- Tender opens for key planning work on freight rail links for Westport Program
- Design work will be critical to overall delivery of a new container port in Kwinana
The State Government is taking the next step in securing Western Australia's container trade future, releasing the tender to progress planning for key freight rail upgrades and the removal of the North Lake Road level crossing in South Lake.
These upgrades are a critical component to the Westport Program that will ultimately shift container trade from Fremantle to a new, modern facility in Kwinana.
The Request for Proposals invites companies to form an integrated project team to undertake the definition phase.
Works being planned and developed include new freight rail connections into the future Kwinana container port, duplication of freight rail between Kwinana and Cockburn, including removing existing rail level crossings, and replacing the existing North Lake Road rail level crossing in South Lake with a new bridge.
The project definition phase will include developing reference designs, community and stakeholder engagement, geotechnical and environmental site investigations, and progressing regulatory approvals to enable construction to proceed once funding is allocated.
Planning for a new container port at Kwinana is being jointly funded by the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open, with contract award anticipated in the first half of 2026.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We know rail is the safest and most efficient way to transport containers, and these upgrades are essential to increasing our container-on-rail mode share considerably once the new port container terminal opens.
"Our aim is to move more containers off our roads and onto rail, making our entire container supply chain safer and more efficient.
"This work will also be a game changer for local communities by removing bottlenecks like the North Lake Road level crossing, making it safer and less congested.
"Westport will futureproof WA's trade capabilities for the next century, ensuring costs for imports, exports, and everyday goods remain low."
