Thevenard Masterplan

26 | Thevenard Masterplan

Thevenard is restricted by water depth and limited ship loader capacity. Thevenard tenants have proposed a required daily draft of 11.3m to facilitate increased parcel size and competitiveness. This would require dredging by 1.7m.

Trade for Thevenard is forecast from a total of 2.8 million tonnes per annum to 3.2 million tonnes per annum in 2070, where the loader allows this. A review of the current loader (owned by Viterra) suggested that it would likely require replacement or significant rehabilitation in order to consistently meet these throughput levels.

Geographically, Thevenard is isolated from other ports and adjacent to Gypsum, Salt and Mineral Sands operations. Given its geographic isolation, it would be challenging to relocate low cost commodities there without losing trade. Conversely, there is unlikely to be ability or logic to consolidate other trades at Thevenard given its location. Options identified for Thevenard were to continue operations without improving accessibility, or improve accessibility through capital dredging works.

It was identified that where improved accessibility occurred, this provided potential for a trade upside, particularly in relation to Gypsum volumes and potential kaolin trade. However, any increase to trade would also need to be accompanied with upgrades to the loader (or replacement) as mentioned. The preferred option for Thevenard was to provide improved accessibility through capital dredging works of both channel and berth pocket. It was expected that this would be subject to a Business Case and potentially be co-funded by port user(s).

Figure 26 Thevenard Masterplan

Increased accessibility to be facilitated through dredging campaign for berths and approach channel in conjunction with upgrades to or replacement of shiploader and conveyor (by others).

Restricted recreational access across structure to be maintained in accordance with Recreational Access Agreement