Bunbury a model port: Buswell

Transport Minister Troy Buswell has pointed to grain heavyweight Bunge’s $40 million investment in the Bunbury Port as an example of what WA’s other port authorities should be aiming to achieve.

Mr Buswell last week flagged the possibility WA’s ports could transfer the control of assets to the private sector but denied it was a process of privatisation.

Bunge is investing up to $40 million in export facilities at the port, in a bid to ship out up to 500,000 tonnes of WA grain in its first two years.

The company will use the existing infrastructure, including a berth and WA Plantation Resources’ loader.

The West Australian reported Mr Buswell had suggested some of WA’s eight port authorities were already looking at transferring the control of assets to the private sector.

Mr Buswell’s announcement comes just weeks before the State Government begins rolling out the biggest shake-up to WA’s port authorities in decades.

The Bunbury, Albany and Esperance port authorities will be merged into one — the Southern Ports Authority.

This consolidation of the port authorities is due to begin on July 1.

Bunbury Port Authority chief executive officer Kevin Schellack said the port welcomed Bunge’s investment and continued to hold discussions with Lanco Infratech about plans for coal exports.

“The Bunge grain handling facility, which will utilise the existing berth 3 and associated ship loader, will essentially double the utilisation of the berth from the existing 22 woodchip vessels per annum,” Mr Schellack said.

Lanco has told the Times it would make a capital investment of between $800 million to $1 billion in the South West to bring its export plans to reality.

If successful in its bid to export up to 18 million tonnes of coal through Bunbury, Lanco is expected to build a new rail line from Collie to the harbour.

Bunbury Mayor David Smith called on Forrest MHR Nola Marino to work on securing Liberal Party commitments for the region’s major projects, including the port’s expansion, predicting a Liberal win in September’s election.