Freemantle’s Inner Harbour currently handles the vast majority of WA’s container trade. Photo: Freemantle Port Authority

THE WESTERN Australian Government has unveiled the preferred design and location for a new container terminal in Kwinana.

Planning for the terminal has taking place over several years, with modelling consistently showing Fremantle Port and its surrounding roads will reach capacity within the next two decades.

Fremantle Port currently imports and exports around 800,000 containers annually, but this is expected to grow to more than three million containers over the next 50 years.

WA Premier Roger Cook said the plan will ensure the state has a terminal and freight network capable of supporting the projected growth in container trade is critical to the State’s economy over the next century.

“A world-class port in Kwinana is critical for our state to remain a global economic and industrial powerhouse for decades to come, supporting thousands of local WA jobs,” Mr Cook said.

“Through this design, we can ensure WA can continue to meet trade demand long into the future while strengthening our supply-chain lines and improving road safety in the southern suburbs.

“Only our plan will futureproof WA’s container trade and economy for the next 100 years, and transform communities in Kwinana and Fremantle.”

Source: Westport

The preferred design and location have been established following 18 months of detailed design and consultation with key stakeholders, and the outcomes of the 2020 Westport Independent Taskforce Stage Two Report.

The preferred design includes:

• A container terminal adjacent to the shoreline of the current Kwinana Bulk Terminal;
• A new breakwater to provide enhanced protection to the port and docked ships;
• Major upgrades to key freight roads leading to and from the new container terminal including Anketell Road, Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway;
• Duplication of the freight rail between the container terminal and Cockburn; and
• Upgrades to key intermodal terminals (IMT) at Kenwick and Forrestfield, and the delivery of a new IMT at Kewdale – establishing a key logistics hub east of Perth where existing industrial land can support significant business activity.

The design of the container terminal will allow it to cater to larger ships than the existing Fremantle terminal and incorporates redevelopment of the ageing Kwinana Bulk Terminal jetty.

The location will also avoid impact on other critical public infrastructure including Water Corp’s desalination plant and Synergy’s power plants.

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the preferred design will provide “value and benefits to WA’s economy, society and environment”.

“Having a port and freight network that can support the expected growth in Western Australia’s container trade is absolutely essential to the long-term health of our economy,” Ms Saffioti said.

“Any restrictions on our capacity to meet future demand for container trade would place a significant handbrake on our economy, push up the price of household goods, hurt local businesses and reduce our capacity to create jobs.

“The preferred design will inform a Business Case which is currently in preparation and will outline detailed delivery timelines and costings.”

Design concepts were assessed against a range of criteria including environmental, long-term sustainability, efficiency of the supply chain network and port, and financial value to the State and local economies.

Westport engaged extensively with leading experts in engineering, marine science, sustainability, and transport to develop and review design options.

Planning has also been informed by the State Government funded $13.5 million Western Australian Marine Science Institution Westport Marine Science Program, which has led a number of studies aimed at mitigating and offsetting the impacts of a new container port.

Planning and engagement with stakeholders on the appropriate location for non-container trade based at Fremantle Port is continuing.

The project business case, including the recommended development timings and costings, is expected to be finalised in mid-2024.

Moving container trade away from Fremantle Port will also unlock around 260 hectares of prime inner urban land in Fremantle, which will support WA’s growing population. Fremantle Port will retain its status as a working port for cruise, visiting naval and recreational vessels.

Source: WA Government