Western Australia invests in port upgrades

The additional funding will be used in a range of significant projects to help increase capacity at the region’s ports, all of which are fully state-owned.

“As a geographically isolated state, Western Australia’s entire economy depends on efficient port infrastructure and associated land transport connections to support critical import and export supply chains,” said Ports Minister David Michael.

“All of these projects are investments in WA’s economic infrastructure, to cater for existing trades as well as new and emerging ones.”

New projects will include:

• · AUS$117 million for major rebuilding and upgrade of berths and mooring equipment at Fremantle, Kwinana and Esperance.
• · AUS$101 million contribution to a major new cargo wharf project at the Port of Dampier.
• · AUS$84 million for sustaining capital works across all ports.
• · AUS$17 million for essential roadworks at Utah Point in the Port of Port Hedland.
• · AUS$16 million for recladding of bulk export sheds at Geraldton and Bunbury.
• · AUS$14 million in funding for an industry-supported Seafarers Centre at Port Hedland.
• · AUS$8 million for heritage renovation of historic Albany port buildings.
• · AUS$6 million for infrastructure to support first point of entry designation for Broome Port.
• · AUS$5 million for B Shed upgrade to improve the visitor experience and further activate the Victoria Quay precinct.
• · AUS$4 million for planning for proposed new facilities in Esperance and Albany.

Western Australia exported AUS$263.5 billion in goods in the year to December 2023, and most of those goods passed through the state’s ports.

The ports were also crucial in receiving the bulk of the AUS$48.8 billion of goods imported in the same 12 month period.