On 22/6/11 WA Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the Fremantle Inner Harbour was expected to reach its capacity to manage container trade in about 10 years and a long-term plan was required to secure future trade gateways.“Extensive research has shown that Cockburn Sound is the only suitable location for new container-handling port facilities and, given the number of strategic port, industry and utility interests in that area, it is vital that all relevant issues are assessed through the appropriate statutory processes,” he said.
“Most demand for imported goods comes from the metropolitan area and locating the new container port close to Perth is the only viable option.”
The Minister said the first step in the development of the Fremantle Outer Harbour would be an overall planning assessment of the environmental, transport, planning and community issues associated with strategic port and industry development between Naval Base and James Point by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
“This will provide an outcome that will guide planning decisions and provide a framework to progress a new Outer Harbour container port facility in Cockburn Sound,” he said.
Read the full media release here.
See also the 'Optimising our port infrastructure and planning for growth' brochure.
Background
Working with the Department of Transport and other agencies, Fremantle Ports has undertaken planning for additional port facilities to cater for trade growth beyond the capacity of Fremantle’s Inner Harbour.
The Kwinana Quay proposal is an offshore option for additional container and general cargo port facilities with road and rail connections. Road and rail connections would be via an open spanned bridge.
The development of this option has been informed by numerous environmental, planning and other studies and has had significant community and other stakeholder input.