Anketell Port Development to Unlock Potential of West Pilbara

The Western Australian Government has today released the Anketell Port Master Plan, detailing plans for a major, multi-user and multi-commodity deep water port in the Pilbara.

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett said access to port space was an increasingly rare and valuable commodity in the Pilbara.

“Development of Anketell Port will help to unlock the potential of the West Pilbara by aiding further development of the State’s natural resources,” Mr Barnett said.

“This Master Plan is a clear guide for proponents who are seeking additional routes to bring ore to market. This may well be the last major new port in the Pilbara,” he added.

At full development, the Anketell Port would have capacity of about 350 million tonnes per year, around 20 per cent more than the total shipments through Port Hedland in 2012-13.

The Master Plan includes provisions for a substantial infrastructure corridor and more than 800 hectares of industrial land to support port activities and future mining operations. Initial environmental approvals for the site are in place, a native title agreement has been signed and an Aboriginal heritage survey is currently underway.

The Master Plan has been jointly developed by the Department of State Development and the Dampier Port Authority, who will continue to work collaboratively as the project progresses.

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Press Release, June 18, 2014