Libs unveil plan for Freo Port relocation

The state opposition has unveiled a major plan for the strategic relocation of heavy port operations and road freight traffic out of North Fremantle to a new port in Kwinana, which could link in with Len Buckeridge's James Point port proposal.

The plan released by Liberal shadow minister for transport and infrastructure Simon O'Brien today involves the staged transfer of livestock transporters, bulk cargo, large car carriers and large containerships to new port in the outer harbour area of Kwinana - Naval Base by 2017.

The new port would be land backed and could link in with James Point, which is proposed to be constructed in the waters of Cockburn Sound between the BP Refinery and the Kwinana Power Station.

Mr O'Brien said the new port would deliver growth capacity for the future, improved freight routes with less conflict with passenger traffic, and state of the art port facilities.

"Western Australia needs long-term plans to meet the needs of the future and community expectations," Mr O'Brien said.

"The current North Fremantle transport infrastructure is bursting at the seams.

"Poor transport links mean that an increasing number of heavy freight vehicles are impacting on residential areas.

"While Fremantle should always have an operating port, now is the time to position ourselves for the future and to shift heavy port operations to a more appropriate location."

Mr O'Brien said that the Carpenter Government's plan to allow heavy freight transport to increase by 140 per cent in the Fremantle area was totally unacceptable and short-sighted.

"There is no doubt that the heavy port operations currently in Fremantle, and massive increases proposed by Labor, do not fit with the area's increasing importance as a tourism destination and create significant problems for surrounding residential areas," Mr O'Brien said.

"The relocation of operations to a new port facility will also provide an opportunity for one of the most significant redevelopment projects the state has ever seen.

"The existing North Fremantle site, incorporating North Quay and Rous Head, is significantly larger than the Fremantle CBD and comparable in size to the Perth CBD.

"The Western Australian community will have an opportunity for new, world class development on this site.

"The future uses of this area are a matter for the whole State to consider and debate.

"We have the opportunity to create something truly extraordinary incorporating residential, recreational, visitor, tourist and commercial activities.

"I want to encourage competition amongst the finest architects, planners and engineers to deliver the best possible designs and ideas.

"The development of the North Fremantle site will also finance the next generation of port facilities for Western Australia.

"Through this project, we can ensure that Fremantle is a truly living port."