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

THE WESTERN Australian government has welcomed Infrastructure WA’s (IWA) endorsement of the Westport business case — a plan to shift container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana, aimed at securing the state’s long-term freight capacity and trade resilience.

The IWA assessment endorsed the business case and planning progressing to the next stage.

IWA considered key drivers for the new container port, its alignment with other strategic projects in WA, the economic, social and environmental impacts, the design process, and its deliverability in terms of timing and cost.

The assessment report noted the considerable work undertaken to consider port design options, good practice for considering environment and sustainability, the robust process to assess design options for marine and landside infrastructure, and the significant stakeholder consultation, both internal and external to government.

WA Acting Transport Minister John Carey said the endorsement confirmed the government’s view that “transitioning WA’s container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana in the late 2030s is the only viable solution to resolve future container trade constraints in WA for the long-term”.

“IWA’s advice provides further assurance for Western Australians that Westport has undertaken a thorough and exhaustive planning process, including the consideration of design options, the assessment of those options, supported by extensive consultation,” Mr Carey said.

“Failure to act on the future constraints on container trade will come at a considerable cost to our State and future generations.

“Westport will futureproof WA’s trade capabilities for the next century, ensuring costs for imports, exports and everyday goods remain low and our economy the strongest in the country.”

Risks of inaction

The Westport Business Case found inaction to address constraints on trade could cost the Western Australian economy $244 billion over coming decades – an average of $5B per year – driving significant increases in the costs of everyday household goods and exports for WA businesses.

Under a moderate growth scenario, Fremantle Port is expected to reach its capacity of 1.4 million containers per year by 2040, or as early as the mid-2030s if higher volumes of trade eventuate, with the surrounding road and rail network becoming significantly constrained earlier than this – meaning a new port needs to be built by the late 2030s, to enable a smooth transition.

If no action is taken and trade exceeds Fremantle Port’s capacity, containers bound for WA will need to be offloaded at east coast ports and transported back by road and rail.

This would result in added costs and put WA’s economic self-sufficiency at severe risk.

The business case also confirmed that the option to extend the life of Fremantle Port would still require Westport to be built less than 10 years later, costing Western Australians an extra $2.2B and creating additional delivery and environmental risks.

The preferred option was identified in the business case based on an integrated analysis of both options, including an assessment of project economics, strategic outcomes, deliverability and operational impacts on the supply chain.

Following the completion of the business case in November 2024, the State Government invested $273 million to progress Westport to begin definition works and reference designs ahead of a final capital investment decision and construction.

IWA provides expert advice and assistance to the WA Government on a range of infrastructure matters, particularly regarding the State’s infrastructure needs and priorities. Its review of the Westport Business Case was conducted as part of IWA’s legislative function to assess and report to the Premier on major infrastructure proposals.

Source: WA Government