Infrastructure upgrades at Port of Esperance funded by the 2023-24 State Budget will benefit local contractors and enable future growth, according to the chief executive of Southern Ports.
The Budget was delivered on Thursday and saw more than $31 million allocated to Southern Ports for infrastructure upgrades.
This included $7.4m for road upgrades and $6.5m for cranes at Port of Esperance, while $17.4m was committed for “major technology upgrades” across Southern Ports’ three facilities.
The authority operates the ports of Esperance, Albany, and Bunbury, facilitating the export of nickel, iron ore and grain from its Esperance operation.
Southern Ports chief executive Keith Wilks said the State Government’s investment in the Esperance port’s infrastructure would benefit their customers and contractors in the seaside town.
“For our Port of Esperance, the investment in road upgrades, container crane refurbishments and new technologies will build efficiencies and expand our capacity to facilitate trade, improve operating conditions for our customers and provide new opportunities for local contractors,” he said.
“The McGowan Government’s investment of $62m announced in the State Budget will see Southern Ports deliver its largest annual capital works program for almost a decade.”
Mr Wilks said the upgrades would strengthen the port’s capacity for future growth amid increasing demand for future-facing commodities.
“Importantly, the upgrades will also position the port to accommodate future growth, already being felt with burgeoning commodities such (as) spodumene,” he said.
Ports Minister Rita Saffioti said WA’s ports were critical part of the State’s export industry which connected customers across the world.
“We continue to see increasing demand for many of our exports including iron ore, gas and wheat, which is why we continue to invest in upgrading and expanding infrastructure at our ports,” she said.
“As the world transitions to renewables, we need to ensure our ports are equipped to export and import key commodities and infrastructure, and our investments over the next four years are focused on delivering that.
“This will make sure Western Australia is in a strong position to capitalise from the transition.”