Hay Point No. 2 Coal Loader
In the early 1960s, the Utah Development Company selected Hay Point, about 25 sea-miles south of Mackay, as the site to construct an open sea berth with trestle access to export coal from its mines in the Upper Bowen Basin of Queensland (QLD).
Constructed to export coal from Central Queensland, comprises three large prestressed concrete caissons with four reinforced concrete towers on the corner of each caisson to support the steel superstructure. The caissons, towers and superstructure were constructed in the protected waters of Mackay Harbour in a purpose-built dry dock and fitting out berth. The coal loader was also erected on one of the caissons in Mackay Harbour. The caisson with the coal loader weighed 30,000 tons. The caissons were floated, towed 25 sea miles to Hay Point, and sunk in position to form the jetty, thus minimising construction time in the open sea. The access roadway, coal loading conveyor, and mooring dolphins, were similarly constructed with nine smaller concrete caissons.
The jetty, completed in 1975, was originally built for 100,000 DWT ships and was upgraded to 250,000 DWT ships in 1995.
The jetty, a world first for this method of construction, was designed by Rendel & Partners (principal engineers Alistair Eddie and Alex McKnight) in conjunction with Professor Ben Gerwick of USA. The contractor for construction was an alliance of Christiani-Nielson and John Holland.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | Engineering Heritage National Marker (EHNM) |
| Award Date | 14 June 2013 |
| Heritage Significance | |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Available here. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel Image | Available here. |
References:
Hay Point Coal Loader Technical Paper.
