Budget makes long-term investment into critical South West port

Southern Ports has welcomed a $4.8m boost to the Port of Bunbury’s long-term expansion included in last-week's State Budget.

The funding will allow for the development of a detailed business case and studies to shape the future growth at the Port of Bunbury.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the funding recognised the critical role the Port of Bunbury plays in making WA’s ambitions a reality.

“The South West and the Port of Bunbury are the front line of WA’s next major economic shift in advanced manufacturing, industry and the energy transition,” he said.

“The Port of Bunbury will play a key role in facilitating these new trade opportunities and supporting the creation of regional jobs across ports, manufacturing and emerging industries.”

Minster for Ports Stephen Dawson MLC said the investment into the Port of Bunbury would prepare it for future growth.

“Our ports drive Western Australia's economic growth, and the State Budget is investing in infrastructure to keep our State moving forward,” he said.

Mr Wilks said the planning will ensure the Port of Bunbury continues to support trade, jobs and economic growth across the South West and wider WA economy.

“The Bunbury Port Optimisation Plan is about making sure the port remains efficient, competitive and capable of supporting the growth and diversification of trade well into the future,” he said.

“Our focus is on making sure investment decisions made today do not limit future opportunity.”

The planning will build on work already being carried out to unlock the full potential of the Port’s 470ha of landholdings, including last year’s completion of the $34m Turkey Point Access Road and Bridge which was an important step in separating the Port’s heavy vehicle traffic from local road users accessing nearby amenities.

This new investment in planning at Bunbury builds on the $150.4m in essential infrastructure and renewal projects planned or underway by Southern Ports over the next five years, including $55m in 2026-27 to progress:
 

  - the Port of Albany’s General Purpose Berth and Pilot Station Precinct Redevelopment

  - shed recladding at the Ports of Bunbury and Esperance

  - operational technology improvements across all ports

  - the Port of Esperance’s tug pen and pilot jetty upgrade

  - electrical infrastructure improvements at Albany and Bunbury,

  - port road upgrades at the Port of Esperance, and

  - a range of other sustaining capital works.
 

Read more about how the State Government is investing in infrastructure across WA and its ports – here. 

Check out State Budget snapshots – here.