More than 20 Townsville jobs will be supported by plans to build a 2.2km rock wall at the Port of Townsville.
The seawall will form a protective bund around a 62-hectare area at eastern end of the Port, allowing for the biggest expansion of the Port in its 156-year history.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the wall's construction was a major milestone in the jointly-funded $193.5 million Channel Upgrade Project.
"The construction of the wall, which is expected to start later this month, is the first step required ahead of widening of the shipping channel," Mr McCormack said.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer Jackie Trad said contracts worth more than $10 million had been awarded for the wall's construction and rock delivery.
"Queensland company Hall Contracting has been awarded the contract to build the wall, which will be completed ahead of dredging," Ms Trad said.
"A strong economy that creates jobs relies on strategic investment in infrastructure and that's exactly what the Channel Upgrade Project is.
"This project marks an exciting development that will underpin its importance as one of Queensland's key trading ports."
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said dredging in the channel was expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2023.
"Supporting this project has been one of my top priorities. Not only will it create jobs during construction in the short term, but the long-term economic benefits can't be overstated," Mr Thompson said.
"Getting bigger ships in and out of our city will open up trade and tourism opportunities we have never seen before."
State Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said Hall Contracting would recruit locally for the project.
"As well as supporting local jobs, Hall Contracting has committed to using Townsville businesses for a range of goods and services including fleet maintenance, fuel supplies and diving services," Mr Stewart said.
"More than 600,000 tonnes of rock will be needed to build the wall, and that rock will come from two local quarries.
"Holcim has put on more workers to meet the contract from its Roseneath quarry, while HY-TEC also has a contract to supply rock from its quarry at Calcium."
The $193.5 million Channel Upgrade Project is jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian governments ($75 million each) and the Port of Townsville Ltd ($43.5 million).
The Channel Upgrade forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016.
