The state government has committed $20 million to kickstart delivery of an infrastructure strategy for Kwinana but the total bill is likely to run into the billions.
The state government has committed $20 million to kickstart delivery of an infrastructure strategy for Kwinana but the total bill is likely to run into the billions.
Premier Roger Cook today launched the Western Trade Coast Infrastructure Strategy, covering 3,900 hectares of land in Kwinana, Rockingham and Cockburn.
The strategy identified multiple challenges in the area, including congestion at key intersections, the limited availability of industrial land and ageing port infrastructure.
The Kwinana Industries Council said the need for upgraded infrastructure across the Western Trade Coast was becoming urgent and risking growth and investment.
It said significant investment was needed in roads, railways, electricity, ports, pipelines and land if the area was to take full advantage of the many opportunities for economic growth and diversification.
To start delivery of the strategy, the government has announced $20 million to expand capacity at the Kwinana Bulk Jetty.
The funding will allow Fremantle Ports to acquire 4.9ha of vacant land from DevelopmentWA.
The port authority will also be allocated $2 million so it can start planning for new storage sheds, upgraded roads and improved rail sidings on this land.
KIC chief executive David Harrison said more action was needed.
He described the Kwinana Bulk Jetty as a critical piece of economic infrastructure in desperate need of expansion.
“We urge the government to allocate more funding for the construction of a new berth to meet the growing needs of industry,” Mr Harrison said.
This accords with the new infrastructure strategy, which recommends an expansion of the Kwinana Bulk Jetty with a dedicated bulk liquids berth to increase capacity.
The strategy also calls for construction of a new bulk terminal to replace the ageing infrastructure of the nearby Kwinana Bulk Terminal.
Both upgrades have been on the wish list of industry and the port authority for years.
Ports Minister David Michael acknowledged the need for upgrades.
“The jetties and berths at Kwinana Bulk Terminal and Kwinana Bulk Jetty have served the state well for over sixty years, and now our government is looking to the future,” Mr Michael said.
“The twenty-million-dollar investment in valuable land near Kwinana Bulk Jetty will pave the way for redevelopment of the landside infrastructure and the new industries that will depend on it.
“With Westport on the way, the maritime infrastructure serving the entire Kwinana Industrial precinct is set for redevelopment; an important step towards realising the full economic potential of this unique industrial zone.”
Mr Harrison said his members were looking for more funding commitments.
“While the report is clear on what is needed to address the area’s infrastructure shortcomings, what is missing is a commitment from government to allocate the funding needed to remove the bottlenecks on local industry and new investment,” he said.
“Emerging opportunities including Westport, Aukus and advanced manufacturing makes government investment in local infrastructure a no brainer.
“We look forward to seeing clear and funded commitments from government to address these significant infrastructure constraints.”
Other recommendations in the strategy include upgraded intersections on Rockingham Road to reduce north-south congestion and an extension off Rowley Road to facilitate east-west movements from the Kwinana Freeway.
It also called for a new north-south road to connect Russell and Anketell roads, and improve access to Latitude 32 industrial estate, where the government plans to release more land.
However, in order for this to happen, the government needs to consolidate ownership of land that is privately held.
The strategy also called for major upgrades to rail infrastructure in the area along with power and water supplies.
Many of its recommendations dovetail with those already made by the Westport taskforce, which is planning for a new container port at Cockburn Sound.
The strategy does not seek to quantify the cost of its recommendations but, when comapred to major road and energy projects underway, it would easily cost in the billions of dollars.
