The Engine Room for Our Economy

The Pilbara is the “engine room” of both the Western Australian and Australian economies, according to WA Minister for Transport Rita Saffioti. And that engine room is about to get a massive boost from the government.

The Federal Government is investing $565 million for port upgrades in the Pilbara. The government said the investment would help expand the export and import capacity at the Port of Port Hedland. Part of this funding will go to expanding the Lumsden Point facility. The project is in partnership with the Western Australian Government, which is contributing $96.5 million. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who visited Port Hedland with WA Premier Mark McGowan at the end of February, said the government’s investment would help unlock trade and investment opportunities, local jobs and help drive Australia’s net-zero future.

“Here in Port Hedland we see something like 4% of our GDP go through this port – it is a great wealth creator here in the Pilbara,” he said. “This will make an enormous difference.” “Demand is growing locally and overseas for clean energy sources and our government’s investment in the Lumsden Point expansion will help position Northern Australia to take advantage of the economic opportunities this demand presents,” Mr Albanese said. The government said the facility would support the growth of direct shipping services to the Pilbara. it would also boost capacity to export battery metals and import renewable infrastructure.

The first stage of works on the massive project will see the construction of two seawalls and a new causeway, which will connect the wharf to the proposed logistics hub. WA Premier Mark McGowan said the Pilbara has been at the heart of Australia’s economic strength for decades, generating wealth for the entire country and supporting thousands of people in employment across Western Australia. He said, “This port expansion will help to position Port Hedland at the forefront of the future green industries that will drive our state’s economy for decades to come.”

source: Daily Cargo News