Green transmission line, $80m road upgrades powering the Pilbara
The Pilbara region in WA will be home to a new high-capacity common use transmission line for green energy.
When completed, the Maitland-Karratha-Burrup line will be the first major transmission line to deliver clean electricity to the Burrup Peninsula and will link renewable energy generation in the Maitland Strategic Industrial Area with Karratha and major industry players in the Pilbara.
Traditional Owners, the Ngarluma Aboriginal Corporation, and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation – who have formed an alliance for the project that is part of a working group with the WA Government – are continuing to work alongside Perdaman, Woodside, and Yara Pilbara on this development.
The project has the potential to be the first in the State to attract concessional finance from the Federal Government’s Rewiring the Nation fund, up to $3b of which has been allocated to WA.
WA Premier Roger Cook says this development represents the first major step in decarbonising the Pilbara and is crucial in turning WA into a green energy powerhouse.
“This project has strong potential to unlock additional job-creating opportunities on the Burrup Peninsula, while meeting growing demand for clean, reliable energy,” he said.
“With support for Traditional Owners and industry, this project has strong potential to create quality local jobs, build better regions and deliver economic growth that benefits all Western Australians.”
The WA Government is continuing to work closely with Traditional Owners and industry to design the transmission assets, while ensuring minimal On Country impact.
It is anticipated the Maitland-Karratha-Burrup line will provide the template for future common use renewable infrastructure to support the region’s decarbonisation.
Driving road safety, transport efficiency & freight productivity
The Pilbara is responsible for about 20% of Gross State Product and contributes about a quarter of WA Government revenue.
In other developments, the WA Government is currently undertaking $80m worth of road upgrades and improvements to improve freight productivity and safety in the region.
Two projects are being delivered north and south of Newman:
- $50m from the Roads of Strategic Importance program allocated towards the construction of 11 overtaking lanes on Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland; and
- $29m of safety upgrades comprising sealed road shoulder and audible edge lines to more than 150km of the same highway between Kumarina and Newman, delivered from the WA Government’s landmark $1b Regional Road Safety Program.
More than 60% of traffic between Newman and Port Hedland comprise heavy vehicles and Premier Cook says it is important to support safe access for heavy vehicle operators in the Pilbara.
“These projects will continue to foster investment and growth in the region’s tourism and mining sectors, by providing better access and connectivity,” he said.
“It’s also fantastic to see that these projects providing opportunities for Aboriginal businesses and building local skills and talent, creating brighter futures for our local communities.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti says “improving freight productivity and road safety go hand in hand, and our Government is absolutely committed to making the movement of goods around our State as smooth as possible”.
Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel the new overtaking lanes between Newman and Port Hedland will be a game changer for the local community, providing motorists with regular opportunities to overtake and avoid risk-taking behaviour.
“The heavy haulage industry is absolutely critical to the Pilbara and WA, so providing our truck drivers with safer roads and better facilities is an absolute must,” he said.