Have your say on Westport: What we have found so far

The state government’s Westport Taskforce has released its first progress report, Westport: What we have found so far and City of Armadale residents are now invited to have their say on the report by Monday 21 January 2019.

The report provides long-term container trade forecasts that confirm the need to plan new freight infrastructure and specifies eight strategic options.

City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said he urged residents to have a look at the report online and give their feedback directly to Westport.

“There are eight future port scenarios - the feasible combinations of where trades can be located across the three ports have been identified and explained in the report.”

Deloitte Access Economics have forecasted that Perth’s container trade will reach 3.1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2068, based on a long term growth of 2.8 per cent annually.

“However, container trade increased by 7.5 per cent from 2016/17 to 2017/18, well above the 2.8 per cent mark used by Deloitte.

“The report also summarises the constraints facing the current port facilities at Fremantle, Kwinana and Bunbury including operational capacity, road and rail networks, land availability and environmental and social considerations,” added Mayor Zelones.

Previously the taskforce sought feedback on the best freight network (road/rail) and port solutions to handle trade and freight transport needs.

A key east-west freight corridor route from Westport (Outer Harbour) in Kwinana, to the Tonkin Highway will be Rowley Road.

“The infrastructure associated with the project would have lasting benefits for our community and will provide employment opportunities for our fast growing region. It also has the ability to unlock the full potential of the South Forrestdale – Rowley Road industrial areas.”

Feedback on the report can be provided at mysaytransport.wa.gov.au/WWHFSF by Monday 21 January 2019.