Westport project investment nears $70m

The total investment into the planning phase of the multi-billion-dollar Westport project nears $70 million after the federal government matched its state counterpart's funding.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a $33.5 million funding for the proposed Westport facilities, as part of the upcoming 2024-25 budget, during his short visit to Perth this morning.

The Westport project comprises port facilities in the Kwinana industrial area including a container terminal and breakwater.

The federal government’s $33.5 million investment will match the Western Australian government’s funding, bringing the total contribution for the project’s planning phase to $67 million.

Mr Albanese said the funding would cover planning for a new port and connected road, rail and logistics operations required to move container trade to Kwinana.

“What we’re promising is for half of the funding which is, between us and the state government, almost $70 million to do all of the planning work that's needed,” he said.

“Now it's at an early stage with approval but what we need to do is to make sure that you're not just talking about building a port in isolation.

“You're building roads for that port, rail infrastructure, everything that's needed to make sure it's a success.”

Mr Albanese said the proposed Kwinana port would be a critical hub.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said there was a lot of planning to be undertaken for the project.

"Westport is a major project that now we've got a new partner with the federal government to help deliver," she said.

"We’ve already announced their preferred location and style of port. Now we're going through all the planning for the roads, rail, and intermodal.

“This partnership will help us undertake that planning to then make further investment decisions."

The federal government has also committed to plan to upgrade Anketell Road West, widen Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway, duplicate freight rail, and remove level crossing.

The proposed Westport facilities would facilitate bigger ships compared to the existing terminal in Fremantle.

The project was estimated to cost $4 billion when first announced in 2020 but costings and delivery timeframes have changed, with a business case to update estimations expected to be released later this year.

Kwinana Industries Council welcomed the funding, with its director David Harrison urging the federal and state governments to invest in infrastructure along the western coast in the upcoming budgets.

“The Western Trade Coast is the perfect place for additional government support based on its long-standing global reputation as a leading heavy industrial area," he said.

"The scale of investment that is currently underway in new industries such as lithium processing, hydrogen, biofuels, and defence makes Kwinana the perfect place to invest.

“What we have before us is a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate the transformation of the Western Trade Coast and the Kwinana Industrial Area into a technically advanced and globally significant industrial hub."