The Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) will receive $81.7m for critical upgrades to help drive WA’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
WA Premier Mark McGowan and Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel visited the Port of Port Hedland this week to inspect the areas that will benefit from the huge funding injection for road and port repairs under the WA Recovery Plan.
The program of works will be undertaken to support continued essential trade through Port Hedland and includes:
- $10.5m to upgrade the entrance road to Boodarie Strategic Industrial Area in Hedland
- $20m for Port Hedland’s Inner Harbour for upgrading retaining and sea walls and
- $51.2m to Nelson Point Tug Haven, one of the original tug havens at the port, for upgrading retaining and sheet pile walls.
The PPA encompasses the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland with the estimated market value of product passing through them contributing to about 42% of global seaborne iron ore exports.
News of the funding package came as the PPA achieved a record 717mt of trade for the financial year.
Port Hedland is home to Australia’s largest tug fleet, which is critical to maintaining safe and efficient marine operations at the world’s largest bulk export port.
Mr McGowan said WA ports were critical to the State’s economic recovery from COVID-19.
“Our significant investment in WA ports will help drive ongoing trade through regional WA and will support growth through the State, creating a pipeline of jobs and stimulating the economy,” he said.
“These important port infrastructure works will ensure Pilbara Ports Authority continue to deliver safe operations and achieve outstanding volumes and records.
“It’s pleasing to see this uplift as it reinforces WA can do a roaring trade and it’s this sort of business activity that helps the local regional economy and contributes to WA’s recovery journey.”
A record volume of imports and exports through the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland is an increase of 3% from the previous year, with most of the trade stemming from iron ore exports.
Infrastructure improvements will build on works required following wear and tear, which was worsened following Cyclones Veronica in 2019 and Damien in 2020.
PPA’s ports contributed to 20% of WA’s Gross State Product in 2018-19 and underpinned one in every 12 jobs across the State.
Ports Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the record throughput demonstrated the resilience of WA’s resource sector as the State’s economy powers through the effects of COVID-19.
“We are a trading state, and our economic prosperity relies on our ports: iron ore, gas, grains, alumina and woodchips are driving our export opportunities and underpinning employment across the state,” she said.
“Investing in our publicly-owned port infrastructure is absolutely critical to maintaining and expanding our critical export industries.”
