The Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) is pressuring the state government to develop a new live cattle export port facility at Point Torment north of Derby.
This week the Premier Colin Barnett reportedly said he was very optimistic that the port could be built and be operational by 2012.
In November last year, Mr Barnett announced Inpex Corporation was conducting feasibility studies on the construction of a supply base at Port Torment.
Back then, he said a supply base would support commercialisation of Browse Basin gas reserves by Inpex and others. Mr Barnett said it would include an appropriate port, port-related infrastructure and industry land.
The construction phase of the project has an estimated total cost of $550 million.
Given Mr Barnett's positive murmurings, the PGA believes a cattle facility could be developed in tandem with the proposed new oil and gas shipping infrastructures.
PGA President, Rob Gilliam said the cattle industry desperately needed an alternative to Broome and Darwin.
"The deep water capacity Port Torment would offer larger, more viable shipping," he said.
Mr Gilliam is also urging Transport Minister, Simon O'Brien, to make good on his promise of a new private port development at James Port, near Kwinana to enable livestock to be moved out of Fremantle.