68. Enhance supply chain efficiency by supporting expansion of direct shipping services to the state’s north, including:
- assessing the viability, costs and benefits of long-term direct shipping services and associated infrastructure requirements
- seeking Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and private funding for any major new port facility required for direct shipping, including new common user general cargo facilities
- funding, in partnership with the Australian Government, all relevant port facilities to have appropriate ‘first point of entry’ infrastructure and systems (for border control, customs and quarantine requirements)
- planning for fit for purpose road connections to direct shipping facilities.
The WA Government responded to Foundation for a stronger tomorrow in February 2023. Recommendation 68 (a,c,d) is fully supported; (b) is not supported. For further information please refer to the response document.
Actions:
68.99 Deliver upgrades to Great Northern Highway at Lumsden Point, to enable importation of Over Size Over Mass modules
68.100 Continue to explore options for appropriate first-port-of-entry infrastructure to facilitate border control, customs and quarantine requirements, including at the Port of Broome
68.101 Finalise approval with the Australian Government of the first-point-of-entry requirements for the Port of Broome and resubmit a modified business case
2/3 actions on schedule
1/3 actions complete
68.99 On schedule
Pilbara Port Authority is finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MRWA. Execution of the MOU and contract award are expected in Q3 2024.
68.100 On schedule
First Port of Entry infrastructure at Broome Port was funded in the 2024-25 Budget ($6m). Pilbara Port Authority is progressing with its First Port of Entry applications for Lumsden Point and Ashburton Ports.
68.101 Complete
Action is complete, with Australian Government support to expand First Point of Entry status for the Port of Broome as announced in February 2024.