“Investment in port infrastructure has been recognised as an issue of national importance and the State Government’s approval will enable Fremantle Ports to go ahead with some significant works,” she said.

 “The biggest of the projects in the Inner Harbour is the planned deepening of the Inner Harbour and approach channels and the strengthening of the North Quay berths to provide increased draft capacity for the bigger ships now wanting to call at Fremantle.

 “Design and other work has already commenced, a contract for piles has been let and we plan to begin the berth works after letting a contract later this year. Subject to approvals, dredging will be undertaken, with a view to completion of both the berth works and the deepening early in 2010.

 “The average size of container ships visiting Fremantle Port has increased by 70 per cent over the past 15 years and deepening is essential for the port to be able to handle the larger ships now entering the Australian trade.

 “Without deepening, these larger ships will bypass Fremantle and exports and imports would increasingly need to be transhipped from larger ships to smaller ships at other ports, leading to higher costs for exporters and importers.

 “Funding set aside in the State budget will also enable Fremantle Ports to undertake a number of projects on Victoria Quay, including improvements to facilities for the fast growing trade in new motor vehicle imports and improvements to the Fremantle Passenger Terminal.

 “We are also planning some upgrading of facilities for ferry passengers and some road and services works associated with the Fremantle Waterfront implementation at the western end of Victoria Quay,” Kerry Sanderson said.

 “This forward-looking budget also has funding provisions that will enable us to continue the upgrading and expansion of our bulk handling facilities at Kwinana at a time when our bulk business is continuing to expand.”