mines.

Abbot Point was established more recently in 1984. It is the most Northerly deep water coal port of Australia and is located 25 kilometres North of Bowen, conveniently for the Galilee and Bowen coal basins. It currently has a throughput of over 13 million tonnage. There are plans to expand with a second wharf and additional facilities including an additional two off shore berths. If these plans go ahead, Abbot Point could become the largest coal port in the world.

Hay Point port has two coal terminals and is one of the largest coal exporting ports in the world, with a throughput of over 32 million tonnes. It started operating in 1971 and has expanded ever since.

In addition, NQBP is responsible for Maryborough port. The Port of Maryborough has a rich history as the second major immigration port, after Sydney, in the latter half of the 1860s. It is now dormant and is an historic site popular with visitors.

In the future, NQBP hopes to continue to develop the four major Queensland sea ports and has drawn up and agreed Ten Year Master Plans for the four ports.