First step made in Oakajee strategic industrial area with $20m contract to build road awarded

A $20 million contract to build an access road to the future Oakajee industrial precinct has been awarded, in a first step the Premier says will help “turn the Oakajee dream into a reality”. Over the decades, many in the community have likened the protracted Oakajee saga to the proverbial road to nowhere, but now the Cook Government is paving the way for the site to be infrastructure-ready. In a first milestone to establish the Oakajee strategic industrial area as a clean energy hub, the tender to build a new precinct access road has been awarded to Perth-based company Highway Construction Pty Ltd. Construction of the road, a 2021 State election promise from Labor, will start in coming months. Its price tag since then has gone from $7.5m to $20m. Premier Roger Cook said Oakajee was on the “path to becoming one of the State’s major clean energy jobs precincts” and would help position WA as a global renewable energy powerhouse. “Through the new access road, the $500m Strategic Industries Fund and our lease incentive scheme, we’re turning the Oakajee dream into a reality,” Mr Cook said. “Developing Oakajee will create thousands of long-term jobs for Geraldton, diversify the Mid West economy and help WA to become a global renewable energy powerhouse.” Oakajee, about 20km north of Geraldton and known for its world-class wind and solar potential, has had a chequered history, with various plans and proposals for the site falling flat. In 2022, the State Government allocated land at Oakajee to six proponents pending negotiations and agreements, including BP, Fortescue Future Industries, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Green LOHC, Kinara Power and Blue Diamond Australia. The road project includes a new intersection at North West Coastal Highway, the first phase of the access road and about 4km of highway widening in the area, with new acceleration and deceleration lanes to be built. The upgrades to support heavy freight movements in and out of the SIA are due to be finished later next year. In its 2024-25 Budget, the Cook Government allocated $500m to the Strategic Industries Fund to help unlock the State’s 13 SIAs, including Oakajee. Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the SIAs not only provided massive economic opportunities across the State, but would also create more long-term jobs for West Australians. “This is an important first step for our future Oakajee SIA, and importantly, will provide a safer road environment for the heavy freight vehicles that will operate in the area,” she said. Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton welcomed the milestone. “Unlocking Oakajee means thousands of jobs and a strong economy for Geraldton long into the future,” she said. “The steps we are taking now . . . will set Geraldton up for long-term success.”