Freo, Kwinana harbours will co-exist

OPINION: The proposed sale of Fremantle Port has given rise to a number of issues including the development of the Perth Freight Link and Roe 8 Highway, the proposed establishment of the Indian Ocean Gateway, and the creation of an outer harbour in Kwinana.

While the strategic importance of an outer port cannot be overstated, it must be acknowledged that there appears to be a disconnect regarding the debate on the Fremantle Port sale and other related infrastructure, and that the ongoing developments towards a more efficient inner harbour will eventually lead to the establishment of an outer harbour.

The question is ‘when’ it will be developed.

Fremantle is, and will remain, a port city. To support this trade hub, the State and Federal Governments have both committed to developing key infrastructure to address issues of critical importance.

The development of the Perth Freight Link and Roe 8 Highway, while controversial, are all part of addressing the immediate needs of the ever-expanding agricultural sector.

Though WAFarmers would prefer to see the introduction of alternative proposals currently being put forward by a range of stakeholders, we recognise that all options have the best interest of the state’s development at heart and deserve to be given due diligence.

To this end, there will always be an inner harbour in the City of Fremantle. This harbour is not currently at capacity and while there are varying arguments as to how long it will be until it is at the extent of its operations, it will not close down because an outer harbour is available.

Additionally, the agricultural sector continues to need the inner harbour for livestock shipping and increasing container use for agricultural products, imported machinery, and other general goods, as does the state as a whole.

The inner harbour infrastructure investment is for now and the Fremantle Port sale, if all goes well, should lead to the development of an outer harbour. One follows the other; it does not replace it.

While it could be argued that the sale of Fremantle Port is being rushed by the State Government for economic reasons, the latest proposal from Treasurer Mike Nahan, which was presented at a public forum in Northam last night, goes out of its way to assure port users that they will have sufficient oversight and will protect users from being overcharged.

Additionally Treasurer Nahan has proposed to immediately build a dedicated livestock loading facility in Kwinana which would be operational within two to three years.

While an attractive offer, farmers and other port users should give this their due consideration and examine all the points that Treasurer Nahan has proposed to protect the interest of all port users. WAFarmers assures its members and other key stakeholders that it will carefully consider all points presented by the Treasurer.

Tony York is a Tammin grain and sheep farmer and president of WAFarmers.