View this email online. Port News February  CEO's message  Welcome to this month's edition of Port of Brisbane News. The new year has begun as the previous ended – with plenty of activity across the port. On the trade front, the lead-up to Christmas supported an increase in import container volumes while our property team continued to deliver a number of developments for new and existing customers. We continue to be proud of the environmental initiatives that we're delivering with government and community partners. We are committed to being a leader in this space and always welcome the opportunity to explore initiatives with our customers and stakeholders. If you would like more information about anything in this edition of Port of Brisbane News, please contact us. Neil Stephens CEO (Interim) Chief Financial Officer Trade update The annual Christmas surge supported strong container volumes through the Port during the fourth quarter of 2021. Import container throughput increased significantly with household items, electrical goods and retail goods driving the growth. Import volumes reached 176,482 TEU, representing an increase of 6.1% on third quarter volume of 166,290 TEU.   Compared to the same period in previous years, 2021 throughput was 3.6% down on 2020 volumes but substantially up against 2019 and 2018. Despite some temporary COVID-induced supply chain pressures, the pandemic has underpinned an increase in imported goods over the last two years with consumers given limited opportunity to spend money on travel and services. Property development update Within our Port West Industrial Estate at Lytton, the 8,982 sqm warehouse development for Wallace International is fast-approaching completion, with PBPL expecting to hand the new facility over to our new customer in February.  And, right around the corner, construction has also commenced on the expansion to Autocare's facilities on Radar Street, with the project on track for a late-April completion.  At Port Gate, we're delivering a bespoke warehouse development for TNS Logistics, with construction of the warehouse and office space both well advanced and the slab for the 7,617 sqm container-rated hardstand area currently being placed.  The project, being delivered by McNab, is tracking well to reach completion during March. Laidley Creek rehabilitation project update In 2016, we commenced a work with Mulgowie Farming Company, Healthy Land and Water and other partners to rehabilitate a section of Laidley Creek in the Lockyer Valley as part of our Offsite Stormwater Treatment Program. The program involves the investment of stormwater treatment funding to rehabilitate degraded creek and riverbanks ­- reducing sediment run-off and erosion, preventing it from running off into the catchment and ultimately depositing in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.   Stage 3 commenced last year, and our Environment team headed to site in December to see how it was progressing and to check on earlier stages of the works.  We're pleased to share that Stages 1 and 2 continue to perform very well and the earthworks for Stage 3 are also on track. Once the earthworks are completed, the banks will be planted out with native plants which will prevent sediment run-off and improve land security for Mulgowie. Over time, the environmental and water quality benefits will be realised in the local area and throughout the catchment. Stage 3 project stats: 650 metres to be rehabilitated 1400 native plants to be planted 3,315 tonnes of sediment to be prevented from entering the catchment  Find out more about our approach to Offsite Stormwater Treatment on our website. Automated River Cleaner a finalist in global sustainability awards The Solar Powered Automatic River Cleaner (SPARC) trial – a project led by our partner Ocean Crusaders together with PBPL, IFM Investors, RDT Engineers and many more – has been accepted into the IAPH World Ports Sustainability Program's Sustainability Awards under the 'Environmental Care' category.  The trial project sought to develop a safer and more sustainable way to collect rubbish from the Brisbane River and prevent it from travelling into Moreton Bay – an area of high ecological significance.  Designed, developed and trialled here in Brisbane, the SPARC unit collects rubbish 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is performing well at its new home near the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.  Watch a short video to find out how it works. A look inside the nest boxes on Pritchard Street  We conduct 20 environmental monitoring programs annually to protect and enhance the biodiversity and natural habitat of the Port – 15 of these programs are voluntary. For over 13 years and with our partners Hollow Log Homes, we've installed and monitored nest boxes around the Port, which provide safe habitat for native animal species. Currently, 52 nest boxes are installed across three locations, including along Pritchard Street, Wynnum North Road and Lucinda Drive. Our most recent monitoring event in November reported a 'medium' level of nest box usage overall, consistent with previous monitoring, with the nest boxes being used by Brushtail possums, Sugar gliders, Squirrel gliders, micro bats, rosellas and a Carpet python. This demonstrates that there is a diverse range of species in the area and helps inform future habitat conservation initiatives. You can read the monitoring report on our website and watch a short video about how we conduct nest box monitoring.