❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the Port Hedland port expansion plan, inquiring about its relation to Fortescue Metals Group's development, the cargo driving demand, and the rationale for government funding. The minister confirms a new plan, details cargo demands, and clarifies the need for a separate facility due to FMG's infrastructure limitations.
AnsweredQoN 699Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PORT HEDLAND - PORT EXPANSION PLAN
I have asked this question twice already and have not received an answer. I refer the minister to the “Resources” lift-out in the 3 September edition of the Sunday Times , in which the chief executive officer of the Port Hedland Port Authority is reported as saying that plans have been completed for a $200 million port expansion plan that would be funded by port charges. (1) Does this port expansion reflect a new plan in addition to the anticipated port development by Fortescue Metals Group? (2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA
I have asked this question twice already and have not received an answer. I refer the minister to the “Resources” lift-out in the 3 September edition of the Sunday Times , in which the chief executive officer of the Port Hedland Port Authority is reported as saying that plans have been completed for a $200 million port expansion plan that would be funded by port charges. (1) Does this port expansion reflect a new plan in addition to the anticipated port development by Fortescue Metals Group? (2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(1) Does this port expansion reflect a new plan in addition to the anticipated port development by Fortescue Metals Group? (2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(1) Does this port expansion reflect a new plan in addition to the anticipated port development by Fortescue Metals Group? (2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(2) Is so, what kind of cargo is driving demand for further port expansion? (3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(3) Why is the government considering funding the port expansion, given that FMG’s proposed development is expected to provide public or third party access to the expanded new port capacity? Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
Hon ADELE FARINA replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(1) Yes. (2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(2) Increased iron ore exports and new exports by smaller iron ore proponents, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. Additionally, there is a need to relocate manganese and chrome product handling and stockpiling to address related environmental concerns, including the effect of dust and increasing road train traffic on the town. (3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
(3) FMG has expressed an interest in handling third party products, but the port authority’s advice is that FMG’s infrastructure is not suited to handling products other than iron ore. An additional facility is therefore required to cater for the significant expansion expected to occur over the public berths in the next five years; namely, increasing general cargo, container, oil and acid imports, together with increasing copper and zinc concentrate exports, and forecast increases in salt exports. The port authority is developing a business case in consultation with port customers. Any final business case will require considerable customer contributions towards the total estimated project cost of $200 million. The balance of funding needs would be borrowed by the port authority and repaid. Any government funding support would be considered as and when a business case was submitted.
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