PORTS: Light but very vital cargo

Among six IA “pipeline”, as opposed to “priority”, projects, Oakajee Port common user facilities will get a $339m equity injection and the Darwin Port expansion is to receive $50m.
Though there was not a huge amount for ports as such, Ports Australia executive director David Anderson, who was in Canberra for the Budget, said there was no doubt that ports were a high priority for the Federal Government.
“We welcome the outcome, not so much for the quantum of funding which is going to ports, but the strategic outlook with the work that IA is doing around a national perspective on ports planning and regulatory framework,” Mr Anderson said.
Western Australian premier Colin Barnett said the federal funding was “now secure” and should mean the Oakajee project construction could start in 2011.
“There is still detailed design engineering work in progress as well as financial analysis, but I expect work start on Oakajee towards the end of next year,” Mr Barnett said.
Mr Barnett would not be drawn on a statement by Oakajee Port & Rail chief executive Christopher Eves that users might get a concession on tariffs at the port.
Northern Territory treasurer Delia Lawrie said the federal cash would join $100m in territory funding for Darwin’s port.
“This will allow a significant expansion of the port’s capacity – including new berthing and ship loading facilities,” Ms Lawrie said.
Port chief executive Robert Richie said that, with two federally-funded studies – on all-tide access and ships bigger than panamax – already underway, the funding would help the port take the next infrastructure development step.
Darwin also gained $9.8m in 2009-10 for approved medium capital works at the Darwin Naval Fuel Installation and RAAF Base, Darwin.