As part of the WA Recovery Plan, the Western Australian Government is committing about $81.7 million to Pilbara Ports Authority for works that will support critical ports and road repairs.
“Western Australian ports are critical to the State’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our significant investment in WA ports will help drive ongoing trade through regional WA and will support growth through the State, creating a pipeline of jobs and stimulating the economy,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
The pipeline of works will help support essential trade through Port Hedland, and projects will include:
$10.5 million to upgrade the entrance road to Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area in Hedland
$20 million for Port Hedland’s Inner Harbour for upgrading retaining and sea walls
$51.2 million to Nelson Point Tug Haven, one of the original tug havens at the port, for upgrading retaining and sheet pile walls
These works are vital following the wear and tear at the port that were worsened after Cyclones Veronica in 2019 and Damien in 2020.
“These important port infrastructure works will ensure Pilbara Ports Authority continue to deliver safe operations and achieve outstanding volumes and records.
“It’s pleasing to see this uplift as it reinforces WA can do a roaring trade and it’s this sort of business activity that helps the local regional economy and contributes to WA’s recovery journey,” the Premier said.
Port Hedland is home to Australia’s largest tug fleet and it is considered vital to maintaining safe and efficient marine operations at this bulk export port.
Request for Proposals for the revetment work – a part of the Inner Harbour’s retaining and sea walls repair – is anticipated to be released to market next month and construction is expected to begin shortly after.
Pilbara Ports Authority has reached a record 717 million tonnes of trade for the financial year, pushing through the road to recovery from COVID-19. This output is equivalent to 13,583 Sydney Harbour Bridges.
An increase of three per cent from the previous year in imports and exports through the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland has been recorded, with most of the trade being iron ore exports.
The port of Port Hedland alone has reached a record annual throughput of 538 million tonnes – a five per cent increase from the previous year.
“This record throughput demonstrates the resilience of WA’s important resource sector and supply chain as the State recovers from COVID-19.
“We are a trading State, and our economic prosperity relies on our ports: iron ore, gas, grains, alumina and woodchips are driving our export opportunities and underpinning employment across the State.
“Investing in our publicly-owned port infrastructure is absolutely critical to maintaining and expanding our critical export industries,” Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
Approximately $158.8 million worth of improvements to ports and harbours across the State will be delivered as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan.
Source: Government of Western Australia; Australian Mining
