New Kwinana Port to set WA up for the next century

The Cook Labour Government has announced it will commence final detailed planning for a new container port in Kwinana, marking a significant economic project that will support Western Australia for the next century.

The Westport business case confirmed the urgent need for this new port, prompting WA Labour to invest $273 million to advance the project. This phase of detailed project definition planning will involve finalising designs, securing necessary approvals, addressing risks and uncertainties, acquiring land, and refining costs and construction strategies before moving to final decisions and the procurement of capital works contracts.

The announcement follows the completion of the Westport business case, which highlights potential economic risks if a new port is not developed. The report found that failing to alleviate constraints on container trade could cost the WA economy up to $244 billion over the coming decades—an average of $5 billion annually. Such inaction would lead to higher costs for everyday goods and impact WA businesses.

Projections indicate that Fremantle Port will reach its 1.4 million container per year capacity by 2040, or potentially as early as the mid-2030s under higher trade volumes. The surrounding road and rail infrastructure would face significant strain, necessitating the establishment of a new port by the late 2030s to ensure a smooth transition.

If container trade exceeds Fremantle Port’s capacity, WA could face the costly scenario of offloading goods at east coast ports and transporting them back by road and rail, posing a threat to the state’s economic self-sufficiency. The business case also noted that extending Fremantle Port’s operational life would still require building Westport within 10 years, costing an additional $2.2 billion.

Recent growth in container trade underscores the urgency, with a nearly 6 percent increase at Fremantle Port in the last financial year—an additional 50,000 containers compared to the previous year. WA’s population, projected to reach 3.6 million by 2036, will further drive demand for container trade.

Government investment for the new port is estimated at $7.2 billion, with final budget details to be established during procurement and capital works contracts. The business case recommends shifting container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana by the late 2030s to minimise economic impacts.

Supporting infrastructure projects, including widening the Kwinana Freeway and upgrading Anketell Road, will be required to alleviate current congestion, facilitate development in the Western Trade Coast, and support the expansion of the defence industry.

The new Kwinana port is expected to deliver numerous benefits, such as:

• Ensuring long-term trade capabilities and maintaining low costs for imports, exports, and everyday goods;

• Accommodating larger, more efficient vessels expected in the 2030s;

• Increasing the share of containers moved by rail from 20 percent to an estimated 30 percent, improving efficiency, and reducing congestion and emissions;

• Creating thousands of construction jobs and ongoing employment opportunities;

• Driving growth in the Kwinana Industrial Area and Western Trade Coast;

• Providing value for money, with a benefit-to-cost ratio above 4.0;

• Unlocking around 260 hectares of prime urban land in Fremantle, potentially housing 55,000 people.

The Federal Government has recognised the importance of Westport, contributing $33.5 million for the next planning phase, with further funding to be sought as the project advances towards construction.

For more information visit www.wa.gov.au