McGowan Government boosting trade and jobs with port projects

  • Additional $507.9 million committed to WA port projects in 2022-23 State Budget
  • New funding is in addition to $499 million already allocated towards transformational Westport project
  • Major economic infrastructure to drive trade, create jobs and boost economic growth across WA
  • The McGowan Labor Government is investing $507.9 million in the 2022-23 State Budget to upgrade port infrastructure across Western Australia to boost trade, create jobs and grow the economy.

    This new funding takes investment in WA port authority projects over the next four years to $1.7 billion.

    More than $332 million is being invested towards the Mid West Ports Authority’s Geraldton Port Maximisation Project over the next four years to increase capacity for Geraldton Port services.

    This includes infrastructure upgrades to increase trade capacity to maximise the existing port’s footprint, facilitate a range of new projects and deliver value for the Mid-West region.

    Westport enabling works are ongoing, with $400 million invested to support strategic land acquisition for future freight corridors and port functions, as well as environmental offset works, with a further $99 million committed to deliver the next stages of Westport, including the development of a strategic level business case.

    The 2022-23 State Budget is also funding a number of feasibility studies aligned to Westport to drive improved trade, economic and land-use development outcomes in the wider Kwinana and Fremantle areas.

    Another $78 million will progress development of Lumsden Point to grow the capacity at the Port of Port Hedland to diversify trade and support jobs in the region. Initial works are expected to start later this year.

    The State Budget will bring an additional $52 million investment for a dedicated Marine Services Hub in Broome that will see a gas supply base established to service Browse Basin gas production activities.

    This includes $7 million towards base infrastructure for a processing and storage facility, creating jobs and new targeted opportunities for the Kimberley region.

    To support an increase in trade within the Esperance and Bunbury ports, $10.7 million is being allocated towards important infrastructure and equipment projects for both ports.

    For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au

    As stated by Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:

    “Our ports play an important role in our economy, creating and supporting jobs, boosting trade and providing opportunities for investment and business across WA.

    “This commitment to invest a further $507.9 million at our ports will ensure that WA’s key export industries continue to be supported to deliver billions of dollars in benefits to our State.

    “Planning for the next century of trade growth and beyond must begin now to ensure we deliver a sustainable, efficient and resilient trade and supply chain system.

    “A new terminal and supply chain network must be planned well in advance to prevent trade bottlenecks. Westport is taking a system design approach that considers every aspect of the supply chain.

    “This means that the shipping channels to the terminal, along with road and rail networks, will all be planned together.

    “Westport is progressing land protection and other enabling works to ensure this State-shaping future development can be successfully delivered following the completion of the Westport business case in 2024.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.