- Cook Government confirms preferred design for a new container terminal in Kwinana
- Design to enable increased volumes of container trade and larger ships, supporting economic growth and diversification
- Preferred location is adjacent to the shoreline of the current Kwinana Bulk Terminal site
- Fremantle Port to transform into a vibrant precinct, catering for WA's future population growth
- Business case including project timelines and costings to be finalised in mid-2024
The Cook Labor Government has today unveiled the preferred design and location for a new container terminal in Kwinana, marking a major milestone for the project that will help to keep Western Australia's economy strong for the next century.
Planning for a new container terminal has been ongoing for a number of years, with modelling consistently showing Fremantle Port and its surrounding roads will reach capacity within the next two decades.
Fremantle Port currently imports and exports around 800,000 containers annually, but this is expected to grow to more than three million containers over the next 50 years.
Ensuring WA has a terminal and freight network capable of supporting the projected growth in container trade is critical to the State's economy over the next century.
The preferred design and location have been established following 18 months of detailed design and consultation with key stakeholders, and the outcomes of the 2020 Westport Independent Taskforce Stage Two Report.
The preferred design includes:
- a container terminal adjacent to the shoreline of the current Kwinana Bulk Terminal;
- a new breakwater to provide enhanced protection to the port and docked ships;
- major upgrades to key freight roads leading to and from the new container terminal including Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway;
- duplication of the freight rail between the container terminal and Cockburn; and
- upgrades to key intermodal terminals (IMT) at Kenwick and Forrestfield, and the delivery of a new IMT at Kewdale - establishing a key logistics hub east of Perth where existing industrial land can support significant business activity.
The design of the container terminal will allow it to cater to larger ships than the existing Fremantle terminal and incorporates redevelopment of the ageing Kwinana Bulk Terminal jetty.
The location will also avoid impact on other critical public infrastructure including Water Corp's desalination plant and Synergy's power plants.
Design concepts were assessed against a range of criteria including environmental, long-term sustainability, efficiency of the supply chain network and port, and financial value to the State and local economies. Westport engaged extensively with leading experts in engineering, marine science, sustainability, and transport to develop and review design options.
Planning has also been informed by the State Government funded $13.5 million Western Australian Marine Science Institution Westport Marine Science Program, which has led a number of studies aimed at mitigating and offsetting the impacts of a new container port.
Planning and engagement with stakeholders on the appropriate location for non-container trade based at Fremantle Port is continuing.
The project business case, including the recommended development timings and costings, is expected to be finalised in mid-2024.
Moving container trade away from Fremantle Port will also unlock around 260 hectares of prime inner urban land in Fremantle, which will support WA's growing population. Fremantle Port will retain its status as a working port for cruise, visiting naval and recreational vessels.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This is economic infrastructure that sets our State up for the long-term.
"A world class port in Kwinana is critical for our State to remain a global economic and industrial powerhouse for decades to come, supporting thousands of local WA jobs.
"Through this design, we can ensure WA can continue to meet trade demand long into the future while strengthening our supply chain lines and improving road safety in the southern suburbs.
"Only our plan will futureproof WA's container trade and economy for the next 100 years, and transform communities in Kwinana and Fremantle."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The development of a new container terminal and supporting freight network would represent one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in WA.
"Over the past 18 months, the Westport team has undertaken detailed options analysis and engaged with dozens of key stakeholders and experts to develop this preferred design for the port and freight network.
"The modelling over a number of years has been consistent and shows Fremantle Port and its surrounding road network will become significantly constrained within the next two decades.
"Having a port and freight network that can support the expected growth in Western Australia's container trade is absolutely essential to the long-term health of our economy.
"Any restrictions on our capacity to meet future demand for container trade would place a significant handbrake on our economy, push up the price of household goods, hurt local businesses and reduce our capacity to create jobs.
"We believe this preferred design addresses the core objectives of providing value and benefits to WA's economy, society and environment.
"The preferred design will inform a Business Case which is currently in preparation and will outline detailed delivery timelines and costings."
As stated by Ports Minister David Michael:
"Having an efficient container port on the west coast is essential to maintaining our economic security and way of life.
"The proposed infrastructure is being planned to be ready when Fremantle meets capacity, ensuring we are making the most of our current port infrastructure, while efficiently and reliably preparing for the future.
"The Westport program recognises that the Kwinana Bulk Terminal in the Outer Harbour is also critical for economic growth in the Western Trade Coast. The relocation and upgrade of this terminal's jetty is a critical enabler for Westport and is planned to be constructed ahead of the new container terminal.
"Westport and Fremantle Ports have invested in the early design work for a new Kwinana Bulk Terminal Jetty at the southern end of the proposed container terminal."
